Introducing RentSocial in a Social Kind Of Way

I love to host parties. I love it so much I’ve made it part of my job with Chef’s Table and AlphaBeer events. That’s why when RentSocial invited me to throw a party for them I said YES.

What is RentSocial, you may ask, and why would they foot the bill for a soiree for my friends? They’re a new social renting site that’s dedicated to those who rent and they want to get the word out. I rent, and I know some pretty cool people, so wahlah – party time! I invited several of those cool people over to celebrate being social and learn about this cool new tool that aims to redefine apartment living.

The American dream used to be to own a home. Nowadays that dream is not so ubiquitous. Personally I like renting, and here’s why:

• No yardwork
• I’ll be traveling for TLT and I don’t want to be tied to one place for years
• If something’s broken, they fix it
• No yardwork (did I say that?)

Of course, the problem is finding a place that you’ll love as much as you would if you were going to buy it. That’s where RentSocial helps. In addition to the ability to search by map and to compare the properties that interest you, the site provides a social aspect. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had some pretty icky landlords. The ability to interact with other users helps you avoid that. You can even pay rent if you’re in one of their participating properties!

Once you’re in your home you can “meet” your neighbors (yes, there are privacy settings, including making sure you’re a “Verified Resident”). I could have used that when I first moved to Chicago. I lived in a high rise for three years and the only people I met in my building were the doormen. While they were great, it would have been nice to know who was sharing the elevator with me.

To introduce this service to my guests I set out a spread that included Bacon Deviled Eggs, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Peach & Cinnamon Sangria (recipe below). One of the benefits of renting was aptly illustrated when I went to pop the stuffed mushrooms in the oven – it wasn’t heating. The darn thing was broken. No problem. All I have to do is make a quick call to my landlord and he gets to deal with it.

If you rent now or will be soon you can sign up yourself at RentSocial.com, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Thanks to

• Cara Carriveau
• Felicia Yonter
• Glenn Murray
• Heidi Kohz & husband
• J’nai Gaither
• Jeanelle Sims
• Jeannette & Randy Kravitz
• Jen Knoedl
• Jim Goodrich
• Leyla Arsan (who also brought the RentSocial swag!)
• Lisa Pugliese
• Marisa Ruiz
• Mary Kay Hardcastle
• Melissa Pierce
• Meredith Krupa & Dad
• Mike Altshuler
• Sami Ari
• Suzanne White Montiel & guest
• Tammie Josifovic
• Teresa Hill
• Teresa Peek
• Tommy Hensel

for being my guests!

p.s. One of my favorite parts of RentSocial? They’re in Chicago!

Peach & Cinnamon Sangria

• 2 bottles of white wine (I used sauvignon blanc)
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup Triple Sec or other orange liqueur
• 1/2 can of frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1/4 – 1/3 cup sugar
• 4 – 5 peaches, pitted and sliced
• Dash of cinnamon
• 1/2 bottle club soda

Pour all of the ingredients except club soda in a pitcher and let them sit overnight. Before serving add club soda. Pour over ice (don’t add the ice ahead of time so you don’t dilute it!). Drink. Be social. Just not too social. You don’t want the neighbors calling the landlord on you.

Disclosure: RentSocial provided a gift card to pay for supplies for the party.