Ladies,
Giving very serious consideration to advertizing for a FEMALE roommate to share my large house with myself and teenage son. Will use rent money to pay down my loan. Feel this is the only way I can keep my house past CS and maintenance.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Check the local tax laws. Where I am rent counts as income and is thus taxable and you can get into trouble and have to pay a lot in penalties etc. It's not a bad idea in my opinion.

Another idea to pick a roommate is to interview each candidate to get a feel for the person. A couple of friends of mine in the states have had a lot of success in that.

Good Luck!

If you check with your tax person they can also tell you what you would be able to write off.

Look very carefully. There are some nut jobs out there. I would suggest you get an older woman.

There are websites that will help with finding a roommate. Co-abode is one and there are otheres.
Caution on the idea is your ex does not like this idea. I was told that mine could ask for the kids full time if I did this.

Good move!...You will receive some rental income. Read up on being a landlord and ask for 50% security deposit up front. Have the tenant sign a tenant agreement and lay down the rules (ie. noise after 11pm, parking, smoking, partying, etc...)

Then, ask your friends for referrals...sometimes they know people who would need a suite.

If it gets too much for you, hire a property management outfit to interview but you would pay them a fee....but it is worry free because they do all the screening...(and the evictions too!)

Sometimes, if you are lucky you will get a tenant who will also become your friend.