It’s pretty amazing how far apps have come in the past few years, but especially in the past few months. Uber, Venmo, and the Wells Fargo app have all made being a Villanova student a little bit easier and our everyday lives’ a little bit better. So why is off campus housing still a process that includes a lot of paperwork, transactions being made through snail mail, and a lot of effort into finding and picking a place to live?
Finding an apartment or house that fits all of your needs and your picky roomies’ needs is extremely difficult, especially when you are all preoccupied with school work, meetings, formals, and college life. Sometimes were forced to settle for a living space that we don’t necessarily want. And this is not acceptable for Villanova students, we want the best of the best of the best.
Well, the solution has come!
HouzeMe, is a new app and website that connects students with landlords for off campus housing. The coolest part about HouzeMe is that it’s launching right here in the Philadelphia area. Even though two of the founders are Saint Joe’s alumni (the hawks are dead), we still love them for coming up with an idea that will make our lives so much easier.
So how does HouzeMe work?
The first step is to make a student account on HouzeMe.com. It takes about thirty seconds to enter your email and make up a password to create your student account. Once you have your account, you will be able to search your area and see what listings are available. The website gives you all the information you need to know including the amenities, description, availability, lease terms, # of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, cost per month, and even pictures! If you are interested in a certain space and have questions, you can click the “Contact the Landlord” button and an email box from your name to the landlord will quickly appear. If you don’t have any questions and are positive that listing is the space you want, you can click the “Apply for Rental” button. To simplify your rental search experience and to compare listings, there even is an option to favorite the listings you like. These listings will then appear under your “My Favorites” tab, giving you the opportunity to make sure you are absolutely happy with your final decision!
Meet the HouzeMe Founders
Chris Deluca, is the Chief Operating Officer of HouzeMe, from New Jersey. Even though he was a hawk, his Dad graduated from Villanova in 1975. Paul Manganella, another St. Joe’s alum, is the Chief Executive Officer of HouzeMe from Massachusetts. Chris and Paul realized the set backs in the rental industry when they were seniors renting off campus. Sheehan Gallagher joined the HouzeMe team as the Chief Financial Officer. He is from Massachusetts as well and has an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. He also has an MBA from Duke University.
Left to Right: Paul Manganella, Chris Deluca, and Sheehan Gallagher
Want a Part Time Job? Apply to become a HouzeMe Campus Rep
Being a Campus Representative for HouzeMe myself, it’s seriously an awesome gig. You have responsibilities such as finding landlord information, being a social entrepreneur for the company on campus, and getting students to create accounts on the site. You also get to work and talk with the amazing HouzeMe team, that helps you along the way and enables you to establish relationships with all of the workers that have expertise in various fields all over the country. For all you business-oriented students, this is an incredible opportunity to learn about the newest and fastest changing industry of technologic applications. You will also inherently gain experience in communication, advertising, and marketing skills. (Hint: it’s a perfect job to put on your resume). Not only do you gain experience, but you also get paid! Based on how well you are able to meet the requirements you will be paid through an app (obvi) so you get the money right away. This means you can have a little extra cash to go to Suburban Square or just to pay for the over priced drinks at the bar without feeling too guilty about swiping your debit card. And you’ll even receive HouzeMe apparel! And who doesn’t love freebies?!
Enter to win a $ 20 Chipotle gift card! If you do all of the following below, you will be entered into the Villanova HouzeMe Chipotle Gift Card raffle! Please email clairepeck@hercampus.com after you have done so. The winners will be announced on March 30th.
Create a Student Account at Houzeme.com or on the HouzeMe app!
Like the HouzeMe page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HouzeMe
Follow the HouzeMe page on Instagram: @houzeme
Follow the HouzeMe page on Twitter: @HouzeMe
(No spam emails! We promise)