Going for gold has taken on a different meaning for a growing number of homeowners in British Columbia's Lower Mainland. With an accommodation crunch expected, when the Olympic Games begin in 2010, people like North Vancouver resident Bruce Pope are lining up to rent out their homes
"We know it's going to be busy and crazy around here so we've got three or four friendly families on the street that are together and we are going to go off on vacation somewhere," said Pope.
Judging by the number of websites that are filled with 2010 rental listings, there will be no shortage of options available to groups like a Canadian Olympic ski team, which is actively looking for housing alernatives away from the athletes village.
Like her North Vancouver neighbours, Rosanna Babcock has no problem with the idea of giving up her home during the games.
"We're hoping to go away for a couple of weeks. We just feel it's going to be a bit busy in town so [we're] hoping to get a little family r and r somewhere,'' she said.
In Whistler, some homeowners are hoping to cash in by renting their homes for a month in the winter of 2010.
On one Whistler cul-de-sac, residents are asking $2,000 per night and they say they have had some serious interest.
It's the same story in North Vancouver, where Lorne MacInnes listed his home for $1,000 a night. That was 18 months ago. Now he could probably ask for more. But he is wary of being greedy.
"A lot of people overspeculated in Salt Lake City, and were left without any rentals at all. So it's just going to be whatever the market bears"
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Mike Killeen.
