Clevelanders are Cashing in During the RNC

This can be yours for $5700 a night.

We live in NJ but “summer” in Cleveland where I grew up. I know. It’s weird but it’s what we do. Yesterday, I did a search on AirBnB for a summer rental in Cleveland and got a message that said, “You’re traveling during a popular time.” This is not a message that anyone that is from Cleveland would expect when looking for a rental. Unless…you’re looking for a rental in mid-July 2016. For a town that doesn’t get many tourists…or maybe I should rephrase that…doesn’t get any tourists, it was pretty shocking!

But with the Republican National Convention just a few weeks away, Clevelanders are looking for ways to take advantage of being the home town. Cleveland City Council voted last Monday to allow Clevelanders to share their homes with the thousands of visitors who will be traveling through our city this summer. Home owners are allowed to share their residence, with guests visiting the city for anything from the NBA Finals to the RNC. This could mean renting just a room in their house or their entire home. Short-term rentals will now be subject to a 3% tax that will collected by the booking agent (like AirBnB or Howard Hannah).

On the high end, $5700/night, you’ll get all the bells and whistles: beautiful chandeliers, amazing views of the city and the lake, includes housekeeping and is just steps away from the convention. This luxurious penthouse as it all and the owner of this gorgeous place got back to me within minutes of inquiry.

The average rental on AirBnB is going for $1148/night–not bad. The one below is $1250 a night for one bedroom with views of the city in walking distance to the convention.

On the low end, I found a charming in Ohio City–a fun place to hang–for only $96 for the night.