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Luvnlifelady
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 289,166
December 2006
Posts: 17,318
Layouts: 7
Loc: Southern California
 |  Posted: 2/6/2013 9:46:28 AM
I'm curious about this. I'd never heard of it until I saw an article online. It's a website to help connect homeowners with travelers that need a room for a night or short term (like a motel/hotel).
Those that stay are able to leave reviews. By looking at some listings, it looks like some homeowners allow use of their common areas/kitchen while others just provide a coffee pot/microwave.
I'm intrigued by the idea since my sister that rents from us may be leaving this summer. I like the idea of renting out that room/bathroom by the night instead of permanently.
That way, if we need a break for some reason, we simply don't rent it out. We can also probably make more $ than we are now.
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KeithUrbanLovinPea
PeaFixture
PeaNut 29,932
February 2002
Posts: 3,118
Layouts: 0
Loc: Houston, Texas
 | Posted: 2/6/2013 10:23:04 AM
I met a couple last weekend that uses it as renters. Even rented an apartment in nyc for their wedding. |
Lisa in Texas/KULP
Mommy to two beautiful girls and Urban Crazy since 2004!
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GrinningCat
Proudly Canadian
PeaNut 43,061
July 2002
Posts: 31,535
Layouts: 2
 | Posted: 2/6/2013 10:25:20 AM
Never ever ever. Sounds foolish and dangerous. | |
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BudgetMama
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 138,670
March 2004
Posts: 2,156
Layouts: 2
Loc: Oregon
 | Posted: 2/6/2013 10:28:30 AM
My sil in Berlin does something like this, but it's through a university, and not a travel website. | |
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sugarcoated
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 140,176
April 2004
Posts: 2,095
Layouts: 0
Loc: At Work
| Posted: 2/6/2013 12:09:34 PM
We rent a room in a home for my mom when she visits for lengthy periods. I accidentally found a website for homeowners who do this and we decided to try it out. Works out lovely.
We are doing the same for my DD's wedding except that its a two floor apartment - no owners will be present. We have it for the long weekend and will use it in various purposes, including for the girls to get ready. We just need the extra space. | |
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GoBucs!
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 16,888
June 2001
Posts: 2,802
Layouts: 8
Loc: CNY
| Posted: 2/6/2013 12:25:03 PM
My brother does something like this. He rents out room in his apartment. He's had quite a few people stay with him. |
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Ca-Woman
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 91,974
June 2003
Posts: 2,883
Layouts: 4
Loc: Amongst the trees
| Posted: 2/7/2013 1:23:10 AM
I think it sounds good in theory but I'm way too chicken to let strangers into my house. |
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Nicole in TX
The Peas did what we do and went insane over it
PeaNut 16,696
June 2001
Posts: 18,162
Layouts: 65
Loc: Not so obvious
| Posted: 2/7/2013 2:45:47 AM
I know someone that does this. He lives in a tiny apartment in Berkeley and rents the whole thing. He then sleeps on the couch in his office. (Don't ask!). He makes $$ from a few airbnb rentals and uses that to pay his rent. HA! I am sure his landlord would be thrilled if he knew.  |
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lisabassi
PeaNut
PeaNut 162,907
August 2004
Posts: 124
Layouts: 0
Loc: France
 | Posted: 2/8/2013 2:04:25 PM
I love the site, but I use it when I travel instead of staying in hotels. For instance I travelled to London last year, and instead of paying for a hotel and having to eat out every meal, I was able to rent a cute apartment. It was great fun going to the grocery store and deciding what to cook each evening, especially when you're in another country . Also we were three people, and a lot of European hotel rooms are only for two.
This summer I'm planning a trip to California, and have rented houses in both San Francisco, and in Monterey. We'll be 8-9 people who want to spend time together, and sitting together around the table for breakfast in PJ's is so much nicer that being in 3 different hotel rooms. I imagine we'll eat out in the evening as SF seems to have some great restaurants.
It's true that I feel more comfortable renting a whole apartment or house, than staying with someone while they are in their house. If there was a separate entrance, and the bathroom was connected to the bedroom I probably would be fine about it.
I feel very secure when booking through airbnb in that you can only write a comment about someone's place, or about the person who came to stay if you have atually reserved through the site. I got a good recommendation after my first stay, and now it seems easier to have my requests approved. So, you can be careful about who you let into your house.
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Nyxish
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 265,518
June 2006
Posts: 2,769
Layouts: 1
Loc: mid New York state
| Posted: 2/8/2013 3:17:18 PM
That's cool! We have hosted couch surfers before, and it was a good experience both times. sigh...shame i don't live in a more desirable travel destination....  |
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When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming!", I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed!" - G. Stoddart
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Georgiapea
Mom to the Wild Things.
PeaNut 96,783
July 2003
Posts: 26,414
Layouts: 0
Loc: Poss-a-Dillo Hill, Ozark, AL
| Posted: 2/8/2013 3:22:13 PM
Someone in Roswell, NM does this and my DH stayed there. It is someone who works at the university and DH and he were at one time co-workers. | |
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Lexica
Cervixless Pea
PeaNut 77,792
March 2003
Posts: 9,306
Layouts: 0
Loc: Orange County, California
| Posted: 2/8/2013 3:51:20 PM
I had never heard of this website before this. I just spent some time checking it out and it is very interesting. They provide $1,000,000 in insurance should a guest damage or steal something. I would absolutely use this when vacationing and wish I had known of it sooner.
I am going to discuss this with my friends. I wouldn't mind renting my home out and going to sleep at a friends place and offering them the same opportunity. I would have to do this for a while before considering being home during a rental. Very interesting idea. | |
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JETsCAT
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 173,742
October 2004
Posts: 6,219
Layouts: 5
Loc: TEXAS!! :D
| Posted: 2/8/2013 3:55:07 PM
I've got friends that have used both sides, stayed in LA for $20 a night and the wife manages vacation rentals in Hawaii and lists her homes on it as well. |
CAT
****With all the time and energy we've spent dieting we could have built a small fat-loving civilization!****
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GoBucs!
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 16,888
June 2001
Posts: 2,802
Layouts: 8
Loc: CNY
| Posted: 2/8/2013 4:19:01 PM
My brother is a member at this website: Couch Surfing
If you're ever travelling through Arkansas and want to sleep on my brother's couch, let me know! |
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