Austin's Small Planet Guide Offers One-Stop Apartment Search

Austin, TX, October 08, 2006 --(PR.com)-- Navigating the search for the perfect Austin apartment can leave renters bouncing off the walls, but one young Austin entrepreneur has used his own apartment-hunting experiences while a student at the University of Texas to launch a new one-stop search site for the growing Austin apartment market.

David Whitworth, a recent MBA graduate of University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business had the same frustrating experience many Austin movers and newcomers have when they set out to find an Austin apartment that is the perfect fit for their lifestyle and pocketbook. As he drove through neighborhoods, visited a confusing maze of promotional websites and bugged friends for tips and advice, Whitworth realized, "There has to be a better way!"

Why not put the skills he was learning as an MBA candidate to solve the problem? Whitworth engaged several fellow students to do market research, and called on other friends and developers to help design and build the website. Out of real world frustrations and newly learned business skills, Small Planet Guide was born.

"The goal of Small Planet Guide is to be a one-stop shop for Austin apartment hunters," Whitworth says. "We want it to be the only place someone needs to go, not just to find the right apartment at the right price, but also in the neighborhood that feels like home."

Small Planet Guide offers detailed descriptions about Austin neighborhoods, their vibe, the special places that make them unique, local coffee shops and restaurants, and their everyday resources -- grocery stores, transportation etc. -- that are vital when considering where to live in busy Austin.

The website plays no favorites. "Many other websites will only show you apartments that pay big advertising fees to be on their list, or just places that pay finder's fees for locators -- not Small Planet Guide. We want all apartments in Austin to be listed on our website," Whitworth says.

The company generates income by offering several levels of listings to apartments, such as the basic $99 plan for a simple one-time, no-limit updating annual listing or a free listing that pays a finder's fee.

"At Small Planet Guide we are offering free, no hassle searches to apartment-seekers, backed up by lots of content about Austin, including links to events, restaurants, entertainment and tips on how to get the most out of the famed Austin lifestyle," Whitworth said.

In the spirit of Austin, Small Planet Guide also pledges to donate at least 10 percent of its profits to Austin charities that focus on housing and educational needs. "Plus, if apartment seekers search and find an Austin apartment that pays a finder's fee -- look for the star next to the name -- the site shares the fee with you, or you can dedicate your share to our charitable donations," Whitworth said.

Whitworth's hope is that he is not only creating a valuable resource for apartment-hunters but a virtual community where Austin's apartment dwellers can offer their view of the neighborhood, tips and insights for people who are moving to Austin or already living in the city and is looking for a new home in tune with their personality and pocketbook. "After all, "Whitworth says, "Austin is a natural Small Planet city!"

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