Students searching for a place to park their cars close to campus might not have to look hard for a spot, but they might find themselves paying more than they anticipated.

Many local realtors are looking to fill empty parking spots downtown and some students are quickly taking them, as parking through the university is no longer available.

Storage permits for those students living off campus, but wanting to store their vehicle on campus, were sold out as of July 17, a Penn State Parking Office employee said.

The permits are sold on first come, first serve basis to students who have completed 28 or more credits.

The cost of the permit, $110 per semester or $220 for the year, is typically cheaper for students when compared to other local parking options.

As of now, there are 250 students on a waiting list still hoping to get a spot for the semester, although only about 25 are projected to actually get spots, the parking office spokesman said.

Storage parking through the university, however, is not the only option for students living off campus.

Many realtors downtown have spots available for their tenants, but many have a monthly charge in addition to the rent.

Buck Young (sophomore-landscape architecture) said that although parking is offered to him as a tenant living in Gateway Center, 646 E. College Ave., the cost of a year lease, $720, is more than he will pay.

He has been parking in various places around town since he arrived in State College last week and is looking for a place to park for the semester until he can get a pass through the university in the spring.

"I just think it's ridiculous for people who live off campus (to have so many problems with parking)," Young said. "They're the ones who need parking the most."

While most upperclassmen bring their cars to State College, some of them seem to escape the parking hassles.

Josh Musser (junior-marketing), who lives in Heritage Oaks Apartments, off Vairo Boulevard, has two parking spots included in his rent. He said he would not keep his car there if he did not have the spaces.

"I don't think I could pay the money (for a parking spot)," Musser said. "It's bad enough paying for rent and food and everything."

Parking at downtown apartments can be very expensive for tenants but it is also a convenience for students to have their cars readily accessible. Other realty companies often rent spaces out to students even if they are not tenants of those particular buildings.

Associated Realty Property Management, 456 E. Beaver Ave., has several spots still available downtown and near West campus, although they were selling quickly, an employee said.