'Net Abuzz With Philadelphia Subletters and Visitors Hoping To See Pope Francis Here
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Many people hoping to sublet their homes during September's visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia are turning to one of the most widely recognized free web sites to advertise what they have to offer.
Dozens of pages of listings have already been posted to the web site known as "Craig's List."
Alex Blynn is one of hundreds of people advertising on craigslist.org that his apartment is available for sublet when the pope comes to Philadelphia this September.
"I have looked around to see if there's anywhere else that I could post, but usually they needed a fee or they needed a big signup thing, and I just don't want to do that," he tells KYW Newsradio.
And Blynn says sublet prices seem to be all over the map.
"I think because this is sort of an unprecedented thing, so there's not really a guideline for what is your apartment worth for the week of the pope," he says.
Meanwhile, center city resident Howard Rush has opted to post his listing on several sites, including paid rental sites.
But what web site is giving him the most traffic?
"Crazy enough as it sounds, it's been Craigslist," Rush said today.
Rush says he has yet to choose from among the many applicants who have shown interest in renting his place -- for $900 a night.
"If somebody told me that's what it would cost, I just wouldn't believe it," he says. "But most of the people that are calling understand that's the pricing."
