Survey data helps apartments ID what UNLV students want

Like many who struggle to find student-friendly housing options near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, recent graduate Drew Brunson once endured tedious commutes that made it difficult to socialize outside class.

"It didn't feel like going to college," said Brunson, 27, who this year completed a bachelor's degree in business marketing. "It felt like a job I'd have to go put my time in for before going back home to my parents."

Now intent on luring future students to live closer to UNLV, Brunson spearheads a fledgling project called Resiratings that aims to develop and promote university-friendly apartment complexes around the campus.

The Resiratings system, devised a year ago by local real estate firm Northcap, primarily uses survey data from about 250 students to determine which living amenities are most desired around UNLV and encourages nearby properties to install them. Apartment complexes that meet most of the students' requests — such as study areas, communal kitchens and full-time security services — are then promoted through the Resiratings website, with the goal of narrowing down more than 100 options near the university.

Listed among nine Resiratings-approved properties is Skyline Parc Apartments, a 192-unit complex located about half a mile north of UNLV which just completed $400,000 in upgrades recommended by Northcap. The investment has paid off, with foot traffic at Skyline's leasing office tripling since the renovation was completed in March, according to employees.

"To be a part of Drew's program, we had to change a few things on the property, like changing our maintenance shop into a fitness center and putting in things like a student study area," said Tiare Harline, who oversees Skyline as senior vice president for Next Wave Property Management. "We're cleaning house and investing a ton to make it a fun atmosphere for students."

Northcap is carrying out Resiratings services free of charge while employees develop their methodology, though the company aims to eventually charge properties for survey data. Brunson hopes the service will get an endorsement from UNLV, though university officials have been reluctant to partner with the private company.

Brunson has plenty of support from students and alumni who are rooting for Resiratings' growth.

"When I reflect back on my college experience, I think it's been great, but one thing I wish we had was a lot more (apartment complexes) that are university-friendly," said Matt Kahn, a 22-year-old senior studying political science. "Without a doubt in my mind, this is a progressive project that's perfect for the future of student living."

Kahn, who shares a house with a group of friends in Henderson, says he hopes the system will be fully functional by the time he begins pursuing a law degree at the campus next year. He wants to move closer, and he hopes his younger sister — a UNLV sophomore — will also consider living nearby.

"I've taken a tour of a couple of the places they're working with, and I love what they're doing," Kahn said. "We don't have the capacity to house a lot of students on campus, and it's a really important part of the college experience."

Contact Ana Ley at aley@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512. Follow her: @la__ley