Homeshare Listing Platforms: Where to Look and List
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
One of the most important steps to achieving a successful homeshare is figuring out where to look for a room or renter. There are many platforms available that can aid in the search, but it can be hard to decide which ones to use to reach the type of potential housemate you are looking for. There are both “old school” and “new school” ways of getting the word out about your search to find the right housemate or space for you.
A classic way of searching for a homeshare is to post an announcement on a community bulletin board somewhere in your area. This may be in a coffee shop, library, or community center. If you are looking for a space to rent, you can include information about yourself, what kind of space you are looking for, and how much you would like to pay in rent. If you are a home provider, you can include information about the space, how much the rent will be, and some information about what you are looking for in a housemate.
Another effective way of finding a housemate or space is speaking to people you know. Getting the word out that you are interested in homesharing can give friends and family the opportunity to help aid you in your search. You may be surprised to find out what connections and solutions may be made through people you already know. People you know will probably have a good understanding of what you are looking for in a homeshare, and may be able to help you find a compatible match.
There are many nonprofit housing agencies that specialize in helping people achieve successful homeshares. One helpful resource is the National Shared Housing Resource Center (NSHRC), where you can find information about agencies that may serve your area. The expertise and experience nonprofits can provide are valuable assets that can help aid you in your search for the right homeshare.
There are some online platforms specifically dedicated to connecting people looking for a homeshare. PadSplit, Roomies, and HomeShare Online are three websites that can help you search for a renter or space to rent. These websites offer users the ability to rent rooms for however short or long they may desire. This may be a good way for those interested in homesharing to test it out before committing to a longer lease.
Furnished Finder is an online leasing platform specializing in mid-term, furnished rentals. This website mainly caters to traveling professionals, such as nurses. Leases are required to be 30 days or longer to deter people from using the site for vacation rentals. This platform may offer both home providers and home seekers a way to test the water with homesharing before fully diving in.
Zillow is a popular listing platform for posting homes, apartments, and condos. In addition to these, there is also a way to list or rent a room within a home. If you are searching for a space to rent you can select the “room” button under the “home type” panel. Doing this will allow you to view rooms for rent in any city you are interested in.
Craigslist is a popular website to find a potential homeshare. On this website you can select your city and search for either “rooms/shared” or “rooms wanted” under the housing tab. Under “rooms/shared” you can find people who have extra space in their house and are trying to rent it out. Under “rooms wanted” you can find people who are looking for places to live and connect with them. Craigslist is a good way to find a wide variety of spaces and people.
Facebook is another platform that can be used to search for potential tenants or rooms to rent. One approach is through Facebook Marketplace, where people post available rooms they are renting out. Another approach is by joining Facebook groups. These groups exist in most areas, and can help you connect with people looking for a space to rent, or with someone looking to rent out their available space. To find the right group for your search you should pair the name of your area, or the area code or ZIP code, with words like “rentals”, “rooms”, or “housing.” Some examples include:
805 Buy, Sell, Trade
SLO Buy Sell and Trade
Rentals SLO County
San Luis Obispo Conscious-Community Housing
A-Town Buy Sell Trade
[Your Town] Buy Sell Trade
[Your Prefix] Buy Sell Trade (try a search using commas as well)
[Your ZIP code] Buy Sell Trade or [Your ZIP code] Rentals
Fraud and scams are real— for both renters and home providers. Understanding how to navigate online safety, conduct renter screening, and protect your information are important skills that should always be considered when looking for a homeshare.
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