By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Some people who live in and around downtown St. Louis are making the most of this weekend's big Final Four crowds.
With hotels booked they're renting their lofts and condos to out-of-town fans.
Gail Whitcomb has lived in a downtown loft for about a year.
But this weekend she'll stay elsewhere and let a friend-of-a-friend rent her place.
"The initial thought was 'Yeah, I could make a few bucks.' But in thinking about it I think it's a terrific way to show them some St. Louis hospitality," Whitcomb said.
It could also be an expensive way to show hospitality.
A few places on the website Craigslist are listed for $500 or $1,000 a night.
Roger Plackemeier's loft, about six blocks from the Edward Jones Dome, is going on Craigslist for $1,000 a night.
He's going to be out of town on business anyway, but adds: "It's gotta be the right price to put up with the inconvenience of not being in your own home and the risk you take of having someone you don't know in your home, as well."
Plackemeier has a way of finding himself in the middle of big St. Louis events. When the Pope came to town in 19-99, Plackemeier lived in the hi-rise building across from the Cathedral Basilica.