Homeowners dangle extras to reel in Super Bowl renters- Arizona Republic

Source: AZcentral.com
By: Luci Scott

Dave Jackson wants to rent out his house during Super Bowl week, so the Chandler man came up with something extra to lure out-of-towners: He's willing to be a chauffeur, driving guests around town in his 1996 Jeep Cherokee.

"I made the offer (in his Craigslist ad) just to be different, to get more eyes on our little ad," he said.

Jackson is offering his two-bedroom house near Warner and Dobson roads for $1,500 a night, or less if someone takes it for a week. Amenities include a big backyard, hot tub and a quiet neighborhood.

Benjamin Flores is advertising his house at Arizona Avenue and Riggs Road as special because it's beside a greenbelt and his yard contains a putting green with four holes, a heated diving pool, a Jacuzzi and a built-in barbecue pit. Asking price: $10,000 for a week.

Jared Bodnar, who has a four-bedroom, 3,100-square-foot home near Ocotillo and McQueen roads, is asking $900 a night.

"I have a three-day minimum, and a week would be great," Bodnar said.

Despite being at the opposite end of the Valley from the big game in Glendale, Chandler residents are among the Phoenix-area homeowners hoping to cash in by renting their houses to Super Bowl visitors. Hundreds have flooded free online classified service Craigslist with ads for home rentals.

They may be disappointed, a sports marketing executive says.

"A lot of folks think they hit the Lotto when the Super Bowl comes to their city because they think they'll be able to rent their home," said Robert Tuchman of New York-based TSE Sports and Entertainment.

Every year, he makes arrangements for about 1,000 guests to go to the Super Bowl, mainly corporate clients.

"The last time homes were valuable in Super Bowl week was in Jacksonville (Fla.) because there was a limited amount of hotel space," Tuchman said. That year, he rented 250 luxury condominiums.

Hotels are always the first option, especially when football fans go to a destination known for its hotels, like Arizona, he said.

The travelers who might rent a house are production crews if they can get a home cheaper than five or six rooms at a hotel, Tuchman said.

"Ordinary fans, for the most part, are going to be able to find hotel space, even if it's further out," he said. "The last resort is usually a private home."

Tuchman estimated 5 to 10 percent of Super Bowl fans probably end up renting private homes.

"In Jacksonville, that number was more at 30 to 35 percent," he said.

Jackson's offer to act as a taxi driver is designed to make his offer stand out. He said he's willing to drive renters to and from the airport, and says he could get passengers to and from the game more quickly because he knows routes other than the freeways.

"The major thoroughfares will be packed, and I know the streets," said Jackson, who drives all day on his job delivering coffee to Valley businesses.

Flores, a professional boxer, will be out of town Super Bowl week because he has a fight Feb. 8 in Dover, Del. He's banking on the luxury appeal of his home, which covers 4,700 square feet and has five bedrooms.

"It's a beautiful home, but the size is not important," he said. "They can really enjoy the week, play some golf, kick back and relax in a nice house. They can swim and golf in the winter."