Comments on: US Homeowners Considering Taking in Boarders

By: huggy

huggy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:05:00 +0000

I have rented rooms before and found some real wacko’s out there renting the rooms. I hope vetting organizations are doing both sides of the trade. Always a buyer beware thing.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:56:00 +0000

Glad to hear people are being sensible about this, and that the stigma is going away somewhat. I rented part of the second floor of a retired couple’s house when I was in law school. The situation worked out wonderfully; the couple made $400 a month, I lived cheaply, and all of us had people to look after each others’ stuff while traveling. Win-win.

By: William Mitchell

William Mitchell — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:13:00 +0000

This is certainly true in our purportedly prosperous neighborhood near the University of California at Irvine.

A year ago, none of the 16 homes on our street had boarders. Now, at least 4 do. Three others are renting garage spaces, also up from zero a year ago.

So the sublet rate has gone from zero to over 40% in a single year. I'd call that significant.

By: Andre

Andre — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:20:00 +0000

I rented a room while I was in grad school. Worked out well for all involved: much cheaper for me than renting an apartment, and my schoolteacher landlady used the rent to summer in Europe.

By: a

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:17:00 +0000

Taking in boarders is not just an effect of housing price falls, it will also be yet another cause. The ratio (occupants/houses) goes up and (with a steady popoulation), the number of houses needed goes down, putting more downward pressure on prices.

By: Tom lindmark

Tom lindmark — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:15:00 +0000

So what. My folks did the same thing when things got tough. They went on to build a very nice life for themselves.

Actually makes me feel better about the country. Not everyone is fixated on blaming someone.

Maybe there is hope.

By: FT Woods

FT Woods — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:08:00 +0000

Funny you should say that. I got hit up for change tonight by two guys who said they just got off a freight train from the east hoping to find work. I don’t doubt they were telling the truth as the central train yards aren’t so far from where I live.

Re: boarders – my family took in college students during the 1970’s. It was a good deal for all involved.

By: Bill C

Bill C — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:09:00 +0000

What’s next? Hitching rides on freight trains?