Related Realty today announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Chicago-based StudentSpace, the city’s only apartment-finding service tailored exclusively to graduate students in search of quality rental housing throughout downtown Chicago and neighborhoods like Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Hyde Park, as well as north suburban Evanston. The affiliation expands the existing service platform offered by Related Realty, one of the fastest-growing residential brokerages in Chicago.

“At Related Realty, we pride ourselves on our ability to develop long-term relationships with clients through our highly personalized approach,” said Jeanine McShea, vice president and managing broker of Related Realty. “Our partnership with StudentSpace is a natural extension of the traditional brokerage services our firm has been providing to buyers and sellers throughout Chicago, allowing us to establish those relationships sooner and bridge the gap between renting and owning.”

Established in 2004, StudentSpace conducts apartment searches for thousands of students from more than 20 area graduate programs each year, helping them find safe, affordable housing close to their schools and/or with access to public transportation that can get them to their classes. The company’s clientele includes a mix of U.S. and international students, some of whom tour and lease units remotely via Skype, FaceTime and other video-based services.

“Our decade of experience gives us a deep understanding of what students are looking for in terms of location, amenities and, most importantly, price point,” said Tyler Roth, principal and broker at StudentSpace. “Because so many graduate students are moving to Chicago from other cities and, in some cases, other countries, they rely on us to be their eyes and ears and guide them through the rental process from start to finish.”

While a majority of StudentSpace’s placements are in high-rise residences, it also helps students find individual rooms, condominiums, lofts and single-family homes.

“We represent clients of all ages and in different stages of life, so we realize the needs of someone who has just completed their undergraduate studies will be very different from a renter who is married with young children,” said Roth. “This is another thing that sets us apart from the typical apartment-finding service, where quantity sometimes trumps quality. Instead of focusing solely on the real estate, we do what’s best for the client. For that reason, you won’t find a list of available units on our website, because we’re not trying to steer students toward homes that aren’t conducive to their day-to-day needs.”

StudentSpace’s expertise has allowed it to establish relationships with some of Chicago’s most prestigious academic institutions, including Northwestern University, DePaul University, Loyola University, the University of Chicago and the John Marshall Law School. Similarly, MedResidences, a sister service of StudentSpace that specializes in rental housing for medical students and graduates going through residency and fellowship programs, also has relationships with the city’s largest hospitals, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

“Our affiliation with StudentSpace is mutually beneficial because it allows Related Realty to expand its rental brokerage services while making it easier for StudentSpace to continue working with clients long after they finish school,” said McShea. “Now, graduates looking to establish roots in Chicago as they start new careers and families have the ability to work with a familiar team when transitioning from renting to owning, making them much more comfortable with the process.”

About Related Realty
Related Realty, the residential brokerage division of Related Midwest, is an affiliate of The Related Companies, the most prominent privately owned real estate firm in the United States. A full-service brokerage that is home to Chicago’s top-producing agents, Related Realty strives to uphold Related’s reputation for excellence, building on the company’s 40-year history as a global lifestyle firm defined by innovation in all aspects of design, development, service and wellness. The expertise of Related Realty’s agents, along with the firm’s industry-leading standards and deep knowledge of the Chicago market, allow Related Realty to deliver unparalleled service throughout all stages of the transaction, ensuring the highest level of client satisfaction.