When it comes to housing costs, Los Angeles is one of the toughest markets in the nation. According to a recent analysis by Zillow Research, LA renters spend 45% of their income on the typical property (spending more than 30% is considered “cost-burdened”). Homeowners in the area aren’t much better off, spending nearly 44% of their income on the typical mortgage (based on current prices). To make matters worse, if you’re among the many San Francisco or San Jose residents found by Zillow to be earning a lower income, you have a whole lot less to live on after paying those high housing costs.  

During a recent short transition from my last homesharing arrangement to my current one, I stayed at an Airbnb. That’s where I learned about and experienced their "Superhost" classification, and it made me think about what the Silvernest equivalent might look like.

What makes your house “home?” Is it the memories you’ve made in the surrounding neighborhood or city? Are you still enamored by a favorite feature? Do you find yourself daydreaming in a particularly comfortable spot? For many homeowners, the answers to these questions come naturally. And yet, it can be difficult to communicate those answers in a way that will turn a potential housemate’s head. 

The description you choose for your Silvernest listing is a chance to sell potential renters on the opportunity to share your home. It’s a crucial first impression we recommend you spend some time on, and we’re here to help. Here are five steps to make your homeshare listing stand out from the crowd. 

Intrigued by homesharing but wondering how to find a housemate you can trust, get along with and perhaps even become friends?

The truth is, as with any relationship, the definition of a good housemate is entirely subjective and very personal. That means the number one thing to look for in a housemate is alignment. Whatever your personal preferences and perspective, look for someone who is aligned with most or all of them—especially with those that are most important to you.

Silvernest’s roommate matching technology takes all the worry out of finding the right person to share your home. This video explains how roommate matching works and shares some of our best tips for creating your profile, interviewing potential renters, and more.

Do you have your own homesharing story? Complete the form below to become a featured Silvernester!

Friend of Silvernest Annamarie Pluhar has been homesharing for twenty years and now helps housemates with expert tips and advice through her website, www.sharinghousing.com. Below are her tips for determining what you want in a housemate and identifying the characteristics that will make or break the relationship. 

Growing numbers of boomers and empty nesters are joining the sharing economy by renting spare bedrooms for extra cash. A single room can bring in as much a part time job—and is so much easier. But how do you find the right person to share your home with?

When Nancy realized she had to move out of her house in Lafayette, Colorado, she was worried. Having cultivated a successful home-based business as a piano teacher, most of her students lived in the neighborhood. A lovely, bucolic suburb with literal white picket fences intersecting the front yards, it resembled a Norman Rockwell painting. With housing costs at an all-time-high and inventory in the area at an all-time-low, she knew finding a home nearby would be tough.