Is HomeShare Right for You?
Wondering if HomeShare ATL is right for you? Whether you are a seeker or a home provider, consider these questions below in your decision.
Questions to ask yourself as a Home Seeker:
Why do I want to Home Share with someone?
What kind of neighborhood do I want to live in?
Do I need a furnished or unfurnished space?
How much rent can I afford?
What is essential to me in a housemate?
Do I prefer Home Sharing with a female, male, couple? Or, do you have no preference?
Do I have an age preference? Would I consider living with children?
Do I object to smoking or drinking inside the house?
Would I consider living with pets? What kind?
What kind of a relationship do I want with my housemates? Do I just want to rent a room in a home, or do I want a friend and companion with whom to share my life?
What household responsibilities do I wish to share? (For example: housework, cooking, shopping, driving, gardening, trash removal, handiwork, laundry) What do I consider an equitable exchange of services for a reduction in the rent?
What are my housekeeping standards? How clean should common areas be kept?
Am I prepared to adjust to housekeeping standards in return for rent savings or companionship?
What are my shortcomings that might present difficulties to anyone living with me?
What qualities do I have that would contribute to a shared arrangement? Do I listen to and understand other people, especially when there is a difference of opinion?
What things can I do to make my new Home Sharing arrangement feel like home?
Questions to ask yourself as a Home Provider:
Why do I want to Home Share with someone?
Is my home or apartment suitable for sharing? Is there a private room for a housemate? Is there an easily accessible bathroom? Is there adequate closet or storage space? Are there structural barriers, or stairs, that might limit who can live in my home? Are entrances/exits accessible?
Is the space I'm considering available really ready for another person(s) and their possessions? If not, what must I do to make it ready? Will the space be furnished or unfurnished?
If a person needs an unfurnished bedroom, am I willing to store my things?
How much rent do I need in order to satisfactorily reduce my housing cost burdens?
Would I like some help around the house? If yes, how much assistance do I need?
If I expect a service, should I reduce the rent, offer free rent, free room and board, or free room and board plus compensation for the services a housemate would provide?
Am I prepared to adjust to some household changes in return for the additional income or help that I am asking?
To what degree do I want to share my kitchen, living room, and other common areas?
What household responsibilities do I wish to share? For example: housework, cooking, shopping, driving, gardening, trash removal, laundry, etc.
What are my household standards? For example, how clean should common areas be kept?
What is essential to me in a housemate?
Do I prefer a female, male, couple? Do I have an age preference? Would I consider living with children?
Do I object to smoking or drinking in my house? Would I consider living with pets?
What are my shortcomings that might present difficulties to anyone living with me?
Am I able to confront problems and find amenable solutions? Do I listen and understand other people, especially when there is a difference or opinion?
What qualities do I have that would contribute to sharing my home?
What can I do to ensure that MY home can become OUR home when shared?