OK, you have committed to renting an entire shorehouse for the summer in Sea Isle City, New Jersey (or Avalon or Wildwood, or wherever.) You've committed yourself to tens of thousands of dollars. You need to find roommates or you'll be broke.
The bane of anyone who takes the responsibility of running a shorehouse is finding roommates and then getting them to pay. There is a lot of pressure to find people because your money, and often the money of others, is on the line. The closer you get to the number of roommates you want, the less you'll have to pay for the house.
There are a number of ways to find beach roommates. Here are some suggestions for finding beach roommates
1. Ask other "shore-people" within your network of aquaintences. People who spend summer weekends renting at the shore are die hards. They also switch homes like baseball players switch teams. If you've spend summers at the shore, you'll know these people. Find out if anyone is looking to leave last summer's house for a new beach house. Finding another shore person is good because 1) You might already know their personality 2) You might be able to ask their last shore house what kind of person they are and if they pay on-time 3) This person is familiar with the shore culture and knows what to expect
2. Ask friends that have visited but never 'did' the shore. Visit a shore house once and your hooked. Ask these people who've been down the shore before. They might say 'no' but I assure you they will wish they could. Everyone who comes to the shore as a guest has told me they wish they could spend the summer like I do. This is what makes them a good lead to ask.
If they say 'yes' you've scored big! Getting friends in your summer home is always more comfortable than rolling the dice with strangers.
3. Ask friends and acquaintances outside the shore. Just like in #2, it always is better if you get someone you know.
4. Ask other people who run shore houses. Very similar to #1 except you are focusing on the so-called 'leader' or 'leaders' of other beach houses. These are the people who collect the rent, sign the lease and otherwise tend to take the most responsibility. They tend to have their finger on the pulse of not only their house but other homes as well. They can tell you if they are losing roommates in their own home or know of people leaving other shore houses.
5. Ask real estate agents that are located at your shore point. I've actually never done this when looking for people to fill 'my' beach house. I have done it when looking to get into some else's beach house. That said, it is worth a try. Ask a local realtor if they know of anyone interested in being part of your shore house. If they don't know of any, leave them your number in case they come up with someone.
Keep in mind, you'll likely be bringing on a stranger (rather common at the shore) so be sure this person is a right fit for your house. .
6. Social Network. FB etc. Do it. Use social network sites to get the word out.
7. Craigslist, etc. Posting vacancies on internet sites like Craigs list does work and sometimes really well. Be sure to keep in mind there are risks in doing this since you are bringing in a total stranger. Make sure they are right for your group.
Have any other ideas? Let me know in comments below. Would love to hear from you.
When you start meeting these people be sure to ask them lots of questions to make sure they are the right fit for your shorehouse.
Be sure they can pay too! Get a deposit.
If you are someone who wants to be part of a shore house. That is, you are not looking to fill a house with people rather you are searching for a group already in a house. Check out this article I wrote How to Get in on a Shore House.
If you want more insight into getting the best roommates, especially if you are walking into a home full of people you may not know, check out these tips.
The bane of anyone who takes the responsibility of running a shorehouse is finding roommates and then getting them to pay. There is a lot of pressure to find people because your money, and often the money of others, is on the line. The closer you get to the number of roommates you want, the less you'll have to pay for the house.
There are a number of ways to find beach roommates. Here are some suggestions for finding beach roommates
1. Ask other "shore-people" within your network of aquaintences. People who spend summer weekends renting at the shore are die hards. They also switch homes like baseball players switch teams. If you've spend summers at the shore, you'll know these people. Find out if anyone is looking to leave last summer's house for a new beach house. Finding another shore person is good because 1) You might already know their personality 2) You might be able to ask their last shore house what kind of person they are and if they pay on-time 3) This person is familiar with the shore culture and knows what to expect
2. Ask friends that have visited but never 'did' the shore. Visit a shore house once and your hooked. Ask these people who've been down the shore before. They might say 'no' but I assure you they will wish they could. Everyone who comes to the shore as a guest has told me they wish they could spend the summer like I do. This is what makes them a good lead to ask.
If they say 'yes' you've scored big! Getting friends in your summer home is always more comfortable than rolling the dice with strangers.
3. Ask friends and acquaintances outside the shore. Just like in #2, it always is better if you get someone you know.
4. Ask other people who run shore houses. Very similar to #1 except you are focusing on the so-called 'leader' or 'leaders' of other beach houses. These are the people who collect the rent, sign the lease and otherwise tend to take the most responsibility. They tend to have their finger on the pulse of not only their house but other homes as well. They can tell you if they are losing roommates in their own home or know of people leaving other shore houses.
5. Ask real estate agents that are located at your shore point. I've actually never done this when looking for people to fill 'my' beach house. I have done it when looking to get into some else's beach house. That said, it is worth a try. Ask a local realtor if they know of anyone interested in being part of your shore house. If they don't know of any, leave them your number in case they come up with someone.
Keep in mind, you'll likely be bringing on a stranger (rather common at the shore) so be sure this person is a right fit for your house. .
6. Social Network. FB etc. Do it. Use social network sites to get the word out.
7. Craigslist, etc. Posting vacancies on internet sites like Craigs list does work and sometimes really well. Be sure to keep in mind there are risks in doing this since you are bringing in a total stranger. Make sure they are right for your group.
Have any other ideas? Let me know in comments below. Would love to hear from you.
When you start meeting these people be sure to ask them lots of questions to make sure they are the right fit for your shorehouse.
Be sure they can pay too! Get a deposit.
If you are someone who wants to be part of a shore house. That is, you are not looking to fill a house with people rather you are searching for a group already in a house. Check out this article I wrote How to Get in on a Shore House.
If you want more insight into getting the best roommates, especially if you are walking into a home full of people you may not know, check out these tips.
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