Searching for a furnished apartment in another city or state comes with its fair share of challenges. Without being there to survey the property in person, the risk of getting caught in an online scam is far greater. Beyond just scams, you have to worry about false advertisements or accidentally renting out a space for temporary housing that doesn't meet all your needs.

Fortunately, you can take steps to ensure that you choose the right month to month rental from a reliable host. Whether you're a traveling professional or student, someone looking for a change of scenery and vacation rentals, or even someone who needs temporary relocation while they wait for their house to get ready for move-in,, let's take a look at a few helpful tips for long-distance furnished apartment hunting.

Consider the factors that will be crucial in your apartment search.

To find the perfect short stay apartment, you have to define what qualities you're looking for in your next monthly rental apartment. Some of the major factors that will play a critical role in your choice include:

Your Budget: Arguably, the most important thing to focus on is how much money you're willing to spend on your next apartment. Most major cities have a higher cost of living, which means that looking for ways to save on rent will be important as you look through available listings. For example, you could decrease the price you pay by looking for furnished apartments that offer all the amenities you need and include utilities in your short term lease. The more you save, the more money you'll have to manage your other expenses as you work your new job, study, or enjoy what the surrounding city has to offer.
Your Needs: Moving across the country can be a difficult trek if you're trying to bring along your belongings with you. Think to yourself, what do I truly need? If you can find an apartment that offers you the essentials like a washer and dryer, bed (as well as linens and pillows), cookware, and additional furnishings, you'll have far less to worry about once you travel to your new place. It would help if you also thought about what you may want beyond the necessities. For example, would you like a place with a pool or a spa? Would you like a place with a fitness center that you could take advantage of? Consider all of your needs and your wants so you can find a furnished rental that meets your expectations before you sign the short term lease for the apartment or home.
The Surrounding Area: Seeking out temporary housing or corporate housing isn't just about the property itself. Location matters a great deal when looking for your next living situation. Is your apartment close to work for seamless business travel? Is it located conveniently next to shopping centers that you'll need to travel to? Does it have plenty of parks or local schools with a high GreatSchools rating if you have children? Take some time to learn a little bit about the area where your ideal property is situated. Whether you're moving to New York or California, you're sure to find an apartment that meets your needs.
The Population: The people that populate your immediate environment is something you should focus on as well. Are you looking for a quiet condo area with an older population where you can stay focused and get work done? Perhaps, on the other hand, you're looking for a place with traditional hotels nearby that offer a better nightlife and entertainment scene. Think about what you want your environment to offer you and whether or not the people near you will help you achieve that.

Put simply; your next short term apartment shouldn't just be a place to live. It should be a place where you can thrive.

Only use reliable platforms with a track record of providing high-quality short stay rental accommodations.

Gone are the days where you have to jump on Craigslist to find an apartment. Rather than looking through online listings, find a platform with a reputation for vetting their hosts and offering high-quality accommodations that are authentic. Too often, individuals who are looking for apartments across the country may be lured in by ads with high-quality pictures, stolen from real listings. Too many scammers take advantage of such tactics to defraud unsuspecting tenants and HouseStay solves this problem by verifying the identities of the hosts.

Tenants on platforms that haven’t verified homes may pay a security deposit and rent ahead of time, only to find that the property is not truly for rent, having to rent a hotel room until one can figure out next steps. If you use a platform where scams are impossible to create due to the extensive vetting process, you ensure that the property you look into and pay for is one that you can actually rent. Always research every listing platform you decide to sign up with, from anonymous reviews to seemingly inconsequential aspects like privacy policy and use of cookies.

Do your due diligence to ensure that the short stay apartment you choose is up to your standards.

In the digital age, it's easier than ever to get a tour of the place that you like without having to physically visit it. Taking a 3D home tour allows you to see all the amenities for yourself and get a feel for what it would be like to live in the apartment. Although it's not quite like a traditional walkthrough, it allows you to double-check the floor plan and the listing highlights so that you know everything is as it's advertised. You can never be too careful when you're looking for an apartment you will be occupying for an extended stay.

Find your next furnished apartment across the country with HouseStay!

Are you ready to find your new place? If so, you can get started with HouseStay. HouseStay is a platform that allows anyone to find fully furnished homes and apartments for short term stays starting at 30 nights and lasting as long as you need to rent. With perks like full accommodations, transparent pricing, and a fully automated rental process done using the HouseStay platform. It has never been easier to find high-quality rentals from anywhere in the world. Create an account to find your next furnished rental apartment today.