How to Find a Roommate Fast

Roommates can be good morale and financial support.

The first of the month is rapidly approaching and you need some big help in paying the rent. A roommate is a quick way to come up with a big chunk of needed cash. If your new roommate pays first and last months' rent, this windfall can buy you some time and give you some financial stability. But first, you have to find a roommate. With just days or weeks to find your roommate, place your ad online for the best visibility.

Things You'll Need

• Internet

Instructions

1. Take pictures of your apartment or the room for rent. Make sure it's clean and uncluttered. Photographs of an unkempt living space is pretty much a deal-breaker, unless you're offering a free or very cheap place to someone desperate.

2. Place an ad on Craigslist and upload your photos. Write a compelling and concise ad detailing what you have to offer and what you are looking for in a roommate. List your likes and dislikes and the kind of environment you have to share. Be upfront about your definite deal-breakers, such as if the person is a smoker, or if you can't have or don't want pets. Be a specific as possible to cut to the chase. You don't have time answering ads with people who are not going to be a good fit.

3. Be wiling to be a bit flexible on price. Price your room under the competition to gain attention. Many house hunters enter their budget in the search fields. People who are searching for a good rental deal often start at the lowest possible end of the spectrum when looking. Offer to accept the security deposit or last month's rent in several payments to ease the move-in costs.

4. Make concessions on the utilities. Offer to throw in free Wi-Fi for the first six months. If you are already paying for Wi-Fi on your own anyway, this won't affect your bottom line and will seem like a generous incentive to your new roommate. Offer to absorb a higher percentage of the utilities, or if you can, pay all utilities for the home.

5. Give a shout out to your friends on social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Ask your friends if they know of anyone who needs a new place to live, and if they would, to post your ad and information on their pages. If your request goes viral between your friends, it can boost your exposure and get the word out quicker.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful when meeting people you don't know. Meet in a public place. Ask a friend to accompany you.

References

• Move; Apartments and Living with Roommates; Courtney Ronan
• Moving Today: Finding a Roommate Online