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Owner's Big Handoff: Lucky Few Get Big Bucks For Rentals

Tribune photo by JIM REED

This South Tampa home is one of the many that were listed for rental, and one of the few that actually were.

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By SHANNON BEHNKEN

sbehnken@tampatrib.com

Published: January 29, 2009

TAMPA - When you're preparing a home for rock stars, the details matter.

Jessica Carlson of A.J. Home Rentals spent Wednesday adding finishing touches to a waterfront South Tampa home before Nickelback rents it for Super Bowl weekend.

She spread Super Bowl blankets across furniture, made sure there was plenty of wine and left information on pizza delivery and strip clubs.

"The strip club info is listed first," she said with a sly chuckle. "I try to tailor the information to what the guests might want. If the client is bringing a family, I change that to Busch Gardens."

This is the first year for Carlson's business. Although she didn't rent as many homes as she had hoped (she won't say how many), she thinks it was successful. The house Nickelback is renting went for $22,000 for the weekend. And before they show up, another band, Hoobastank, will stay the night while in town for a concert.

Hundreds of Tampa Bay area homeowners tried to cash in on the Super Bowl by renting out their homes. Starting in the fall, there were signs stuck in medians across town advertising businesses that help homeowners find renters.

Some homeowners asked a few thousand dollars for the week; others sought $20,000 or more per day.

The economy, however, put a damper on most homeowners' dreams, real estate companies say. But mansions and smaller homes near the stadium did well. Carlson said most of her business happened this week as some football fans waited until the last minute to make plans.

But there are plenty of disappointed homeowners.

Some listed their houses on Web sites such as Craigslist. Others spent thousands to market through rental companies.

Gene Seabolt, for example, is helping an out-of-state friend rent a home in the Citrus Park area. He spent $1,195 to list the home on a Web site and hasn't heard a word about prospects. They had hoped to rent the four-bedroom home for $7,500 a day.

The company promised to return the money if the home doesn't rent, he said.

"I'm really worried they won't," Seabolt said. "I guess I'll find out next week."

Some companies, such as Carlson's, didn't charge homeowners to list. She listed homes on the Internet free and charges $300 if they rent. She also charges 10 percent of the rental fee for her services, which include maid service.

Kathy Evans had high hopes for her 1,300-square-foot Riverside Heights home near the stadium. She wanted $5,000 for the week but hasn't heard anything yet.

"I know that we have a lot of hotel rooms in the city," she said. "I guess they were able to fill the need."

As for Carlson, she's happy with business, even if she didn't rent all the homes she listed.

And on Saturday, she'll be by the pool with the Nickelback guys.

"It's really cool," she said.

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7804.

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