I have been thinking for a few months that I may try and find a roommate. I have 2 bedrooms and a bathroom that are never touched unless family comes to visit (and then only one of the rooms is used). So, anyway, how much does your roommate pay per month (or do you pay if you are the roommate)? I have always lived alone in a 1-bedroom apartment, so I have never had a roommate before. I know this probably varies by area- back where I am from in Michigan, I rented a one-bedroom apartment for $350 a month. Here, where I live in NC, you can not touch a one-bedroom apartment for under $700 a month. I have looked on Craigslist and rooms for rent vary from $350 to 700 a month (and most were a bedroom in an apartment or townhouse- I live in a regular house). $700 is way ridiculous- I was thinking more in the $300-400 range, but am really unsure. With the possibility of being laid off, I am trying to be proactive with my finances. Things would be much easier financially with a roommate. But, I am clueless!
Why wouldn't your roommate pay half the rent? That's been the arrangement with the two roommates I had. After all, they'd be using 1/2 the house, right? My roommates paid $350 and $400 respectively, plus half the utilites each month, which is what I paid. Both of these were in apartments. If you price it too low, you will get college students or young adults asking to move in, which may or may not be to your liking. If you've never had a roommate before, you need to consider things before you rent: --Smoking/drinking/parties--Is this allowed in your house/outside only/not at all/only on weekends? (You need to make clear your policy on this when interviewing potential renters.) --Groceries--Do you each buy your own food or do you shop together and split or does one person do all shopping and split costs? --Overnight guests--Are you comfortable with this? When does an overnight guest become another tenant? (my last lease said over 2 weeks) --Guests in general--Can you and your renter have guests over at all times? Only on weekends? Only agreed beforehand? --Cleaning--How clean do you keep your house? How often do you clean and do you expect your renter to clean? --Bills--How do you pay bills? Together or does the renter write you a check and you pay for it all? (With my roommates, we both wrote checks for half and put both in the mail.) --Noise--How much noise is okay to you and is there "quiet time" where radio/tv/people should be gone? --Pets--Do you accept pets? I've had fun having roommates and I've also had fun living alone. Good luck!
I am living w/ another girl right now and she owns our condo... It started out okay (until I realized she was a lesbian (not that I care...but thats info you share w/ a roommate) and she parties every night of the week.)) Anyways... I live in the Metro DC area so I pay more...it's 800/ month but it includes utilities. Overall the arrangement works (I have my own bedroom/ bathroom and access to the gym and pool in our complex.) I would'nt mind it if I wasn't up until 3am the other school night because she invited 10 people over. If you do get a roommate I would def. ask about parties during the week!
I've never had a roommate nor have I ever been one in anyone else's house, & I hope to NEVER experience either. I like having my own privacy! But I assume you'd split everything down the middle. Everyone cleans up their own mess (dishes, tub, etc.) Split the bill when you have the carpets cleaned and/or hire a maid. As far as having friends, parties, etc., you'd have to find a roommate who's similar to you, otherwise, that person will always want parties if they're the partying/drinking/smoking type. Maybe you can find someone w/ an opposite work schedule, then you're out of each other's hair. Remember, keep all your personal documents, valuables, prescription meds, vitamins, etc. locked up. I'd want to lock my bedroom. But, make sure the roommate knows that since it's YOUR house, you'll need to be able to have access to all the rooms in the house. (Otherwise, for all you know, they could have something illegal in their room). If they have nothing to hide, they should be fine w/ that! Also, figure out who will park where & if friends come over, where are they parking. Ask them some serious questions about their lifestyle before you let them move in! I mean they could still lie, but it's better than not asking much. See! That's why I'd never want a roommate. There's too much to be careful of constantly & as we all should know, you can't trust anyone!
Is there a teacher in your school who might be interested? Someone who shares some of your interests, and more importantly, someone you already know a bit about?? (The fact that they've already been fingerprinted is a nice incidental.)
I could not have a roommate unless I was desperate (like being laid off) but I would charge about 1/2 your mortgage. I like Alice's idea of finding a fellow teacher. That's what I would do. You don't have to answer (privacy and all), but aren't you in CMS? I thought all their pink slips went out on 3/13?
Well, I own the house. I doubt someone would pay half my mortgage Thanks for the list. I thought of most of those things, but it helps to see it all in a list!
Check out Craig's list and local newspapers for rents in your area to get an idea of what to charge. There are also roommate web sites that match people according to lifestyles. I do agree with trying a post at your school first, another teacher would be good because you share similar hours. Half of your mortgage may be feasible after you look into it.
No teachers at school need somewhere to go All but 3 of us are married and each of us own our own homes. I mentioned earlier in another post one of my coworkers at my 2nd job is getting divorced. He works 6- 12 hour days a week, doesn't smoke, etc... And if he wanted to party, the other guys are throwing them all the time, so they won't be at my house I thought about getting a roommate before, but didn't want someone I didn't know. With him, it'd be great because he'd never be there Plus, with a girl, I'd likely get girl drama which I don't tolerate well I am such a guy when it comes to that stuff :lol:
Make sure you don't have utilities included in the rent price. I find people are more conservative if they know they have to pay for it.
I have had several room mates. No one ever agrees with you 100%. I really liked living on my own. Then I got a husband as a room mate--enough said.
In college I had 2 roommates and the three of us split everything equally. Now my fiance and I live together and until we combine finances in a few months, we split everything equally.
No roommate here. I wish I had one though. I live in a one bedroom apartment and it is $600/month. However, in college I'd always have roommate drama, so I think it's better this way. Plus, my boyfriend basically lives with me (he has a key) and I think if I had a roommate in, say, a two bedroom apartment, they would get irritated with my boyfriend always being around. Him and I will probably officially move into a two bedroom together once we know if he is deploying or not (he's in the military) so that will cut some costs. Right now, he has a barracks room on post but stays over here all the time because it's more comfy.
