Short-Term Housing: Tips for Finding What You Need
Have you sold a house but not yet found the home you wish to buy? Perhaps you are building a home that isn’t ready yet? Ideally, when you sell one home, you move right into your new home. However, this isn’t always the case. You may find that you have a few days to several months in between selling one home and moving into your next one. In the meantime, you will need to find short-term housing. Thankfully, you have options. Here are some tips for finding the short-term housing you need.
Tip #1: There Are Several Short-Term Housing Options
Short-term housing comes in all shapes and sizes. Let’s look at a few of the most common choices you will have:
- Friends and family: If you have a gap of just a few days, consider staying with someone you know between moves. This option saves a lot of money, especially if you have movers that will store your property until your final move.
- Short-term rentals: These are houses or apartments that allow short leases. Keep in mind that the shorter the lease, the higher your rent is likely to be.
- Sublets: When you sublet, you take over the lease from the original tenant for a specific period of time. Be sure that subletting is allowed by the landlord before signing any papers.
- Vacation rentals: Yes, these homes are typically for those on vacation, but a vacation rental is a good option during the off-season. Vacation homeowners are happy to get a steady income during these times.
- Extended-stay hotels: These hotels have pricing structures for those that need to stay in one place for longer periods of time. Check various hotel chains to find the one with the best price for your length of stay and space requirements.
Tip #2: Know What To Do With Your Stuff
If you don’t have a place to go, neither do your belongings. Some of the short-term housing options allow you to bring your own furniture. However, if you are staying in a hotel, you’ll need someplace to put your things. Even if you can bring your own furniture, you may want to keep some of it in storage to reduce the work when you move again. Find a rental unit that works for your needs. This may be climate-controlled, close to your new home, or easy 24-hour access.
Tip #3: Stay Flexible
Finding short-term housing is different than looking for a long-term home. This means you need to be flexible about the location and amenities offered. If you cannot find what you are looking for, consider doing the following:
- Looking in nearby towns
- Agreeing to more or less square footage
- Worry less about upgraded appliances and other amenities
Remember, this is a short-term solution. This means you might have to deal with a bit of inconvenience.
Tip #4: Length of Stay Matters
You need to think about how long you need short-term housing. Needing a place for a week is far different than needing a place for several months. What works for one length of time may not work well for another. For instance, you are not likely to find a short-term lease for two weeks. On the other hand, you are unlikely to want to live in an extended-stay hotel for three months. If you don’t know how long you need, be sure to pick something that allows you to be flexible with the time.
Tip #5: Think About All the Costs
Some people mistakenly look at just the monthly rent when considering the best short-term housing option. However, you also need to add in such things as:
- Utilities
- Parking
- Storage
- Repairs
When looking at your options, be sure to ask about all costs associated with the stay. You should always know your monthly budget before signing a lease.
Finding short-term housing can be a bit difficult. That’s why you should give us a call. We often know of properties for rent in the area. Let us help you find the best short-term housing solution.