By: KeyCrew Media
Touring student housing with a son or daughter can feel like a checklist exercise. Parents compare kitchens, furniture, gyms, and study rooms, then weigh those features against the monthly rent. Those details matter, but they are not always what shapes a student’s year.
Teddy Abdelmalek, SVP of Business Development at HH Red Stone, says families often focus on what is easiest to see and overlook what has the most effect on daily life. Here is what he recommends parents and students pay closer attention to when comparing options.
Expectations Have Changed
Abdelmalek says resident and parent expectations have risen in recent years because students compare housing to every other consumer experience they have.
“They expect immediate communication, transparency, easy digital transactions, and fast service,” he said. Parents, who are often helping pay for the decision, expect professionalism and predictability.
That does not mean a property has to be luxurious. “The experience needs to feel organized,” Abdelmalek said. “Today’s residents have very little tolerance for uncertainty or poor communication.” For families, this means the way a property communicates is as important as what it looks like.
Look Past The Countertops
According to Abdelmalek, parents sometimes overvalue what is easiest to see, such as countertops, furniture, or amenity spaces, while undervaluing the quality of the management team.
He encourages parents to ask a few specific questions on every tour:
– How quickly are maintenance requests completed?
– How does the property communicate during emergencies?
– How is move-in day managed?
– How long has the onsite team been at the property?
“Those answers may ultimately have more impact on their student’s experience than whether the kitchen has quartz countertops,” he said.
A good leasing team should be comfortable answering these questions. Abdelmalek says the best operators acknowledge what parents care about and then add context, rather than dismissing their concerns. For example, a leasing agent might say the amenity package is important and then walk the family through how the property handles maintenance, communication, and after-hours issues. When a tour includes that kind of explanation, it is a good sign about how the property is run.
Why The Cheapest Option Can Cost More
Rent is the number most families compare first, but Abdelmalek says it is only one part of the real cost of living somewhere.
Transportation, utilities, parking, furniture, internet, safety, and even time all have value. “A property that is $75 cheaper per month but requires a car, has unpredictable utility bills, or creates constant maintenance problems may actually cost the resident more,” he said.
His advice is to compare the total cost and the total experience, not just the advertised rent. Ask what is included, how utilities are billed, whether parking costs extra, and how far the property is from campus on foot or by transit.
Choosing The Right Fit
Abdelmalek says there is no single best property for every student. The right choice depends on how a student actually wants to live.
“For one student, that may mean being five minutes from campus and surrounded by activity,” he said. “For another, it may mean a quieter environment, more space, or a lower monthly cost.”
He believes the best student housing property management companies are honest about what their property offers and help families decide whether it matches what they value most. Before touring, it helps for parents and students to agree on their top priorities, such as location, budget, quiet, or space, so they can judge each property against the same list. Families can view HH Red Stone’s communities on its portfolio page.
HH Red Stone is the property management arm of HH Group, managing approximately 10,000 beds across multiple asset classes including student housing, multifamily, affordable, and mixed-use properties nationwide. After a decade of exclusively managing HH Group’s owned portfolio, the company launched its third-party management vertical to serve other owners with the same institutional-grade approach it applies to its own assets. HH Red Stone’s operating philosophy centers on “functional hospitality,” treating residents as CEOs and maintaining operations with the discipline and consistency that drives sustainable success. Website: www.hhredstone.com
Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.
