Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Temporary Housing
This article is relevant for everyone searching for short-term housing. From those relocating temporarily for work to those moving – hoping to secure a spot to get a feel for the new environment before committing to a long-term lease or mortgage. This is for all of you, and there are a few important things you should know before you start.
We’re listing the biggest, most common traps people on the hunt for temporary housing fall into.
Relocating can be stressful enough, and we hope to save you from having to endure any additional hassles.
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Common Mistake: Failure to Research
The best thing to do when unfamiliar with an area you’re moving to is to research it.
It doesn’t have to be anything heady or time consuming. Go online and take a moment to explore where you’re going; check it out on Google Maps.
This is an excellent way to give yourself a broader view of what’s there:
- Where are the parks?
- Are there hiking trails?
- Which neighborhood or area can you see yourself living in?
- What is the layout of the town?
Get insight into things like the cost of living, and a general sense of what it has to offer. All this knowledge will help with the transition, making it smoother.
You may find some restaurants that look so delicious, you can’t wait to sit in the sun on their outdoor patio tucking into the delicious local fare – tender churrasco with a slightly spicy herby and fresh chimichurri sauce.
Common Mistake: Failure to Organize & Plan
When you have an idea of what the environment is like, it’s easier to envision what life will be like when you move.
You’ll know:
- Where you’re going to be working
- The size of the town or city
- When the tourist season is
- What it’s known for
- What the different neighborhoods are like
- What interests you there and how it can enrich your life
Planning provides a sense of direction. It’s vital you know what you’re going to be doing, what you need, and what your days are going to look like. That, coupled with a sense of the environment you’re going to be in, makes it much easier to organize.
Failure to plan appropriately may result in you:
- Ending up with a lengthy commute
- Missing an opportunity to be near something you enjoy
- Feeling disorganized, unprepared, and stressed
Common Mistake: Failure to Consider Must-Haves
Looking for temporary housing sometimes comes with a sense of urgency. You may feel like you have to grab the first place you see, even if it means totally settling.
Before starting your search, be clear on what you’re looking for:
- What type of home do you require?
- What appliances and amenities do you need?
- Should it be pet friendly?
- What neighborhoods are you open to?
- What is your budget?
- Do you need space for parking?
- Are you interested in customizing furnishing?
It’s an unfortunate reality that people who don’t take the time to mull over their must-haves usually end up settling for what they get. It’s only after that they realize what they’re missing.
Common Mistake: Failure to Embrace Technology
Okay, here’s the biggest chance people miss when searching for temporary housing.
Most people coax themselves over to their computer – perhaps they’ve bribed themselves there with a donut or another sweet treat – and google ‘corporate housing’ in whatever city or place they’re heading.
A list of properties pops up. They quickly click through, scan the pics, overview, and stats, and call each location one by one, and wait for a callback.
Slightly unpleasant and altogether time consuming.
Good news, you don’t have to put yourself through that. No matter where you’re searching for a place – from Miami, Florida, population 439,890 to Mound, Louisiana, population 12 – there are companies you can use to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Travelers Haven is one of them. You provide them with all your must-have criteria, and they embark on the search for you, for free.
All you have to do is visit their website. Fill out a brief form letting them know the dates you need the rental and where you’d like to rent. One of their reps will call you to ensure what they have is correct, and see if there’s anything additional you’d like to include.
Then, they run a search on your behalf and come back with a list of options for you to choose from. All you have to do is pick your favorite.
Their team is familiar with all sorts of regions, and they find homes in rural areas as well as urban settings. Their properties are vetted, and their invoice and billing process is simple.
Using a service like theirs is a no brainer. It’s free, and you save a ton of time.
Conclusion:
Follow these tips, and finding your temporary home becomes a simple, straightforward – even pleasant – process. And best of all, you won’t have to muddle your way through any of the common mistakes.
