Sunday, March 19, 2017

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- With only two weeks left until The Masters, many homeowners in Augusta area are frustrated they haven't been able to find renters.

Amy Gay started renting out her home in 2007.

"We have 5,000 square feet, plenty of room. I mean this could be a host home or sleeper home," Gay said. "People contacted us asking if we were willing to rent."

She said she starts listing her house in October. It's usually off the market by February, but now it's March

"When we heard nothing we were just wondering what was going on," Gay said.

AirBnB and social media were usually the route Gay and her husband, Randy, took to rent out their home, but with the tournament right around the corner, they started looking for more options.

"I think in February we started adding listings, and it was just as many people as we could contact," Gay said. "I think it may be more than seven. I know I listed with another person last night."

Their home isn't the only one. A listing agent with Par3Rentals said there are more homes still available that are usually rented out by now.

The agent said they're not quite sure why so many homes are still up for grabs this close to the masters. One idea brought up was the increase of new homes built in the area.

"Everybody is in the same situation. They thought it would be no problem and just no luck," Randy Gay said.

The family said Gary Player used to rent out their neighbor's house for years. Now it's another available home on the waiting list.

"It's just weird to go from legend staying next door to no phone calls. It's just an odd situation really," Randy said.

Gay said their fingers are crossed for someone to take their home off the list before the pros hit the links.