NewsWest 9
PERMIAN BASIN- One look under the housing options on the Odessa/Midland Craigslist website and there's no doubt basin residents are eager to rent out their rooms to visitors attending the Permian Basin International Oil Show.
The Oil Show starts in just two weeks. These residents understand that there is a great deal of money to be made during the show and over just a couple of days.
Midland's Thomas Johnston just dropped the news on his family.
"I woke up this morning and decided to list the house for the oil show," Johnston said. He, his wife and their two kids are moving out and asking for $1,600 a day from whoever decides to rent their five bedroom Midland home during the oil show. "I've never done anything like this," Johnston said.
Johnston listed his home on Craigslist, like hundreds of others have done. Their asking prices are not cheap. Many are asking for thousands of dollars in exchange for just a few nights of stay.
Oil show organizers tell NewsWest 9, most of the area hotel rooms are booked. Visitors are even snagging rooms in cities as far away as Lubbock. Last year, around 35,000 people attended the show. This year, organizers are expecting even more attendees.
"I think Midlanders are just prone to opportunities and this is just an opportunity, just like how anybody else sees it," Johnston said.
He's also willing to throw his boat into the deal and maybe even a vehicle.
