I was thinking of renting my rowhouse near the Braddock Rd Metro in Del Ray but was wondering if anyone is actually having any response to their ads. I realize many of you live further out and probably aren't trying to rent your place but maybe you heard from someone else who has? Any feedback is welcome, thanks!

I just inaugurated a new toilet in my home. Best shit I have taken all week.

Did you do an upper decker?

Del Ray Resident Wrote:
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> I was thinking of renting my rowhouse near the
> Braddock Rd Metro in Del Ray but was wondering if
> anyone is actually having any response to their
> ads. I realize many of you live further out and
> probably aren't trying to rent your place but
> maybe you heard from someone else who has? Any
> feedback is welcome, thanks!


We rented a spare bedroom and a sofabed in our finished basement for three nights for $1950 through Craigslist to a group of four people from Ohio. Our house is around the corner from GMU and we included shuttle service to the Metro on the 20th along with an open pantry. I think that we had 10-15 inquiries, a handful of them serious, and rented to the first people to make a 50% cash deposit.

No, it was not an upper decker. I reserve those for parties hosted by FU regulars. In fact, I like to leave special diarhea upper deckers at these events.

Fairfax22032 Wrote:

> We rented a spare bedroom and a sofabed in our
> finished basement for three nights for $1950
> through Craigslist to a group of four people from
> Ohio. Our house is around the corner from GMU and
> we included shuttle service to the Metro on the
> 20th along with an open pantry. I think that we
> had 10-15 inquiries, a handful of them serious,
> and rented to the first people to make a 50% cash
> deposit.

Crazy. Do you know these people? Have you done a background check? I hope they're not serial killers or ex-cons. What if they bring drugs into your home and 'stash' and forget them...and you get busted for them?
"They're not mine officer!" yeah right...

On a similar note, I hope you're not bringing strangers into your home if you have children living there as well.

At least try to check them out here: http://criminalsearches.com/

Its free, but it's not comprehensive....

Fairfax22032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Del Ray Resident Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I was thinking of renting my rowhouse near the
> > Braddock Rd Metro in Del Ray but was wondering
> if
> > anyone is actually having any response to their
> > ads. I realize many of you live further out
> and
> > probably aren't trying to rent your place but
> > maybe you heard from someone else who has? Any
> > feedback is welcome, thanks!
>
>
> We rented a spare bedroom and a sofabed in our
> finished basement for three nights for $1950
> through Craigslist to a group of four people from
> Ohio. Our house is around the corner from GMU and
> we included shuttle service to the Metro on the
> 20th along with an open pantry. I think that we
> had 10-15 inquiries, a handful of them serious,
> and rented to the first people to make a 50% cash
> deposit.

Thanks for the response. Is that $1950 total? Or per night?

Del Ray resident Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the response. Is that $1950 total? Or
> per night?


It is $1950 total. We offered the guest room for $425 and the sofabed for $225 with a two-night minimum. It is a family with two kids.

Dangerous Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Crazy. Do you know these people? Have you done a
> background check? I hope they're not serial
> killers or ex-cons. What if they bring drugs into
> your home and 'stash' and forget them...and you
> get busted for them?
> "They're not mine officer!" yeah right...
>
> On a similar note, I hope you're not bringing
> strangers into your home if you have children
> living there as well.

Nope, don't know them, but we spoke a couple of times and I feel pretty comfortable with them. It is a family with two kids, 11 and 8. I really didn't feel the need to run a background check since they seem like your typical Midwestern family. I have a pretty good sense about people (not so much my wife who trusts EVERYONE) which is why we didn't respond to several inquiries. For example, we didn't want anyone under 25.

Thanks, however, for the concern.

Timothy McVie was from the Mid West.

McVeigh was from upstate New York, actually.

I wouldn't worry about a family of axe murderers showing up, but I'd seriously hide any valuables or things that could break easily.

I don't think it's weird to cash in and rent your place out, but I do think it's strange that people are actually comfortable staying in the home of a complete stranger. I can't imagine wanting to do that.

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't think it's weird to cash in and rent your
> place out, but I do think it's strange that people
> are actually comfortable staying in the home of a
> complete stranger. I can't imagine wanting to do
> that.


I would tend to agree with you on that and I cannot imagine ever doing this myself. I know that this couple was heavily involved in the Obama campaign in Dayton and I think that there is something about the the people who were drawn to his candidacy and believe that January 20th will be an historic day that they want to be a part of. Personally, I will be watching the events on my 50-inch plasma.

Also, I know that some (many?) people here did not vote for Obama or feel that he is more style than substance and hope that my comments above do not take this thread into a flame war.

>
>
> I would tend to agree with you on that and I
> cannot imagine ever doing this myself. I know
> that this couple was heavily involved in the Obama
> campaign in Dayton and I think that there is
> something about the the people who were drawn to
> his candidacy and believe that January 20th will
> be an historic day that they want to be a part of.
> Personally, I will be watching the events on my
> 50-inch plasma.
>
> Also, I know that some (many?) people here did not
> vote for Obama or feel that he is more style than
> substance and hope that my comments above do not
> take this thread into a flame war.

I agree that I could never see myself traveling from far away to pay thousands to stay in a stragers house to take part in the mob-scene that DC will be during the inauguration. Is it really worth it? Is it fun? Maybe i am taking it for granted because I have lived here in DC almost my whole life, but I am with you as far as watching the event on TV from the comfort of home.

Del Ray Resident Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was thinking of renting my rowhouse near the
> Braddock Rd Metro in Del Ray but was wondering if
> anyone is actually having any response to their
> ads. I realize many of you live further out and
> probably aren't trying to rent your place but
> maybe you heard from someone else who has? Any
> feedback is welcome, thanks!


Bill Ayers is in my basement. He's not renting and how he got there, I'll never know.

To make them feel at home you may want to hang up a couple of those car air fresheners.

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't think it's weird to cash in and rent your
> place out, but I do think it's strange that people
> are actually comfortable staying in the home of a
> complete stranger. I can't imagine wanting to do
> that.

People do this every day, and for free, even....

http://www.couchsurfing.com/


That being said, I'm renting a Portable On Demand storage box, loading up all my valuables and personal items for the week, and getting $9,000 for my townhouse.

I probably could have gotten more since I'm ten miles driving distance from the white house, but hell, $9,000 for a week is easy cash. I can crash at a friend's house and give him $500 for the trouble.

The people renting my place worked on his campaign in Colorado, they're all in their 40's and they paid a $10,000 security deposit (and the check already cleared). The 3 who signed the lease all had 750+ FICOs, too.

oops



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2008 05:36AM by When will it end.

Fairfax22032 Wrote:
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> I think that we had 10-15 inquiries, a handful of them serious,
> and rented to the first people to make a 50% cash
> deposit.

Interesting, my TH may be vacant in Jan - what was the duration people were asking the most, couple of nights or more like a week?

It seemed like 4-5 nights was typical with people arriving on Friday or Saturday and leaving on Wednesday. We really didn't want people around for more than three days which is why we opted for the family from Ohio that is coming in on Sunday and leaving early Wednesday.

I hope y'all checked with your homeowners' insurance carriers.

There may be exclusions for operating commercial ventures on the insured property.

tubby Wrote:
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> I hope y'all checked with your homeowners'
> insurance carriers.
>
> There may be exclusions for operating commercial
> ventures on the insured property.


Jesus...lighten up! Renting out a bedroom for a couple of nights is hardly a "commercial venture". Would you like me to collect the 4% Fairfax County lodging tax, too?

I rented out my garage for two days for $1500

Fairfax22032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tubby Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I hope y'all checked with your homeowners'
> > insurance carriers.
> >
> > There may be exclusions for operating
> commercial
> > ventures on the insured property.
>
>
> Jesus...lighten up! Renting out a bedroom for a
> couple of nights is hardly a "commercial venture".
> Would you like me to collect the 4% Fairfax
> County lodging tax, too?


So, you don't think your "guests" would sue the living shit out of you if they get hurt in your house?

Read your policy to make sure you're covered in that event.

Nah, I wouldn't collect the Fairfax lodging tax...that would open a can of worms, such as no BPOL license and zoning violations.

tubby Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So, you don't think your "guests" would sue the
> living shit out of you if they get hurt in your
> house?
>
> Read your policy to make sure you're covered in
> that event.
>


Or you could just put a liability clause in the lease agreement.

Bob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Or you could just put a liability clause in the
> lease agreement.


Which is exactly what we did, mainly because we have a couple of dogs. Very friendly dogs who will most likely go into hiding with strangers around, but you never know. I had an attorney friend draft up some simple language that he felt was sufficient without making the rental agreement into a reason NOT to rent from us.

Ask your "attorney friend" if releases of liability are ever overturned in court.

(hint: the answer is YES)

And you'd still have to defend the suit if brought (you can sue anybody for anything) even if the release is upheld. And maybe defend it on your own dime if your insurer denies coverage.

Hey, if you want to gamble, I don't give a shit. I'm just saying that stuff can happen that can cost you way more than you're making with this enterprise. But maybe I'm jaded by all the years spent in the employ of a major insurer (I've seen it ALL,dudes!).

Similarly, I've always marveled at the risks "slug line" drivers take when they load two or three total strangers into their car (often insured with only the minimum limits of liability coverage required by law)...and head out to do battle with the worst traffic and crazy drivers in the country. All to use HOV lanes and save a few minutes. They're CRAZY!

Oh, and be sure to declare your windfall on your tax return next year.

You never know who's reading this stuff!

tubby Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh, and be sure to declare your windfall on your
> tax return next year.
>
> You never know who's reading this stuff!


Dude, did someone piss in your oatmeal this morning? Thanks for the concern, but I think that I am all set.

It sounds like he's pissed because he has no rooms to rent out and others are making money off it, but not him.

When will it end Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It sounds like he's pissed because he has no rooms
> to rent out and others are making money off it,
> but not him.


I'll bet I own more property in Fairfax County than all of you put together.

I don't know where I come accross as "pissed"....I don't care if you live or die. Just noting things that obviously you all have never thought about.

GOODBYE!

tubby Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'll bet I own more property in Fairfax County
> than all of you put together.

What? More than veryone on FFXU? Unlikely, but I would be quite impressed if it was true.

> I don't know where I come accross as "pissed"....I
> don't care if you live or die. Just noting things
> that obviously you all have never thought about.
>

I never said that you were "pissed", you just come across like that cranky old man who is always yelling at kids to get off of his lawn. I am sure that you are smarter than all of us, but I don't think that anyone is suggesting that it would be a good idea to invite random strangers into our homes without some due diligence. At the same time, I am not that paranoid that I feel that everyone out there is a total threat like the members of the tinfoil hat brigade.