"Welcome to my crib," he said, leading me into the foyer. "Mi casa es su casa, and all that. The bathroom’s over there and here’s the office," gesturing to each corresponding space. "We’ve got a PS2 and an Xbox 360 for all your gaming necessities. If you keep up with the rent and pay your dues, you can have access to the turntable if you feel like mixing it old school. If you are planning on staying long, just remember not to play your music loud at night, because you might wake my parents."

Finding reasonable lodgings amid a panic-stricken housing market may seem completely daunting for the blissfully naïve participant. Many people, like Dave, find the market just as hazardous to sell real estate as to buy quality land. However, the savviest market surfers can tap into a resource explored for years but kept under the radar to remain lucrative. That’s why Dave turned his sights inside his own walls. Well, rather, his parents’ walls. Here’s a guide to how the system plays out, so you can take full advantage of room and board opportunities in your neighborhood.

Fact: many homeowners have unused or rarely used rooms. Fact: basements almost always fit into this category. Fact: in a recent poll, 75 percent of adults have never considered renting out part of their house. Fiction: most people are uncomfortable with strangers living downstairs. Explore all of your options when pursuing a living space, and you will often find that there are millions of open arms and basements all across the nation.

Don’t be afraid to get creative when designing your living space. It’s a miracle what a little paint, very little furniture, and furnishings can do to a walk-in closet or spare bathroom. "I really think the personal touches are what make a home so special," Dave explained. "In my opinion, a waterbed really says, ‘I’ve got a lot on my plate, so back off.’ I think they’re perfect for the basement tenant."

People feel the dire situation closing around them and have given up all hope of finding a home. However, anyone who wants to find a place to start a family and future need only to look beneath them.