July 3, 2022

2471 Views

How To Turn A Home Into a Rental for Travel Nurses or Others

Posted on July 3, 2022June 9, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

There are many today who are choosing rental homes over hotel rooms or other short-term housing. The industry is changing drastically, and it has become effortless for a person to rent out their home or condo on a short-term or long-term basis. However, if one is looking to turn their home into a rental, there are a few things they must consider and prepare before opening up their home to others.

Determine if the Home Is Suitable

In some instances, a person may be looking to buy a property to become a rental, and a first-time home buyer may find the process overwhelming. But it is not impossible when given the proper knowledge and preparation. The first step is determining if the property would be suitable for a rental.

There are a few questions to ask when considering if the property would be a good place for people to rent out for a vacation or short or long-term housing. One thing to ask is whether or not the location is desirable? Are there any popular attractions nearby or amenities that would draw people to the home? What might be something unique about the property that may draw people? And are there any other rental properties close by or even in the same neighborhood? These are just some questions to ponder.

There is also the critical task of finding out if the property can be legally rented out short term. Each state, city, county, or even homeowners association could have strict rules and regulations regarding vacation rentals. It will be vital to learn them before opening up the property for rental.

Decisions to Make

Once it is determined that the property would be suitable to become a rental, the next step would be making a few decisions about how this rental will be run. The first decision will be choosing the time frame of when a person could rent out the property. Will it be seasonal, year-round, or short-term? That will entirely depend on the property owner’s schedule and if they need the home on certain days throughout the year. It may also depend on the location’s regulations on rental properties.

Another thing to decide is whether or not the entire property will be rented out or if a portion will be available. When considering the answer to this question, some things to think about would be determining if engaging with strangers will be uncomfortable or not. If the thought is unsettling, it would be best to consider renting the entire property and not being present.

Setting the Rules

The decisions have been made now to set the rules for the guests. There should be a good balance of rules. Too many rules can turn off guests, but too few rules will lead to potential damage. Once the rules have been set, put them together in a welcome packet for guests to go through upon arrival with the information they may need during their stay and all the rules they must follow.

Preparing the Property

Once all the rules have been set, it is time to get the property ready for renters. There are a lot of details that go into preparing a home for rental. One of the primary things to do is clean the home inside and out. Ensure all of the appliances are functional and usable, and the furniture is of good quality. The safety equipment should all be up to date and easily accessible such as carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

Make sure also to take down any family photos or other personal items. Put all of these items in a secure location, like a locked closet that guests cannot open. Keep a stock inside the property of specific necessities such as pots and pans, utensils, plates, cups, other dishware, and certain toiletries and cleaning products.

Turning your property into a rental can be an exciting time, but do not forget that it requires much work. But in the end, it can be rewarding and a significant investment.

We hope you found this article on how to turn your house into a rental for travel nurses helpful. Have you turned your home into a rental? Do you have any tips to share? Comment below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Jenny Hart

March 19, 2022

2350 Views

What to Look for in Your Short-Term Home Rental?

Posted on March 19, 2022March 7, 2022 by Jenny Hart

If you are a travel nurse, then you know that finding a short-term rental can be a daunting task. Not only do you have to worry about the location and size of the home, but you also need to make sure that it has all of the amenities that you will need while on assignment. When looking for a short-term rental, it’s important to consider the other necessities. For example, how close is the rental to the hospital? Is there a grocery store and other conveniences within walking distance? If you will be driving, is there parking available? These are all things that you will need to take into consideration when making your decision.

Short-term rental must-haves

Consider these options when you are looking into short-term home rentals. Everyone will have different needs, but use this list as a guide when you are about to take on a new assignment.

Close proximity to the hospital, restaurants, and grocery stores

When looking for a short-term rental, be sure to consider the location. If you’ll be working near a certain hospital or in a specific city, try to find a rental within close proximity. This will save you time during your commute and allow you to explore your new surroundings more easily. If you’re close to your hospital, you may be able to walk or bike there. If not, a short commute by car or public transportation will help to mitigate added stress. The closer your rental is to the hospital, the less time you will spend commuting. If you have to commute for more than 30 minutes, it’s going to add a lot of unnecessary stress to your already hectic schedule. Look for rentals that offer shuttle services or are located within walking distance of public transportation.

It’s no secret that travel nurses work long hours and often leave their shifts exhausted. Because of this, a short-term rental that is close to everything you want will make a huge difference in your overall mood. After your shift, you may be too tired to cook, so a grocery store with ready-made food can be a lifesaver. If you live close to restaurants, then delivery services like Instacart and DoorDash can deliver groceries or food to you most hours of the day. Close proximity to parks or other areas where you can enjoy fresh air and nature. Nursing is stressful by design, and it’s essential to be able to go outside and unwind after a long day (or week).

Washer, dryer, and other appliances

The life of a travel nurse is hectic. This means that everything in your rental should help to make your life as easy as possible. Look for short-term rentals that come with a washer and dryer. You’ll find that you probably won’t have the time or energy to go to a laundromat to wash your scrubs and other clothes. In addition, look for rentals that come with other appliances, like a microwave and dishwasher. This will help to cut down on the amount of time you spend cooking and cleaning. It’s easy for dishes to pile up, laundry to go unwashed, and unhealthy food to be eaten when you’re working long hours. Look for rentals that offer appliances that can help you keep up with your chores.

Home office

Most travelers are not off on solo adventures and need to consider home perks for their spouse and families. For many spouses, that means having a home office to conduct your business. In my experience, my significant other usually has an office to work in if we are traveling to most major cities (because he works for a large company), but it is always nice to have your own space. If you need to work from home occasionally, it’s helpful to have an office area in your rental. This way, you won’t have to set up and tear down a workspace every day.

Look for a rental that comes with solid WiFi services. It’s especially important to ensure that your data is protected if you are dealing with private matters related to your job. You’ll need to have competent malware protection to help with that. Other home office must-haves are a standing desk (so you’re not sitting for hours!), an aerodynamic keyboard to protect your wrists, hands, and fingers, and a large monitor to take some stress off of your eyes.

Pet-friendly accommodations

Many of us travel nurses have someplace that we leave our furry friends—from family to friends to significant others. For long assignments, it may seem impossible to be away from your pet for that long. Because of this, look for pet-friendly housing. Short-term rentals are already hard to come by but adding a space that allows for pets makes it even harder. Be prepared to pay an additional fee if you’re bringing Fido along for your assignment. Working long days may also leave you needing either a dog walker or doggy door to keep your dog entertained during the day. Bringing pets along can make your trips less lonely, but you’ll need to look for rentals that have fences or are in close proximity to a dog park or dog walkers.

Parking

If you have a car, make sure the rental has parking available. This is especially important if the rental is located in a city. You don’t want to hunt for a parking spot after pulling an all-nighter or move your car every 12 hours so that you don’t get a ticket. Easy parking should be a must when you are on your travel assignments.

Short-term rentals for nurses are becoming increasingly common.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need for travel nurses has increased exponentially. It’s becoming easier to find short-term rentals that are meant for travel nurses due to supply and demand. Landlords also realize that travel nurses are less likely to cause any kind of issues due to their demanding work schedule.

It’s important to find a place that meets your needs so that you can have a successful and enjoyable experience while travel nursing. Do you want to live with roommates? Are you bringing your dog along on the adventure? What about a home office so that you can relax and take care of all of your administrative tasks? Use this list as a guide to know what to look for as you begin your search for the perfect house. Do you have any short-term home rental tips to add? Share them in the comments below. And be sure to check out our other blog posts for more information on travel nursing.

By Furnished Finder

March 12, 2022

11054 Views

Should I Sign a Short Term Lease?

Posted on March 12, 2022March 12, 2022 by Furnished Finder

When finding short term housing it is a nice goal to want to “have it all”. Perfect location, beautiful apartment, affordable pricing, and laid back lease terms. However, as travel nurses looking for housing to accommodate us for a few months at a time, it can be difficult to hit every single checkmark on our list.

As my husband and I got more experienced in finding our own travel nurse housing, we started to realize that one easy way to cut back on living expenses is to sign a short term lease for the unit we were interested in. Although a lot of our landlords on Furnished Finder do not require you to sign a lease, by offering to do so you may be able to negotiate a lower rent or move to the top of the list if they have multiple applicants. By giving some guarantee to the landlords, they can often reduce their prices slightly because they don’t have to worry about the “what ifs” of an empty apartment. While signing a lease does come with some risks, the benefits of a longer agreement rather than a month-to-month rental may be worth it.

Know the Risks

Before signing a short term lease, check to see what the cost of breaking said lease would be. If the short term rental saves you $100 a month over three months, but it costs you $2,000 if you move out early due to contract cancellation, it probably isn’t worth the risk. However, if it saves you $500 a month, it might be worth considering.

Check Move Out Requirements

Some apartments require a 60-day notice if you will be leaving at the end of your lease. For travel nurses, this means at week four of your contract you will need to know whether you plan to extend or not or risk being charged money for late notice. If you know for sure you will not be extending, this might be okay but if you want to wait and see you may not be able to give your full notice. Usually, your best bet will be to try and find a place that allows a 30-day notice.

Ask About Going Month to Month

At a lot of apartment complexes, you can switch to month-to-month after your initial lease expires. This is great because you can finish your initial contract and lease and not feel obligated to stay another full three months if you can make your housing situation work for a shorter extension. Plus, with month-to-month, there is usually a shorter move-out notice requirement.

Have Some Money Saved

It is always a good idea to have an emergency fund as a travel nurse, but this is especially important if you opt to sign a short term lease for housing. In the event that your contract gets canceled unexpectedly, you will have to be prepared to pay any penalties that come with ending a lease early unless you can find a different job in the same area.

Plan for a Little Overlap

The chances that your lease start and end dates line up perfectly with your contract dates aren’t super likely. You may have to plan for a few days at the beginning or end where you stay in a hotel to make the timing work out. If this happens at the end of your lease you may even be able to crash on a coworker’s couch for your last couple of shifts to help save money.

The financial benefits of signing a lease can often be the deciding factor for if it is the right move for you. Not only does signing a short term lease save you money, but it can also give you peace of mind knowing that you are secure in your living space for the duration of your contract. As long as you have an emergency fund in case of cancellation, you should be able to sign a lease for your travel nurse contract with minimal worries.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Gifted Healthcare

March 3, 2022

1466 Views

5 Renter-Friendly Tips to Spruce Up Your Travel Nursing Home

Posted on March 3, 2022February 28, 2022 by Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

With all the amazing perks that come with travel nursing, there are a few things that can make the jump a bit harder to take. One difficult task is to find housing that fits your needs, but once you do, an even more challenging task might be making your travel nursing home feel like home.

The easiest thing you can do from the start is to bring a few of your favorite smaller, packable items with you. Pack your favorite photos of friends and family, books, and décor to add little bits of your life and personality throughout your place right away. Since you cannot pack up everything, being selective with the smaller items you love is key. Try to pick items that you would enjoy while considering space: would you rather see pictures of your friends and family throughout your home or large art?

After setting up the décor you packed, look around your new home and decide what room and/or areas of the house could use a little sprucing up and utilize these tips and tricks.

Lighting

The lighting of your apartment or home can dictate the entire ambiance. A place with big windows will bring natural light into your space, but if that isn’t the case for your temporary home, try adding light where you can.

Start by decorating your windows with curtains. Opening your curtains during the day allows natural light to soak in but also provides privacy when necessary. There are some temporary options for curtain rods and hooks that will not damage your rental, including adhesive Command Strips.

String lights, lamps, and pendant lights are all options to add light to your temporary space. A pendant light with a cord can easily be hung with an adhesive hook, so it hangs from your ceiling, adding style and overhead light. This will look especially chic in a corner spot. String lights also hang well with adhesive hooks and can frame a wall to brighten up your space. Try them along the wall your bed is perpendicular to for some cozy nighttime light.

Lighting can elevate the ambiance as well as the overall look of your newfound space. Try LED motion-sensor lights under your cabinets to make your kitchen feel more upscale. The motion sensors will come in handy for your early mornings or late nights when you are coming and going from shifts too.

Organization

The organization of your home might be the easiest way to feel at ease in the new spot. When everything has a place, your space will feel put together and ready for your busy schedule. The bonus perk of this is that you can add style while organizing each room. Try to find a variety of storage items that will match your décor to create a cohesive vibe. Long narrow fabric bins for under your bed are a great option to increase your storage while hiding your clothes. Storage bins in your bathroom are perfect for products and toiletries.

When it comes to storage, shelving can be a bit trickier for a rental space, but it is definitely doable with adhesive stick options. Try to find floating shelves that come with adhesive strips or shelves that hang from strings you can hook to the wall. Shelves create storage and organization that your place might lack and could be a focal point for your décor as well. The best part is that you can pack your shelves up and bring them with you to the next place.

Color

Most rental locations tend to have white walls and neutral tones, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t add a little color to your spot. There are so many ways to add a pop throughout your place that can travel with you to each assignment.

Peel and stick wallpaper makes for a fun accent wall and a great way to add some life to your home. You can choose your color and/or pattern and placement, giving you all of the power to make your new home unique. Measure the length of your wall, cut your pieces, and carefully place the paper on your wall until you are ready to pack up and head to your next travel nursing assignment. Most peel and stick wallpapers are reusable so do a little research before you purchase to ensure you get extra use.

If you want to spice up an entire room, try looking for an accent rug that immediately brings you joy. Rugs are a powerful way to completely change the way a room looks and feels. You can find any size, so whether it is a large rug for the living space or a smaller rug to just add a touch of color to your closet, try this out and see what you like best.

For some subtle color, pick up flowers for your kitchen table. This is a convenient way to add color, texture, and life to your home without adding any new items to your suitcase. This is also interchangeable décor that you can replace with new colors as your old flowers begin to wilt without ever having to bring them along for your next move.

Secret Renovations

When renting a place or living somewhere temporarily, you don’t have the same freedom to make long-lasting renovations you might want to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it look like you renovated the place. If you don’t love the kitchen counters, find an adhesive paper of what you would want them to look like. You can transform your counter space to look like a slab of marble without any construction at all. The paper is easily removable with no damage, just like the peel and stick wallpaper.

The best part about this is that you can use this hack on almost anything. Purchase peel and stick tile backsplash or floor tiles to upgrade your kitchen and bathroom. No one would know that it was only a façade, not even you.

Clean

Sometimes just having a clean space can make all the difference. Simple things like dusting your baseboards and deep cleaning the shower can make you feel more comfortable in the new space. There are useful products for locked-in dirt like grout pens to cover any stain, spackle to fill any holes in the walls, and more.

Make it You

Although this new housing might not be forever, it is your space for your 13-week contract, and you want to feel good after a long shift walking into your home. But before trying any of these little hacks, take pictures of your new spot so that when it comes time to pack up, you know how to leave the place just as you found it. It is also important to read over your lease and see what is allowed and strictly not allowed as it is different everywhere you go. Most importantly, have fun and decorate your space to feel like you!

We hope you found these 5 Renter Friendly Tips to Spruce Up Your Travel Nursing Home helpful. Have you found ways to spruce your travel nursing home up? Comment any tips for sprucing up travel nursing homes below.

Are you looking for your next travel nursing assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Furnished Finder

January 21, 2022

1254 Views

Want To Know What Your Landlord Says About You?

Posted on January 21, 2022January 21, 2022 by Furnished Finder

Oh, if we could only be a fly on the wall when it comes to what landlords say about travel nurses… That’s exactly what we’re going to do! A recent survey from Furnished Finder, the leading travel nurse housing platform, asked landlords what they like about renting to traveling healthcare professionals like travel nurses. Here’s what they had to say.

What a delight

Nurse to Nurse…What a delight to receive a Housing Request from Furnished Finder. A first responder looking for a house to stay for a few months. She is a travel nurse needing a better space than a hotel room with a limited space. I was grateful to host her. As a nurse myself, I was able to anticipate her housing needs responded to her questions and concerns quickly as possible. Above all, this was a great opportunity to host and support our first responder. Times like this, all we need is someone to listen to our concerns and fears as we face this terrible time of the pandemic. Not only did I provide her a place she called a temporary home, but I also gained a friend! – Jane Scritchfield

Teacher turned landlord

As a teacher, the greatest way to make a positive impact in my community was to host travel nurses via Furnished Finder. My current travel nurse has grown to be like a sister to me. It’s not just about the money, but the relationship that grows when another professional who is dedicated to helping others is living with you. It has changed my life!! – Kathryn Moore

I get to meet interesting people

I have been renting rooms in my house through Furnished Finder since 2018. I have had about 12 travel nurses, lab techs, and other professionals from many different parts of the country. I get to meet interesting people (and cats, dogs, and ferrets) and make money from my house at the same time. – Nancy Fiske

The best top-notch guests

What I love most about renting on Furnished Finder is being able to meet different people from all over our country. I also love how my guests are travel nurses. In my opinion, they are the best top-notch guests you can have as a landlord. During this pandemic, it has been a pleasure to make them feel at home, a home away from home. I will continue to host on Furnished Finder and tell other landlords about it all the time. – Jennifer Golden

I fell in love with a travel nurse

I started renting my house on Furnished Finder when I fell in love with a travel nurse. Because my job allows me to work remotely, I am able to take my work on the road and travel with her. Therefore, my home is available to rent to other travelers in search of short-term furnished rentals. I’m new to the scene, but I’ve only had positive experiences so far. It also helps that my home is only a mile away from a hospital…which is how I met my partner. She was looking for a place to live near the hospital, and a mutual friend knew I was looking for a roommate. And the rest is her-story. – Trina B.

I too am a travel nurse

I’m a travel nurse and have listed my property, and my Condo stays rented out while I am on the road. I love the platform. So easy to screen potential renters. – Judith Lycan

I get to meet dedicated nurses

I enjoy being a landlord through Furnished Finder due to the ability to meet interesting and dedicated nurses that are doing their part to give back to others. I am amazed at the professionalism and dedication of those that have stayed with me. I have had three travel nurses stay in my home over the last year or so, and each one of them have their own unique qualities that give me faith in our healthcare system. They are not only dedicated to their profession, but they are making sacrifices for their family by being away and serving others. It has been refreshing to meet the individuals that have stayed with me, and I will always provide a home to those nurses that need a place to stay while working here in Nashville, TN, and the surrounding areas. – Steve Heim

My best friend is a travel nurse

I got involved with Furnished Finder because one of my best friends is a travel nurse. My husband and I have a 4-bedroom home with the bedrooms being used only occasionally when family visits. So we started the adventure this year with a tenant, and it is working out very well for us. We get to supplement our retirement income with very little effort. Our current tenant has been with us for almost 6 months on an extended contract, and we love her. We enjoy the interaction but respect the privacy of our tenant and believe we provide a safe and clean respite for the hero in our midst! – Helen Sayes

Very little housing in my area

I have THREE travel nurses staying with me in the Augusta, Maine, area. They say there is very little housing in this area…I am so thankful for Furnished Finders and for the fact that I can help these three lovely ladies!!! – Judith Nuber

Absolutely fantastic tenants

Finding out about Furnished Finders has been one of the best things to happen to me in a good long while! I own 3 furnished condos and have been renting them to tenants I’ve found on Furnished Finders for the last 6 months or so. All of my tenants- so far- have been travel nurses, and most all of them have been absolutely fantastic tenants- professional, responsible, conscientious, caring, and great communicators. I so very much appreciate what nurses and medical staff are doing- these days more than ever; it’s wonderful to be contributing in a small way- by providing a beautiful place they can call home away from home for the few months they are on their traveling assignments. The Furnished Finders website and the smartphone app make communication easy and convenient. The amount of inquiries I receive along with tenant leads is phenomenal. Furnished Finders, thank you SO much for providing a great service and terrific tenants! – Paul Torok

Amazing travel nurses at my home!

I have had 100% occupancy with amazing travel nurses at my home! Everyone has been a great tenant, and they’ve all left the house in perfect condition! I live furnished finder!! – Maureen Fitzpatrick

Heaven sent

Travel nurses have been Heaven-sent. Nurses need a quiet, close, secure, CLEAN place to stay, so fur us, it’s a win-win! We are getting a QUALITY renter, and they love our beach location. – Nicole Trotter Henry

I was a Travel Nurse.

I know the struggles of finding a place to rest in a new location every 3 months so when I finally settled down and bought my house, I decided to rent a room to fellow Travel Nurses and make them feel as comfortable in my home as if they were my own family and it worked! I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I’m happy, they’re happy, and it’s all good! – Angie Mahan

All have been awesome

I have rented to several travel nurses and medical techs. All have been AWESOME. The fact that they are background checked, drug tested, and make above-average salaries gives me a sense of security and confidence. They have all come from Furnished Finder!! Thanks. – Sandra Sorrells

I decided I needed a roomate

Renting through Furnished has been a great experience for me. I bought a home in a very expensive market (Austin, TX), and the mortgage is a huge burden on a nurse’s salary. I decided I needed a roommate in my three-bedroom/two-bathroom house, but I love having my own space. I also have my house decorated the way I like it and don’t want to accommodate someone else’s furniture, art, etc.; a few friends of mine who are travel nurses suggested Furnished Finder. I love the flexibility of sharing my home for several months and then taking a break between tenants if I choose to. I live very close to several hospitals, so it’s convenient for those staying with me. I have actually had fun setting up the room and bathroom to be cute and cozy—I try to have everything set up so that my tenants only have to bring their clothes & toiletries. By providing laundry detergent, cleaning products, TP & paper towels, and putting flowers, candles, or other welcoming touches in the guest rooms, it is such a small expense to me that goes a long way to make things easier and nicer for my guests. Sharing my home has also given me a push to continue my efforts of home improvement—fixing up my patio & backyard, hanging outdoor lights, repainting the shed, getting a new TV and dining table, among other things. The extra income has allowed me to hire housecleaners which makes my life easier AND is a great bonus for my guests. Now that I am sharing my home with renters, I feel like I always need to keep my home “company ready.” One unexpected bonus is that I have made a few great new friends who I never would have met otherwise! – Elizabeth Stephens

The smartest thing I can do

Renting to travel nurses and medical people is the smartest thing I can do with my completely furnished rental apartment. Furnished Finder makes it easy and more affordable than other agencies I have used. The medical people are immaculate and appreciate the quiet and convenience of my location….near 3 hospitals and in a quiet and safe neighborhood on Lake Michigan – Sunny Boehme.

Great place to find potential renters

Furnished Finder has been a great place for us to find potential renters. My wife has been a travel nurse for many years and has used Furnished Finder to find housing. We live in the panhandle of Florida, and when hurricane Michael came through, we had to have a big restoration done to our home. We decided to take that opportunity to update the 2 rooms upstairs and use them specifically for renting. Now we receive inquiries almost weekly about our rooms whether they are occupied or not. Now we are looking at building tiny homes and renting those out using Furnished Finder. We feel very secure using this site because we know upfront that the people requesting housing have a job, that the job is for at least 13 weeks (most of the time), and even if they are not nurses, they are working professionals. We will never not use Furnished Finder if you rent your property and want to do it safely. Furnished Finder should be your go-to. – Michael Covington

It is a win-win

I have been using Furnished Finder for 6 months and have helped travel nurses have safe and affordable housing while also being able to help me pay down on my mortgage! It’s been a win-win! I’ve met some very cool nurses and have had a blast exchanging stories and getting to see more about the nursing industry. – Junior Fifer

I felt compelled

I have been a super host with AirBNB until the pandemic hit. It was then that I started to look elsewhere and ‘discovered’ Furnished Finder. I felt compelled to do this as a service to healthcare workers in my small way. Since then, I have had a good experience with travel nurses and will continue to do so. They are superstars to me. – Rosemary Rausch

We hope you enjoyed reading what landlords had to say about hosting travel nurses and working with Furnished Finder. Are you a landlord? Do you use Furnished Finder? Tell us about your experience in the comments below. If you are interested in being a landlord and listing with Furnish Finder, click the link in the next paragraph.

About Furnished Finder 

Furnished Finder is the leading housing platform for traveling professionals and remote workers looking for monthly furnished housing in the US. With more than 75,000 properties and representing a potential of 20M bookable nights per month, Furnished Finder is the source of direct bookings for landlords, property managers, and hoteliers. Fueled by their strategic industry partnerships and high search ranking, traveling nurses, remote workers, and other traveling professionals depend on Furnished Finder for monthly furnished rentals. Furnished Finder also provides travelers with steep negotiated discounts on Hotel Stays of any length. Furnished Finder also owns KeyCheck, a site that provides tools for landlords, including online rent payment, free tenant screening, and custom residential leases. For more information, visit www.furnishedfinder.com.   

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Furnished Finder

November 26, 2021

6179 Views

Navigating Lease Signing: Backing Out, Eviction, and Post-Signing Occupancy

Posted on November 26, 2021December 19, 2023 by Furnished Finder

Leases just protect the landlord, right?

This is an important topic to tackle head-on as there may be a stigma associated with signing a lease. Of course, a landlord is going to write up a lease that protects themselves and their property, but some tenants may not realize that there are many reasons they should want to sign a lease themselves because of the built-in state tenant protection laws.

We’ve heard of travelers sending a deposit to secure a property without a signed lease in place. In this situation, you are really rolling the dice because without a written document outlining all the details; you are subject to a he-said/she-said situation which leaves you venerable. And really, why leave these things up to chance?

The most obvious reason to have a lease in place is to simply define the lease’s terms. It sets the tone for what is expected and lays out the parameters for both parties. While tenant/landlord laws are different in every state, a lease will define the standards and requirements which are designed to protect each party.

Get more information in the Free Essential Travel Nurse E-Book.

Now, we’ve all signed stuff we couldn’t possibly read entirely… like when you purchase a car or get a mortgage, but a residential lease is NOT one of those documents. First of all, we encourage every traveler to request a lease before any money is exchanged. This should be a hard & fast rule. Secondly, taking the time to read it carefully is the best possible thing you can do at this point. Leases can be explained and even changed, so if you see something you are uncomfortable with, or maybe you just need some extra clarity around a specific term, speak up right away. Once you sign your lease, all negotiations end.

Here are some of the most important terms in a lease:

Lease Term

As a traveling professional, you may want to search for a month-to-month lease rather than a 3-month minimum lease. It all depends on what is available in the area at that time, but if you have the luxury of choosing between the two, the M2M lease will give you much greater flexibility.

Notice to Vacate

This is important to pay attention to because what good is an M2M lease if they require 60 days’ notice to vacate? That is an example, of course, but you get the idea. Travelers need flexibility as much as possible, so a 30-day notice to vacate is standard. That said, however, travel nurses don’t always get the luxury of knowing 30 days out if they’ll renew or go to work somewhere else, so you should have a conversation with the landlord before you sign the lease, so they understand your situation. The landlord has to protect themselves, of course, but they also need to appease their tenant, so this is a conversation worth having before a lease is signed and may result in favorable terms.

Early-Out

Every travel nurse needs to know what will happen if your contract is suddenly canceled and you need to leave unexpectedly. The lease will often explain the worst-case scenario of what you would be responsible for should you leave before the end of your lease, but this should absolutely be a conversation you have with your landlord prior to signing the lease. Some landlords offer more flexible lease terms for travel nurses, so always talk to the landlord beforehand about this specific scenario.

Costs

Next, a lease will define the price you’ll pay and what is expected from you at move-in/move-out. Security deposits are also a very important piece of the puzzle that should be clearly defined, so there is no confusion at move-out. The keyword to look for is “refundable” to make sure you can recoup your security deposit, assuming there was no damage to the property. A cleaning fee is usually a separate charge and is not refundable.

The lease will also tell you how much the monthly rent is when the rent is due and what happens if it is received late. Try to set up an auto-payment at the same time each month so you can essentially eliminate the chance of incurring any late fees.

Pro Tip: There are many ways to pay your rent, but try to pay rent with a credit card when possible. When you pay rent with a credit card, you have built-in consumer rights that you won’t have with a check or other type of payment. It can also be a great way to earn reward points and to even build your credit over time. The trick is, of course, to always pay off the credit card immediately, so you’re not carrying any of that balance.

Utilities should be included in a furnished rental which should always be specified in a lease. More importantly, it should also identify any utilities that are not covered or capped (meaning sometimes landlords say they will pay up to $x per month for heating or electricity and anything over you are expected to pay). Sometimes apartment complexes will offer you a short-term lease. However, the furniture and utilities are not included, so make sure you know what is included in the rent.

Pets

Make sure you know their pet policy, including non-refundable pet fees, which may limit the number and type of animals you can bring (i.e., two dogs maximum. 45lb max, no restricted breeds). Expect to pay a little bit more if you’re going to travel with your best friend. Also, you absolutely must disclose that you are bringing a pet if that is your intention. Even if it is a registered service animal, just showing up with your dog is unfair to the landlord and will most likely be a breach of contract.

Extras

Nobody wants to be inconvenienced, and most of us don’t like surprises when it comes to our living situation, so make sure you know what is included in the property. What is the parking situation? Many places have ample street or driveway parking, but parking comes at a premium in busier cities, so be sure you know the parking situation/limitations. Likewise, what is the laundry situation? You’ll want to know if there is a washer/dryer in the unit, in the complex, or a couple of blocks away. Also, some landlords may impose limits on who can live at that property, so if you’re traveling with a friend or spouse in tow, be sure that the landlord is aware.

Leases Protect Tenant Too!

Again, a tenant should never send any money without a signed lease in place. Because every lease is different, tenants need to be very intentional and specific about understanding what is in the agreement they are about to sign. Once you sign, you accept everything just the way it is written, so if one of the terms is confusing or too prohibitive, make sure you speak up immediately. If you can negotiate better terms for yourself (ex. asking for a discount on rent, lower security deposit, or a shorter notice to vacate), now is the time to do that.

Are you looking for housing for your next assignment? Click here to search our housing page in partnership with Furnished Finder.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Furnished Finder

October 19, 2021

3945 Views

How to Navigate Housing in High-Cost Cities

Posted on October 19, 2021October 15, 2021 by Furnished Finder

High-cost cities can sometimes make it difficult to have a successful and fun assignment, so allow me to make suggestions that may help during your next adventure. Let me just start out by saying there is no Easy-Button here as we are all subject to the market. What I mean is that demand for housing is so high in these cities that it drives up the cost of rent for everyone. And while you can’t change the housing market, you can adjust the way that you do things, so they work in your favor. Be sure to read to the end to get discounts on hotels as well.

The first thing you should know is that you are competing against a lot of other people when you’re looking to secure a monthly furnished rental. People across the globe are suddenly able to live and work anywhere, so we are seeing more relocating families and remote workers than ever before. Secondly, don’t expect preferential treatment because you are a healthcare worker. Property managers don’t necessarily care what you do for a living – their job is to just make sure you are the best tenant for the property.

Since the focus of this article is the cost of living in cities like LA, San Francisco, New York, Boston, San Diego, and Chicago, here are 5 things you can do to help you navigate the costs of these high-cost cities:

1. Don’t Pay Booking Fees

Booking fees are a percentage of rent which is added to the total cost of your stay. Booking fees are annoying and expensive…especially if you are required to pay them every month! Booking fees are synonymous with vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO and can add up to 15-18% to the total cost. Still, if you can use platforms like Furnished Finder, you book directly with the landlord and can literally save hundreds every month.

2. Consider Shared Spaces

Rooms are probably the easiest way to guarantee that you’ll pay the least amount of rent living in a high-cost city. Of course, that means that you may need to make a lifestyle compromise since you’ll be sharing the unit with someone else, but the savings of a room over a private unit can sometimes cut your costs in half. Many travel nurses prefer sharing space because it provides them companionship and conversation on their off days. While there are a lot of variables to consider when renting a room vs. a private unit, the cost savings alone are undisputable. Here is where you can search for rooms.

3. Know Before You Go

Make sure you really want to go there before you accept your assignment. That may sound pretty obvious, but there are travelers who don’t do their research before signing a contract and are absolutely shocked once they start looking for housing. There is definitely a trade-off when you decide to work in a high-cost city because you’ll be spending more of your stipend money on housing. The main thing is to educate yourself on the housing costs of an area when you are shopping for jobs, so there are no surprises.

4. Parking…Ugh

Yep. It’s common for properties in high-cost cities to charge extra for parking, making your cost of living even higher. Consider whether you need your car at all during your next assignment. It if will cost you a couple hundred dollars extra a month to bring your car, maybe leave it at home and save the money. Many of these cities have excellent public transportation, and services like cabs and Ubers can help as well.

5. Hotels

If you’ve been doing this long enough, you’ve probably parked it in hotels a few times here or there. It could be for a few nights until your place is ready, a few weeks to scout out an area, or sometimes even for the entire assignment. Since hotels are getting aggressive about marketing to healthcare workers for any length of stay (even for personal stays), more than 35 hotel brands have partnered with Furnished Finder to offer travelers discounts across the nation. Get up to 25% off (depending on the brand and your length of stay) when you book via Furnished Finder.

Every assignment varies, and housing is, of course, that big X-factor that can make or break an assignment…especially in high-cost cities. Start your housing search early… even before you accept an assignment! Don’t get caught off guard by housing costs. Good luck, and safe travels ahead!

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Need to secure housing for your next assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

By Furnished Finder

August 24, 2021

5602 Views

Ways to Get Creative When Looking for Travel Nurse Housing

Posted on August 24, 2021August 23, 2021 by Furnished Finder

Right now, rates for travel nursing are at an all-time high. However, the cost of real estate has also swelled over the course of the pandemic, and more nurses than ever are leaving permanent jobs to chase crisis rates. All of these factors combined have led to increased costs for short-term renters and may make finding travel nurse housing that much more stressful.

Keep in mind that this is why Furnished Finder is a great resource right now–since you don’t have to pay things like booking or cleaning fees through the site, you will automatically save a chunk of money by using them to find housing. In addition to using Furnished Finder, here are a few other ways you can find housing that fits your budget during this hectic time in healthcare.

Creative Housing Tips for Travel Nursing

Option One: Consider a roommate.

If you are a stickler about your housing budget and are struggling to find the right fit in a private space, look into rooming-in at someone’s house or find another travel nurse who will be living in the same area who is willing to split a place. One huge positive of the influx of traveling healthcare professionals is that you will almost always be able to find a handful of people starting at the same facility in the same timeframe. Be sure to reach out to travel nurse housing groups to try and connect with other travelers who might be willing to share a space with you!

Option Two: Look into hotels.

Did you know Furnished Finder actually has a whole page dedicated to hotels that cater to long-term occupants? These types of hotels are often overlooked by travel nurses because they assume the cost will be too high, but you might be surprised by how affordable they can be.

Don’t forget to ask about how taxes work in your assignment’s area as well, because you may be entitled to a refund on taxes after a stay of at least 30 days. This, combined with the fact that you get cleaning services, linens, and items like toilet paper provided, can really make a hotel stay make sense.

Option Three: Splurge a little.

While you may not want to spend more money on housing just because you are offered a crisis rate, keep in mind that those rates are high for a reason. Not only is the hospital desperate for help, but they know resources in the area are stretched thin across the board.

Look at it this way: you are likely going to work the hardest you ever have in some of these hard-hit areas. You will also be making 3-4 times more than your typical travel rates and most likely coming off far ahead of any normal assignment. Consider taking a little stress off your plate and opting for one of the nicer or larger homes over on the Furnished Finder housing database, and giving yourself a nice relaxing place to come home to after working your hardest.

It can seem like an overwhelming time to be in healthcare, but remember that these rent prices (and these rates!) won’t last forever. Eventually, the crisis rates will die back down, more nurses will go back to permanent jobs, and the availability of short-term rentals will go back to normal. Until then, take a deep breath, make sure you are choosing a safe, clean place to stay, and don’t forget to remind yourself how awesome it is to have a lifestyle that can adjust with whatever craziness is going on in the world.

We hope you found these creative housing tips helpful. Do you have any creative housing tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Need to secure housing for your assignment? Click here to view our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Furnished Finder

August 8, 2021

7878 Views

It’s Time to Research Housing: Where do I Start?

Posted on August 8, 2021August 8, 2021 by Furnished Finder

(Including a list of the best housing resources for travel nurses)

Working as a travel nurse can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but it does come with a certain amount of stress. Moving to a new city and starting a new position can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. One of the best ways to reduce stress and set yourself up for success is by finding the right housing that fits all your needs and supports your lifestyle.

Follow these tips to find the best housing options for your next travel nurse assignment.

Make a List of Your Priorities

The first step is making sure that you get everything you want in a housing situation is to make a list of your priorities. What factors do you need to take into consideration when choosing? While you will need to consider practical factors like cost, location, transportation, don’t forget about the things that are currently a part of your daily routine as well. Here are some things to think about if you’re a stipend travel nurse looking for housing:

Do you need a private unit, or are you willing to save money by renting a shared space?
Will you be bringing a pet, or can you travel without your furry friend?
Do you have to be in the city, or are you ok with commuting in?
Are you taking a car? If so, what is the parking situation like?
Do you need to be near a gym so that you can continue your workouts?
Are you a day or night-sleeper?
What are your regular hobbies and what do you need to continue to enjoy these?
Do you cook most of your meals after you get home or do weekly food prep?
How often can you afford to eat out?

Also, take a moment to reflect on what you are most looking forward to when it comes to your next travel experience. Foodies use the opportunity to try new cuisine and visit local restaurants. Others are planning on doing some sightseeing or meeting new people. These goals can be taken into account when considering different housing locations.

Once you create a list, go back and decide which of these factors are essential and which you are willing to make adjustments for. It is important to establish your ”must-haves” so that you are setting yourself up for a happy living situation. Creating a list will help you identify and articulate your needs so that you can begin narrowing down your choices and eliminating any properties that won’t support your lifestyle and your travel goals.

Consider Practical Factors

Once you have figured out what you want from your housing, you can begin to make a list of practical considerations that will also factor into your decision.

Will my stipend cover the cost of rent? In some cases, you may actually be able to make money by choosing a more affordable housing option. That money can go towards enjoying restaurants and activities in your new city, or it can go toward your mortgage back home.

What is the cancellation policy? Hospitals can certainly cancel a contract mid-term which can be problematic if you have already put down a deposit on housing. That is why it is always a good idea to partner with landlords who are used to renting to travel nurses. Typically, they offer more attractive terms that limit your exposure should your assignment get canceled early such as lower deposits and monthly leases.
How far are you willing to commute to your assignment? How close do you need to be to the grocery store and other essential destinations? Of course, travelers want to be close to their assignment, especially those that are on-call, but it’s important to find a location that gives you rent that you can afford, that is also within an acceptable radius of the places you’ll be going.
Are utilities, cable and internet included in the rental amount? Before you sign any agreements, make sure that you are clear about any additional costs.

Where Most Travelers Start

Whether you’re comparing jobs side by side and need to know which assignment has more affordable housing options, or you’ve already signed your contract and know where you’re going, Furnished Finder is where most travelers and staffing companies seem to start. They have over 30,000 listings from hosts all over the nation who are looking for travel nurse tenants. It’s actually pretty unique to find a housing platform without the booking fees like vacation rental sites and mark-ups like corporate housing. You can view all of the Furnished Finder properties on their site, or right on The Gypsy Nurse housing resource page.

Stipend Calculator

If you’re researching jobs in different cities and looking to see where your stipend will stretch the furthest, you can use the new Travel Nurse Stipend Calculator tool. There you’ll be able to get average housing costs, find out the top nursing specialties and staffing agencies, and compare key metrics to see which area may be the best for you.

Contribute

One of the best things about being part of a community is that you can receive and share helpful information with one another. Chances are that you’ve already worked in a city or assignment where another traveler is currently considering, so why not help out the next nurse and share your experience? Here, you can rate your previous facility, and give your fellow travelers tips about the best neighborhoods, areas to avoid, favorite restaurants, traffic patterns, and other best practices that you’ve learned while on assignment in a city. To become a contributor and help a fellow traveler, you can do that here.

More Resources

Both Furnished Finder and The Gypsy Nurse have Facebook groups dedicated to housing as well. There you can connect with your peers, ask questions, and learn about their experiences. Don’t underestimate groups like these as they can be excellent resources…just realize that with over 120,000 members combined, you may have to sift through a few rants to get to the content that you’re interested in. You can also use the search filter to search by topics, hospitals, staffing companies and cities that interest you.

Recommended Facebook Groups:

Travel Nurse Housing – Furnished Finder

Travel Nurse Housing – The Gypsy Nurse

If you want to dig into housing even more, you can visit these popular blogs and resource pages.

Search for Housing:

Submit a Housing Request:

https://www.furnishedfinder.com/housing-request

Stipend Calculator:

https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Travel-Nurse-Stipend-calculator

Blog Pages:

Avoiding Scams:

Landlord Verification Report:

https://www.furnishedfinder.com/travelers

Housing plays an important role in your travel nurse housing experience where the right living situation will allow you to maintain a work/life balance that helps you thrive. Hopefully, these tips and tools will help to ensure your housing supports your lifestyle wherever you go.

Furnished Finder is the largest online housing marketplace for travel nurses who take temporary positions across the US. With over 30,000 monthly furnished rental properties to choose from, they continue to expand their inventory and make housing easier and more affordable for traveling healthcare professionals nationwide.

*If you’re a landlord looking to offer housing on Furnished Finder and The Gypsy Nurse, go here.

Determine if the Home Is Suitable

Decisions to Make

Setting the Rules

Preparing the Property

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts

What Questions to Ask the Facility During a Phone Interview

How to Make Your Travel Nursing Application Stand Out

The Voice of The Travel Nurse

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Short-term rental must-haves

Close proximity to the hospital, restaurants, and grocery stores

Washer, dryer, and other appliances

Home office

Pet-friendly accommodations

Parking

Short-term rentals for nurses are becoming increasingly common.

Related Posts

Take the Plunge and Go For It

Finding Success as a Travel Nurse and Beyond

7 Signs You Would Be Perfect For a Travel Nursing Career

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Know the Risks

Check Move Out Requirements

Ask About Going Month to Month

Have Some Money Saved

Plan for a Little Overlap

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts

Step #10 Prepare For the Interview

How To Turn A Home Into a Rental for Travel Nurses or Others

How Networking Can Help Nurses on Travel Assignments

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Lighting

Organization

Color

Secret Renovations

Clean

Make it You

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts

5 Ways to Become a Travel Nursing Pro

10 Best Places to Live

How to Become a Travel Nurse Influencer on Social Media

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

What a delight

Teacher turned landlord

I get to meet interesting people

The best top-notch guests

I fell in love with a travel nurse

I too am a travel nurse

I get to meet dedicated nurses

My best friend is a travel nurse

Very little housing in my area

Absolutely fantastic tenants

Amazing travel nurses at my home!

Heaven sent

I was a Travel Nurse.

All have been awesome

I decided I needed a roomate

The smartest thing I can do

Great place to find potential renters

It is a win-win

I felt compelled

About Furnished Finder

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts

I Use an RV for Travel Nursing– Can I Deduct The Expenses?

About Furnished Finder 