Today marks the third installment of the Inauguration Rental Chronicles, in which we witness the efforts behind one grouphouse’s push to rent their four-bedroom, “Central Northwest” townhouse during the week of Jan. 20, without informing their landlord. 

As of my last update, the group had not gotten a single nibble on their $11,000 rental. But, on the upside, their landlord had not discovered their plot and evicted the entire clan, hoping to cash in on his/her own.  

After 24 hours of waiting and hearing nothing, the group decided to lower their price to $10,000 (for six nights), and re-post their craigslist page. Lo and behold, they got a hit soon after:

Hello,

I am interested in bringing a group of students from our College to the Inauguration. We would be coming in on Sat. Jan. 17th and leaving Wed., Jan. 21st at about 6am. Would that make the fee lower being that we are staying shorter then a week? How many people could we have in the rental and is this rental still available? Read More “The Inauguration Rental Chronicles, Part 3: Interest and Infighting” »

Well, I sort of saw this one coming. JPI, a Dallas-based developer, has decided to rent out unleased units in two of its projects—Axiom at Capitol Yard and Jefferson at Capitol Yards—near Nationals Park. According to the Washington Business Journal, “The company did not release pricing information, but said it will offer guests a choice of furnished one or two-bedroom units. They also will receive access to 24-hour concierge service and conference rooms, gym facilities, free wireless Internet access in common areas.” Read More “Developer Renting Empty Units As Inauguration Week Apartments” »

Today, we follow up on the first entry in the Inauguration Rental Chronicles. Oh, and believe me folks, as long as my anonymous participants continue to feed me info, we’re going until the day of the inauguration. Maybe afterward. If there’s some trashing of the house, a lawsuit, a friendship implosion of Heidi/Lauren-like proportions, I might be writing a book.

Last time we checked in with our renters, they had just posted their advertisement on Craigslist. They were hoping to rent their four-bedroom “Central Northwest” rowhouse for six days, at the grand cost of $11,000.

The original advertisement went up on Monday. By Wednesday morning, the group had received no responses. So, the clan started going back and forth about lowering the price. “I got in touch with them—I was like we need to repost and bump it up to the top. Most people start posting this stuff between nine in the morning and three in the afternoon,” says my friend, who we shall call Cynthia. The group already decided that their bare minimum is $8,000. Below that, it’s too much of a hassle and too expensive.

The cost was lowered to $10,000. Read More “The Inauguration Rental Chronicles, Part 2″ »

• “The Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill still has a $25,000 Inauguration package for two that includes four nights in the grand Presidential Suite with limousine service, a day at the spa and a private butler.”
• “Wealthy folks can spend $40,000 on an “Eco-Inaugural” package at the Fairmont Hotel in Foggy Bottom. ” Read More “Some Things to Consider When Pricing Your Inauguration Rental…” »

So, a friend of mine is attempting to rent out her four-bedroom home for the inauguration week. After doing some early reporting on this craigslist phenomenon, I’ve decided to follow her story. Easy cash, or enormous hassle?

She and her three roommates are not informing their landlord of the plan, so I’m going to keep my posts short on some details. The home is a classic, let’s call it “central northwest” (U Street/Shaw/Columbia Heights/Adams Morgan/Logan Circle) townhouse. It’s clean. It has four bedrooms, one-and-a-half- bathrooms, wireless internet and Comcast cable, three televisions. It’s blocks away from a Metro station, a supermarket, restaurants, liquor stores, etc.

The group is flexible. The rental is for any six nights during the week of Jan. 20, the advertisement states. Linens, towels, dishes will be provided. The roommates have also offered to serve as concierges of sorts: they’ll help make restaurant reservations and sightseeing recommendations beforehand. They plan to come in and clean while the group is there.

What’s their listing price? you ask. Read More “The Inauguration Rental Chronicles, Part 1″ »

Okay, here’s another Craigslist advertisement for an inauguration rental. This one is in “Historic Leesburg.” Besides the free wireless, the large deck, the home theater with flat screen TV, and the “Colonial & Civil War walking tours just down the street,” and the “elliptical available for use with waiver,” there’s one super, super giveaway that will surely make the renters come a’running… Read More “More Inauguration Craigslist Ridiculousness” »

Twenty minutes ago, I couldn’t have even pointed you in the direction of Mitchellville, Maryland. Of course, through the magic of google, I can quickly learn that this town is roughly 15 miles outside of Washington, and 30 minutes away, according to my direction instructions. 

Picture Annapolis. Picture D.C. It’s about halfway between both. And, yes, for giddy out-of-towners eager to experience the “real Washington,” that’s outside the beltway.  Very much so. 

Consider now trying to make the Mitchellville/D.C. drive on say, January 20.  You’ll be battling the Prince George’s County traffic into the city. You’re probably looking at a solid hour and a half to two hours, if not more. Best to take the Metro orange line from New Carrollton, or even the MARC train.

Because it turns out,  Mitchellville is not a “GREAT LOCATION” to plunk down and soak up the inauguration spirit.  But, that’s what one imaginative (read: insanely, insanely greedy) craigslister has dreamed up. No, I’m not kidding. 

$20,000 / 5br – Luxury Executive Home/Gated Community Inauguration Week 

Hope just died. Long live avarice.

Sigh.

More beyond the jump.

Read More “$20,000 Inauguration Rental…In Mitchellville” »