Enterprising property owners hope to jump on the money train they see rolling toward Tampa Bay by offering apartment and condo rentals for the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Nightly and weekly rentals are now being advertised online, targeting 50,000 delegates, dignitaries and journalists who will invade downtown Tampa as the event begins on Aug. 27, 2012.

Some property owners will hit it big.

Oprah Winfrey spent $50,000 a week for a home in Denver during the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Out-of-town corporate sponsors and wealthy donors often pay thousands per night to rent large waterfront homes and mansions for parties and events.

If you're thinking about purchasing an investment property or are willing to rent out your own property for a week or two, this might be a way to may some quick cash!

In June 2011, 3404 homes were sold in the Tampa Bay area with a median price of $124,000. This compares with 3,333 homes sold during the same period last year which translates into a 2% increase in the number of homes closed and a 7% decline in the median price (from $134,000 to $124,000). At the end of the month there were 21,350 homes for sale in the area; 16% of the available homes sold in the last month - this translates into an inventory of 6 months. There has been a 21% decrease in the number of homes available for sale from June 2010 to June 2011 (from 27,045 to 21,350).