So it seems you’ve found yourself in-between homes or in town for an extended stay or in a new area where you’re hesitant to make a huge housing decision without doing your research and want to know what options you may have for short term housing in San Antonio. Well, my friend, you’ve come to the right place.
With the current rental market in San Antonio exploding, homeowners often feel as if they are in the position of power. This means that they’re looking for higher rents, less concessions to tenants, and the dreaded longer term lease. In addition to that, San Antonio is a military hub, with a huge portion of the city’s tenants here on two year assignments. This means that landlords are accustomed to the longer term leases (12+ months). But that’s not to say that you’re out of luck by any means. Here are a few options to consider:
- Extended-Stay Hotels. Many hotel chains have created a new business model designed for business or family travelers staying in one place for weeks or months at a time. Many times these setups are pet friendly, offer complimentary dinner and snacks, contain in-suite kitchenettes, can lower your rate with longer stays, don’t have to charge hotel tax, and even offer true one and two bedroom layouts.
- Corporate housing. Check with your employer, or your spouse’s employer to see if they own executive property in San Antonio. Many times large companies will buy homes or condos and furnish them as an investment or perk to its employees who travel. It’s worth checking into, especially if you’re wanting something already furnished and ready to go with minimal hassle.
- Talk to an experienced rental agent.
- Many agents know which apartments are willing to accept short term leases. There are high quality apartments out there that will accept leases as short as one month, although most hover in the three to six month range. You’ll pay a higher monthly rate, but it may be worth it for the shorter obligation.
- Good real estate agents know the MLS inventory and they know other agents. These connections are important because good relationships get you more information on upcoming inventory, seller flexibility, and even that little extra push to convince an owner to take rental with terms that they may be hesitant to otherwise consider.
- They can help you with timing. Landlords are more open to short term leases in the slower fall and winter months than in the popular summer or spring months. A three month lease in January puts the property back on the market in the much busier March or April where an owner is less likely to have losses due to a vacancy.
- Need furniture or other amenities? No problem. There are great furniture leasing companies in San Antonio that can provide you with good quality furnishings to go along with your rental. We work a ton with CORT, but check with your agent on available discounts they may be able to secure for you as well.
image courtesy of nan palmero, a local San Antonio resident
