Quick Pitch: RentSocial is a new social platform aiming to makeover the apartment hunt process. RentSocial wants to make the search for rental space more social before and after you move in.
Genius Idea: Share what you love about prospective properties directly from RentSocial onto Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Pinterest.
RentSocial is a social platform for individuals looking for apartments. On the website, people can directly connect with property management firms and share details about their future homes.
"It's a completely disruptive model where we allow property management companies to cater directly towards prospective renters," Eric Broughton, president of RentSocial told Mashable. "The genesis of RentSocial, or why we wanted to build the platform, is we saw a great need in the marketplace."
RentSocial appeals to the connected generation who like to share aspects of their lives with friends and family, which is important in the decision making process. According to Broughton, there are more than 100 million apartment renters in the United States, with about 53 million of them 30 years old and younger.
RentSocial hopes to change the way people are looking for apartments. The website has listings showing complete profiles of properties including photos, floor plans, price ranges and more. Directly pin floor plans onto Pinterest or post pictures onto Facebook. Get help deciding your next apartment from your family and friends.
In other industries, customers expect a ton of information about products they are looking at buying including cars, iTunes music and various items Amazon, but are not particularly concerned about reviews when it comes to homes. The co-founders of RentSocial wanted to bring this model of fluid reviews, open communication and sharing to apartment rentals.
There's data about business centers, child care, door attendants, saunas, Internet, garages and lease terms for each property listing. Reviews are written by approved residents who live or have lived in a building.
The property comparison feature lines-up up to 10 apartments, so you can compare amenities.
"Instead of going to a listings site, then a review site, and then an email to share info, it's all on one platform. There are ratings and reviews all there and they can see a voice of the property," Broughton says. "Find a property, say you are interested in it and it goes directly to the property management company, it doesn't have to go to a broker."
RentSocial is free to all rental hunters as a web app. The creators of RentSocial say the mobile application will be out in a few weeks on iOS and Android markets. The app is available for all 50 states. There are more than 5,000 apartment buildings available users can view on the site and more than 1.5 million apartment units on the network.
The social platform isn't just for apartment hunters but aims to help renters after they have found their perfect apartment. Consumers will be able to pay rent directly on the network with a rent program facilitated by RentPayment.com. Plus, connect with approved neighbors on the social network to schedule get-togethers or ask for a cup of sugar.
"The greatest innovative we have is the solution we are providing," said Andy Hamilton, CTO of RentSocial. "We are innovative in that we looked at what we felt is missing from an apartment dweller's experience. Not only when they are looking for apartments, but when they are living in apartments."
The social network is driven by the ability to use major social networks within this one platform tailored for renters.
Image courtesy of Flickr, Alex Dram
Series Supported by Microsoft BizSpark
