MyNewPlace Blog

With Washington D.C.'s mayor Adrian Fenty expecting around 3 million people to flood to the nation's capital to witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the local rental market is experiencing an unprecedented spike in demand as people try to figure out where they can stay.

Reportedly, all hotels in Washington and in surrounding areas are completely booked, even with rates as high as $800 a night for guests that agree to a five night minimum.

Innkeepers in towns up to 130 miles from the city are seeing a strong uptick in reservations from those travelling from far and wide to see President Obama be sworn into office.

Apartment management companies are also getting in on the action, as Dallas-based developer JPI will rent unoccupied apartments in buildings in DC's SE quadrant for $750 per night for a one bedroom apartment and $1000 for a two bedroom apartment.

Even local residents are taking advantage of visitors' frantic search for lodging, offering rooms in apartments and homes for rent for the millions of visitors. We personally know of some residents who have decided to share or rent their Washington, D.C. apartments. One such person will be renting their apartment in Woodley Park for the entirety of January's rent plus the cost of a flight to Florida, while another group with an apartment in Columbia Heights will be offering couches for $20 dollars and some toilet paper.

Of course, whenever there is an opportunity to make a quick buck there will be some scams. This one comes from Craigslist, whose benign neglect policies can spawn rental scams. Highlighted by our favorite political satirists over at the Wonkette blog, scams are now targeting visitors desperate to find accommodations for the long weekend.

The weekend promises to be exciting for visitors, aggravating for locals, delicate indeed for city planners and the transportation agencies, but nonetheless historic for everyone, whether you figure out a way to stay within 130 miles of D.C., navigate your way around 10,000 buses and squeeze your way onto the Metro. FYI, we highly recommend avoiding the red line at all costs that weekend. Stick to green and yellow!

How much would it take for you to leave Washington, D.C. for such a historic weekend? One month's rent? Two months?

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