Many people rent out their homes for events like this and the Kentucky Derby. The amount of money people pay is unbelievable. I just visited several sites already advertising homes to rent during this event that are 5 to 15 miles away. Homes that are equivalent or less to ours going for...hold on to your hats...
$20,000-$25,000 for the week!
Now this may seem like a no-brainer since we are literally across the street from the event and could rake in some serious cash. But there are drawbacks.
You basically have to remove all your clothing and personal items - okay not that big of a deal.
You have to find other arrangements for yourself - not a big deal.
And your pets - a bigger deal.
You also have to trust your home and belongings to complete strangers for a week - a big deal.
My fears are not unfounded - our friends - The Traveling McMahans - did this for Derby last year and got ripped off with a bad check and a few items disappeared in the process. Not highly valuable ones, but nevertheless.
So you see my dilemma?
$25,000 keeps ringing in my ears - That is a helluva lot of money.
5 comments:
Perhaps you could do a background check and credit check beforehand. I think you can do this for about $50. That amount of money per week is crazy!! Jeez, you could pay part of your mortgage with that.
Seriously. It is hard to not think about doing it for that kind of cash.
I would totally do it!!!
Here's some advice from someone who rents her house out on a regular basis -
Have one room that is off limits that you can lock (if you have a 4 bedroom advertise a 3 bedroom) - start putting all valuables in that room room and install a good lock. Also start taking down all personal photos and put them in there too. Your renters don't want to see your vacation photos, they want the place to feel like a hotel suite. Charge a fair amount but be sure to factor in what it will cost to clean the place to your satisfaction. If you are renting the property for a couple grand or more what's a couple hundred to hire a crew to come in a professionally clean the place?
If it's something that you value that you can't replace - put it in the off limits room! (a lamp, grandmas chair, whatever...)
Good luck, your place looks like it is WALKING distance - that means even more $$$$$
Thanks for the great advice. I totally forgot about you doing that.
We had already decided the office would have to be locked because of the personal info on the computers. That would be a great room to use for other valuables (and liquor).
It isn't that I care about the cost of the liquor, but I don't want the liability issues.
Food? They can help theirself.
The professional cleaning is a great idea - before and after.
You might want to have the place cleaned daily just to have the housekeeper check in on the property.
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