But, Is It Safe To Find Roommates On Craigslist Or Other Online Sites? Absolutely yes – you just need to be keen. If you just log on Craigslist and choose a random person without interrogating them on a few things of your interest, you are likely to end up with a roommate you will regret meeting.
How to find a roommate on Craigslist?
Here are eight tips for finding a roommate on Craigslist that you should be sure to follow. The world is full of all different kinds of people, and so is the Craigslist housing section. Narrow down your search right away by figuring out what kind of person you’d like to live with, as well as what your deal breakers might be.
How to find a good roommate for college?
Connecting on social media is a good way to get a better feel for who a person is, and it also allows you to see if you have any friends in common. Scroll through a potential roommate’s page and check out what kinds of things they post as well as how they interact with others.
What are some common scams when buying an apartment online?
As you begin your online apartment search, be on the lookout for these common scams: Cloned listings. Details are copied and pasted from a legitimate listing, then offered at a very low price. Remember, if the price seems too good to be true, it is.
How do you know if a roommate is a red flag?
Never exchange funds with a potential roommate before meeting in person and securing a lease (even if they’re asking to send money to you), and be wary of posts that seem incomplete or are riddled with errors. If someone responds to your post ready to move forward without requesting any more information, consider that a red flag as well.
What is the safest way to find a roommate?
The 9 Best Roommate Finders on the WebCraigslist. Let's start with the obvious: Craigslist. ... PadMapper. With its free, map-based interface, PadMapper makes it easy to find apartments in a particular neighborhood or even on a particular block. ... RoomieMatch. ... Roommates.com. ... Roomi. ... Roomster. ... 7. Facebook. ... Alumni Networks.More items...•
Is there a tinder for finding roommates?
The app, launched in May, matches those seeking housing with one another using the swiping method popularized by Tinder. RentHoop links to users' Facebook profiles, and provides information like budget, location and desired roommate qualities, as well as interests and mutual friends provided from Facebook.
What should I look for when finding a roommate?
Some things you may want to consider when choosing a roommate (flatmate) are:Relationship. First, take time to decide what you want out of your relationship with your new roommate. ... Lifestyle. ... Cleanliness. ... Responsibility. ... Guests. ... Conflict Resolution. ... References. ... For More Information.
How do I put a roommate ad on Craigslist?
1:0611:39How To Create A Roommate Ad For Craigslist/Facebook - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe proximity to things is really important so make sure you put it's close to highway blank andMoreThe proximity to things is really important so make sure you put it's close to highway blank and blank. And a popular city so even if you're on the outskirts.
What is the best app to find a roommate?
Some of the best apps for finding roommates include:Craigslist.Trulia.Reddit.RoomieMatch.Circle of Roomies.Roomi.Roomster.Cirtru.
Is Roomster safe?
Roomster has a consumer rating of 3.66 stars from 3,651 reviews indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Roomster ranks 1st among Roommate sites.
Is roomates com legit?
Roommates.com has a consumer rating of 2.82 stars from 296 reviews indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Consumers complaining about Roommates.com most frequently mention total scam, pay money and read messages problems.Roommates.com ranks 2nd among Roommate sites.
Do people use Roomsurf?
High school seniors, college students, and graduates school students can use Roomsurf. If you need to find a compatible roommate for on-campus housing, or need to fill an extra room for your place off-campus, you should try Roomsurf to identify compatible roommates.
How do you reach a potential roommate?
Hit them up with a thoughtful message or with a simple opening (i.e. what's your major?). Most of all, just be blunt—"Are you looking for a roommate?" will suffice. Find common ground by sharing basic info about yourself. Let them know where you're from, what you're majoring in and what your interests are.
How do you tell someone you don't want to be roommates?
The best time to tell them is as soon as possible If someone asks you, just say 'I'll think about it. ' If you have said yes too quickly, do be honest." So instead of putting it off, you should just tell as soon as you can and that way, they have a chance to explore other options too.
What do you say when applying for a room?
Describe your job, your family and also mention the reason for your move. In this cover letter, you should also say why you're interested in the apartment. Explain to the renter why you should get the flat. It's also a good idea to explain why you'd fit with the other tenants.
How do you check apartments on Craigslist?
“Hi, I am interested in the apartment you have for rent. Please contact me.” “Your apartment on XYZ Drive is exactly what I am looking for! I work 2.3 miles from there, my parents live nearby for those pesky but traditional weekly family dinners and the rent is well within my budget.
Set up an email account just for the roommate search
You wouldn’t give out your personal email to just anybody, so don’t use it for your roommate search. Instead, create a new email account that you can use just for Craigslist, which in addition to keeping your information safe will also help you stay organized.
Respond to posts, but publish your own too
Sure you could find a roommate on Craigslist just by browsing posts, but there’s a risk that your perfect roommate is doing the same thing. Be proactive and put up your own post detailing who you are and what you’re looking for.
Be careful about avoiding scams
Roommate scams aren’t purely a Craigslist problem, but because the site is free and generally unmoderated they do tend to proliferate there. Both published posts and responses to your own post can be from scammers, so it’s important to always have your skeptic hat on and to trust your gut if something seems too good to be true.
Ask potential roommates to friend you on social media
Connecting on social media is a good way to get a better feel for who a person is, and it also allows you to see if you have any friends in common. Scroll through a potential roommate’s page and check out what kinds of things they post as well as how they interact with others.
Meet up with a potential roommate before signing a lease
Don’t legally bind yourself to live with someone before even meeting them. People aren’t always the same as their online personas, and it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to choosing a person you’re going to share a home with. Pick a public place to meet up, like a diner or coffee shop, and consider bringing a friend along with you.
Have an open conversation about finances
It can be difficult to talk about money, particularly with someone you’ve just met, but living with a roommate means sharing some big costs—do you really want to just take your chances that they can afford their half? Have a conversation about what you’re both comfortable spending, as well as how you foresee handling the sharing aspect.
Always trust your gut
You can absolutely find a great roommate on Craigslist, but you can find plenty of bad roommates there too. Scams aside, if something seems off, don’t move forward.
Can you meet in person before buying?
So one key thing to remember is to ALWAYS insist on meeting IN PERSON, locally, before you share anything other than maybe your first name and basic contact info. For buying items, do not let any money leave your hands until you can come and see and inspect/test the item with your own eyes and hands.
Can you pay someone you have not met in person?
Do not provide payment to anyone you have not met in person. Beware offers involving shipping - deal with locals you can meet in person. Never wire funds (e.g. Western Union) - anyone who asks you to is a scammer. Don't accept cashier/certified checks or money orders - banks cash fakes, then hold you responsible.
Is Craigslist an advertising medium?
This post makes a good point - craigslist is just an advertising medium. If you use it to find something, you are not renting or buying *from* craigslist - you are renting or buying from whatever individual or organizations posted the ad.
What is a scam listing?
The scammy listings are often for completely fictional homes and the sole intent of the posting is to either steal your identity or swindle you out of a “fee” for a credit check that will never actually occur.
How many installments does a security deposit have to be paid?
Just to give you a little more information about the home, the water, trash. and garbage are paid by us. The security deposit can be paid in 2 installments if money is tight. (I know how that can be). The house has a fenced in backyard and we do allow pets. The deposit per pet is a one time payment.
Do vandals attack vacant homes?
Yes, vandals do attack vacant homes, but we’ve never heard of packs of juvenile delinquents scanning through ads on Craigslist for street addresses of rental properties that may or may not currently be occupied.
Can you tour a unit by the landlord?
You don’t get a tour of the unit’s interior by the landlord, broker or building manager. The “owner” insists on payment in advance and wants the funds sent by wire transfer.
Is a real estate agency a scam?
Be wary of any “real estate agency” or other real estate firms that sell databases of rental units, rent-to-own properties or pre-foreclosure homes. Some of these services, which charge a sign-up fee or a monthly fee of up to $200, are scams.
