Cashing in on the Convention

Yes, the Twin Cities have endured this scourge once before. It was back in 1892 when the Republican nominated Benjamin Harrison in Minneapolis. With the GOP's return, Minnesotans are scurrying to cash in, putting their homes and apartments up for short-term rental.

Spotted on Craigslist:

I am the owner of a beautiful home just minutes away from the Xcel Center in downtown St. Paul. I am willing to rent out my home during the week of the 2008 Republican Convention.

About the home:
Three spacious bedrooms, three full bathrooms, 2,000+ square feet overall. Game room, big screen flat panel HDTV, high speed internet, cable with on demand. Each bedroom has a comfortable queen or full size mattress. Bedrooms plus two sofa beds can accommodate anywhere between 5-10 people comfortably. House will be professionally cleaned and new linens and pillows will be provided. Fridge will be stocked with beverages. Back patio with outdoor table and gas grill. You will also enjoy 24 hour access to a clubhouse that includes a heated pool that is open through September, sauna, weight room, and party room that can accommodate 40-50 people. FYI: weather in St. Paul is typically still very warm and nice during September.

About the Neighborhood:
Home is on a cul-de-sac in a quiet and secluded area. Back yard is wooded and there is a beautiful park with trails, basketball and tennis courts. This is a secret gem in the city. Well maintained homes. Just a few miles to downtown St. Paul.

Services Included:
24-hour limo service. Get a tour of the Twin Cities. And, get tips on places to go for eating and socializing.

Costs:
$15,000 for first week. Will pro-rate that amount if needed to stay more than seven days. To reserve the unit, you will need to sign a rental agreement and pay a damage deposit of $5,000 which will be refunded after the convention. Need to pay full $15,000 prior to arriving for the convention.

Enjoy the convention with the comfort of home. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

For those who are interested, I can provide a video tour and more pictures.

Thank you for the tip, Mr. Christopher. This is the priciest of a flurry of temporary Republican Convention rentals popping up on Craigslist lately. If you look at the photos for this particular home rental, it's not nearly as nice as it sounds. It all recalls the opportunism of selling parking space on the grass in your front yard during the State Fair. Nice racket if you can pull it off.

Oh, and did I mention that the convention is still a year away? The 2008 Republican National Convention is scheduled for the first week of September.

The Convention logo at the top of this entry is courtesy of the GOP. To get the logo for your own website, go here. You know you want one.