Rentals during Inauguration week

@spalladino (17891)
United States
November 23, 2008 7:00pm CST
I'm really wishing I still owned the house in Maryland right about now. Millions of people coming to D.C. to witness history in the making and because of that there's not a hotel or motel room to be found. Folks living in D.C. and the surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia are taking advantage of this new, hot temporary rental market and are willing moving out of their own homes for the week...in exchange for a hefty fee. I've seen a 3bedroom/2bath townhouse in a not-so-nice area outside of D.C. going for $1,500 per night with a four night minimum...and if you call now you can be added to the waiting list incase the person who already has it doesn't pay the $3,000 security deposit in time. A townhouse on Capitol Hill is going for $5,000 per night, also with a four night minimum. I doubt that anyone here would be willing to pay such insane prices to see the inauguration but thinking about it did bring up a question. Could you see yourself paying an outrageously high price in order to witness an event live? Do you know now what it would be?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@camomom (7535)
• United States
24 Nov 08
That's outrages. Wow, I wish I still lived in Maryland also. I could use some funds like that. No, I wouldn't pay that kind of money for anything, that's nuts. Yes, it's a historic event but I can see it on TV just as well if not better then in person. Must be nice to have money to blow like that.
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@anniepa (27955)
• United States
25 Nov 08
Spall, I can see going to the Dolphins games more than the Redskins because at least it's warm there. I'm not going to sit and freeze for any football game! Annie
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I actually prefer watching a lot of events on tv instead of being there. My sister works for the Washington Redskins and gets comp tickets to all of the home games. The only game that I would ever have considered going to all the trouble to drive, park and schlep myself to a seat to witness live would have been one against Dallas...our arch enemies! My nephew has season tickets to the Miami Dolphins games, too, and he goes to every game...but he's younger and has more energy.
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@camomom (7535)
• United States
24 Nov 08
You get to see so much more on television then you do in person.
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@relundad (2310)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I wish that I could attend. I guess that I waited a few days too late to try and plan for it. I think it only took a few days for the commercial section to book up. I could not find even a flight out. There are several bus trips leaving here and those people will basically travel all night just to be in the vacinity of the inauguration. I would have paid the money to a commercial place but I am always leary of the private owned houses when traveling as you have no guarantee's for your money and where you are going to be living. I have put the word out to everyone that I know if they know someone personally that I could rent from. If something comes up, I will definitely still try to make it.
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@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Nov 08
It's nice that you want to attend and I'm sorry that you're having problems finding a place to stay. Have you checked the motels & hotels in the Maryland and Virginia? New Carrollton, for instance, has a Metro station that will take you into the city. If you look at a map of the Metro lines you will see the towns where the stations are located. Maybe you'll have some luck with that.
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@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Nov 08
That definitely would be something your son would remember for the rest of his life. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
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@relundad (2310)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Thank you I will check this information out. My son will be 10 on the 16th of January, I would love for him to witness this part in history live and in person. As a young african american boy, some day this will be significant to him. Thanks again for the information.
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@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
24 Nov 08
I wonder how many landlords are evicting people to clear the units for the visitors with deep pockets? I also wonder how many democrats with deep pockets are willing to shell out such rates while complaining that the government doesn't do enough to help the poor?
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@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Nov 08
It's not that easy to get rid of renters, especially those with leases. The landlord would have to file for an eviction and prove his/her case in court with cause. There may be some though who could recoup their losses from renters who aren't paying by doing just that and renting furnishings for a week.
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@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
26 Nov 08
Actually it has happened in every US city that has hosted the Olympics (except Salt Lake City, which was different because of the microscope the scandals put them under). Where there is a boatload of cash to be made, there is a way.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
25 Nov 08
I know all the hotels and motels raise their prices big time when there are Nascar Races but I've never heard of them being THAT high! I know of places like Holiday Inns or Econo Lodges that normally cost maybe $50-60 per night going up to $100-150 and they also often have a three or four night minimum. I have an aunt that lives in Virginia pretty close to D.C. and she had told me if I was ever coming down there I could stay with her. I'd love to be there but then again my luck I'd get mugged or something...lol! Annie
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
24 Nov 08
Absolutely not. I, however, don't see this inauguration as being any more historic than any of the past ones. It will all be aired on television, and I'm sure the cameras will be much closer than any of the people who attend will be.
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@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Nov 08
You may not feel that it is but apparently there are millions that do. I've never heard of the visitor overflow being so great that Maryland and Virginia couldn't handle it with the thousands of hotels & motels that are within a short distance to the Metro lines. I'd rather watch it on t.v., too, but if I wanted to witness it live, I have plenty of relatives up there.
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@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I can't believe that anyone can afford that with this economy. I think it's crazy and I wouldn't pay that much even if I could afford that. I know it's a huge event but, I really wish it wasn't just because of the economy.
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@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Nov 08
I can't believe it either but, according to the news report that started my initial search, folks are booking these places fast. My house was about 20 minutes from a Metro Station and a 15 minute ride from there to the White House. I could have rented it out and spent four days in a five star hotel at the beach. Only it will be cooooooold in Ocean City.... Ok, I feel better.
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