Market begins heating up for 2025 U.S. Open rental properties in and around Oakmont (2024)

A rental frenzy is underway in Oakmont and surrounding communities in anticipation of the 2025 U.S. Open Championship.

Some homeowners already are looking to cash in, potentially raking in big bucks, by renting out their homes to golf fans, who will be flocking to the borough for the June 12 to 15 tournament at Oakmont Country Club.

“The early bird gets the worm,” said Realtor Addie Perkins-Galey of the Julie Rost Team at Berkshire Hathaway of Squirrel Hill. “It’s going to get wild. I think the next six months will be crucial for homeowners putting their house on the rental event market, and anybody wanting to list should get the ball rolling.”

Many homeowners, such as Sang Hong of Oakmont, are turning to social media and popular vacation rental websites such as Airbnb, VRBO and TripAdvisor to maximize their home’s digital footprint in an effort to secure a booking.

Hong is hoping to book his four-bedroom home within walking distance of Oakmont Country Club for a second time, having rented it out during the U.S. Amateur Championship in the 1990s.

“I made $5,000 back then,” he said.

Hong recently listed his home for $20,000 on Accomodation forTheEvent.com.

“Obviously, it’s financial. That’s the driving force,” said Hong, who has lived in Oakmont since 1991.

He paid a fee of $195 to list his home on the site.

As of Monday, there were 12 listings on the site advertising one-week rentals for the 2025 U.S. Open. Rental prices ranged from $5,500 to $350,000.

The website lists properties for numerous golf tournaments around the globe, including the Ryder Cup, Phoenix Open, Women’s Open UK and the Irish Open.

Hong said he’s taking a relaxed approach to the whole process.

“I feel very indifferent. If it doesn’t happen, it’s no sweat,” Hong said.

Oakmont has hosted 17 USGA championships, and next summer will mark the 10th U.S. Open held on the historic course. About 200,000 spectators are expected, according to USGA officials.

Hong’s residence has what many attendees desire — walkability to the course and to Oakmont’s business district with bars, shops, boutiques and restaurants.

Hong said he’s not worried about having a stranger stay in his home, particularly because his previous rental experience was a positive one.

“It was left in great shape. They left a thank-you basket and said they appreciated the accommodations,” Hong said. “My wife was ambivalent, but I told her, ‘Let’s give it a shot.’ ”

If he snags a rental contract, Hong plans to go on vacation with his wife, four cats and dog.

Championship events create a surge in bookings, said Brian Higgins, accommodation manager at Accommodation for The Event Ltd., based in Ireland.

Higgins provided insight into the logistics of providing lodging for attendees at prestigious golf events.

“Bookings can happen years prior to events,” he said. “The U.S. Open is one of the biggest corporate events in the world.”

Property listings have resulted in rental rates soaring as high as six figures for some homeowners, though rates in the Pittsburgh area are expected to range from $10,000 to $40,000 for a weeklong rental.

Higgins noted a record listing of $350,000 for a home during the 2020 U.S. Open in New York.

“We always anticipate and plan to rent every property on the website,” Higgins said. “Between now and March, the majority of bookings will take place — about 600 to 800 listings in total. U.S. Open attendees like to rent a home and immerse themselves in the local community.”

A team of five representatives from Accommodation plans to visit Pittsburgh in August to meet with select, high-end property owners to help them secure renters.

Higgins said many people or organizations don’t mind paying a hefty fee for such amenities.

Celebrities, professional golfers, corporations and media outlets look for privacy, security and, sometimes, land that can accommodate a helicopter.

Homeowners with flat acreage should play up that particular amenity because only a half-acre of land is required to accommodate a helicopter, Higgins said.

Having a cluster of homes available in what Higgins referred to as the “pandemonium circle” (the area within 3 to 5 miles of Oakmont Country Club) is most appealing, but folks hoping to rent their homes outside that perimeter shouldn’t lose hope.

“Security is and will be very tight in that circle, but we block off rentals in homes located more than a 90-minute drive away from a course,” Higgins said. “The ideal property is between 15 and 30 minutes from the golf venue, close to two or three other golf courses and has nearby eateries. Those are quite important for the listing because they’re coming to play golf as well as spectate it.”

Jonathan Coe, USGA Championship communications assistant director, said a rental property’s location always comes into play in terms of booking success, and rental time frames range from five to 10 days for players and staff groups.

“The closer the proximity to Oakmont Country Club, the more likely the home will be rented,” Coe said.

As many as 200 USGA employees will travel to Pittsburgh to orchestrate the tournament, he added.

Coe noted players have three top requests when seeking lodging: amenities, proximity and privacy.

John Connelly, who moved to Oakmont four years ago, is considering renting his home after hearing all the buzz around Oakmont the past few weeks.

“It’s a good bit of money, and I’m right across from the golf course, so it’s convenient,” said Connelly, a resident of the Fairways of Oakmont.

Connelly said potential earnings exceeding $10,000 is motivating.

“I’d probably go on vacation and get away from all the traffic and craziness,” said Connelly, who works part time as a school crossing guard for Riverview School District.

Social media likely will be Connelly’s go-to forum if he decides to list his home as a rental.

He said he’ll make a decision on whether to rent by the end of summer.

“It might be kind of fun to be around all the craziness, and also I just don’t know what kind of people you’re gonna get renting,” Connelly said. “Bottom line, it’s an opportunity to earn some darn good money.”

The demand for rentals ramps up in cities lacking a large number of hotels.

“Oakmont is average in terms of availability,” Coe said.

Amanda Bailley Deforno lives on 13 acres in Kiski Township, Armstrong County, about a 35-minute drive from the country club.

She said she’s on a mission to rent out the more than 8,000-square-foot home she lives in with her husband and four young children.

“We want to provide a nice, private, custom home to enjoy,” Deforno said. “I tried to rent out our home the last time the U.S. Open was in Oakmont and missed it.”

Deforno is working with the assistance of the U.S. Golf Association and an affiliated Realtor to rent her property.

Deforno said she would love to see a pro golfer and his family, or perhaps two families, book her rural residence.

“People are saying they would do it because they know my house is very lovely and very private,” she said.

Home amenities include five bedrooms, a $20,000 chandelier, a bar, a lower-level arcade with billiards, skeeball, movie theater and two full kitchens.

Deforno said she is open to different price points.

“I want fair market value,” she said. “It’s my idea, and my husband is just going along with all of it.”

Somma Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar owner Susan Somma of Plum rented her popular pizza eatery to 84 Lumber for the 2007 U.S. Open.

“We have a full-service restaurant, and we’re right across the street from Oakmont Country Club,” Somma said. “We fit 120 cars in our parking lot, and I would be more than happy to book another corporation.”

84 Lumber rented Somma for a week and paid a six-figure rental fee, said Somma, declining to provide the exact amount.

“It was a very positive experience for us,” she said. “I’m here and hopeful a corporation would like to have our restaurant for entertaining.”

All home sizes allowed

Online rental listings range from modest to luxury.

One listing on Accommodation features a $30,000 listing for a three-bedroom home 1 mile from the country club.

Accommodation’s priciest listing to date is $350,000 for the Oakmont Inn, a 10-room boutique hotel on 1 acre directly across from the course.

Co-owner Michael McManus said he has been in contact with several prospective renters and is in discussions with a group, but would not provide additional details to protect their privacy.

McManus said he is hopeful the inn will book soon.

“I think it’s very likely, and we want to be part of the community and this event,” he said.

McManus, originally from Indiana Township, plans to travel from Florida to be on-site during the U.S. Open, if needed.

“If the renter wanted me out, that’s fine, but my idea is I would be available as a resource. It’s whatever they want,” McManus said.