How to find roommates?

Question

I’m purchasing my second home, it’s a single family near Raritan, Somerville, Bridgewater area in New Jersey.

It’s a 3 bedroom 1 & a half bathroom. I’m 27 and don’t have kids so I don’t mind having roommates but I’m having trouble finding them. Any advice would help?

Mike Wilkinson · Answer

@Vania Nettleford Oftentimes renters / roommates in this age range are fairly transient. I have found that offering month-to-month leases, and furnishing the place nicely with nice pictures can make a huge difference. People love the idea that they can cook a meal, sit on the couch, and watch Netflix on the first night that they move in. Furnishing can be cheap and easy on Facebook marketplace.

Hope this helps!

Mark F. · Answer

@Vania Nettleford When I house hacked and got roommates I used my network of friends. I had other friends of mine who used craigslist. One worked out well,the other didnt. My advice on any form is to do full background checks. Credit, criminal and eviction, no matter who is vouching. There's a ton of websites too. Padmapper, roommates.com, apple called room8, etc. Also try facebook marketplace. Good luck! Remember to screen heavily!

Kirk R. · Answer

Craigslist.

Phone interview before they even know address.

1. Why are they moving? people relocating to the area are much more desirable than people moving within the area imo.

2.  How will they pay.

3.  talk to them for awhile.  yeah me my wife & dog need a place.  My 3 kids really only visit occasionally.  I'm not gonna lie my PO needs to talk to you that you'll vouch I'm living there!

if they pass the phone interview

3.  As you give them a tour, Walk em through explain everything.  this is emergency water shut-off.  don't throw dryer lint in the toilet.  don't force the shower handle past here.

4. Let them talk.  Do you have super high speed internet?  I like to game I've got this huge bose speaker system. How will my 7 friends park when they visit?  Hmmm I'm not sure all my musical instruments will fit.

5.  How do they communicate? polite? rude/aggressive?

any lies or inconsistencies PASS.  anybody little irritating PASS.

about 2/3rds of people contacting through Craigslist will no show no call.  & it's like you talked to them 3 hrs ago & they can't let you know?  if they're late... What kind of car do they drive?  What state plates.  go take a peak at the inside.  Smells are they a smoker.  respectful Smokers on porch are good.  my dog gets to go out too :)

Any inconsistencies PASS.  no calls/activity you've got a price problem or a CV problem :(

George Pauley · Answer

I house hacked my first home before I had ever even heard the term.  I would think sites like Rent.com, Nextdoor.com, etc would be the place to look.If you can cook...  I used to always have a big pot of spaghetti sauce simmering in the crock pot when potential renters would come buy to check out my house.  The house smelled heavenly.  Many prospective roomates would comment on it and ask questions like "Do you always cook things that smell great?"  LOL - Simple but it works.  ;)

Vania Nettleford · Answer

@Vaughn Smith Ah yes I've used cozy before to run background checks. I'll look into that for finding a roommate as well. @Mike Wilkinson Thanks for the advice there, you make a good point.

Vaughn Smith · Answer

@Vania Nettleford You may want to try cozy, their software is fast and easy to use. You may want to run facebook ads they are cheap and will get you a ton of responses just be specific about where you're located and what you're looking for as geo targeting isnt as easy as it used to be since FB changed their algorithm a while back

Vania Nettleford · Answer

@Andy Rousch are you going to rent to a family or find a few roommates?

Andy Rousch · Answer

All this advice sounds great, good luck @Vania Nettleford! My wife and I are considering doing the same in Morristown for our next home, we have dogs which will make it interesting, but will most likely look for a property with a big enough basement to make into a separate living space for privacy

Vania Nettleford · Answer

Thank you! I’ll check those out and definitely do criminal & background checks

How to find roommates?

Most Popular Reply