If you’re making the transition from renting an apartment to buying a home, it can be difficult to ensure you have a place to stay while you search.

There are a number of reasons you may need temporary housing while house-hunting. Maybe you’re moving to a new state and need temporary housing while you search in the area. Or, maybe you just don’t want to sign a year-long lease on a new apartment that you don’t plan on staying in for a full year.

Regardless of the reason, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’re going to talk about how to find temporary housing while you navigate your way toward homeownership.

Short-term rentals and sublets

One of the most convenient way to rent an apartment while you search for a home is to simply find short-term rentals.

Landlords use leases for a number of reasons. Among them is knowing that they can count on a tenant to stay long enough to be worth the hassle of going through the rental process.

However, there are some landlords who cater to people who need to rent for only a certain amount of time--namely business professionals and college students. Landlords rent to these people with short-term leases because they are certain that they will get the full lease amount in pay.

Similarly, searching for sublets is a good way to find an apartment on the short-term. Sublets are often cheaper than their normal renting price because the tenant needs to find someone soon. You’re especially likely to find a sublet if you plan on moving in May or June when college students are going home for the summer.

Another service that could be helpful is Airbnb. Many people think of Airbnb as a tool for finding a vacation home or spare room while traveling. However, there are also a number of short-term rentals on the site. You can simply enter the dates you’re planning on staying and compare results. Just be sure to read reviews of the house to be sure that you’re dealing with responsible and trustworthy property managers.

Words of caution

While short-term rentals can save you money while you search and help you avoid a lease, they do come with risks. For example, if renting off of Craigslist, never send sensitive data, payments, or bank account information before verifying that they are actually the manager of the property.

If you do decide to sublet an apartment, take photos when you move in so that tenants or landlords don’t try to hold you liable for any damage caused before or after you leave.

Finally, if you decide to go with a service like Airbnb or extended stay hotels because they appear cheaper than renting, remember that you won’t be able to store your belongings there and might have to pay for storage and a moving truck to transport your belongings. These extra fees can add up quickly over a couple months.

Once you’ve determined your options for temporary housing, hunting for your new home will become much easier.

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Like any house hunting wish list, certain items take precedence over others. A lot depends on your lifestyle, the age of your family members, and even your health. If, for example, you need to visit your doctor regularly or pick up prescriptions every other week, living a short distance from a pharmacy and medical offices will make your life a lot easier.

Since grocery shopping is something everyone does at least once a week, finding a home within ten to 15 minutes of a supermarket will save you time and gas money. Your real estate agent or listing agent should be able to give you a good rundown of nearby amenities -- but you'll be better able to evaluate those conveniences if you have a clear idea of what's important to you and your family.

• Transportation: Short commutes to work are high on most people's house-hunting "wish lists." City dwellers often need to be a short walk from bus stops, subway stations, and other modes of public transportation. Frequent travelers prefer a short drive to local airports, train stations, and major highways.
• School district: Whether your children walk to school or take a bus, proximity to schools can be a very desirable feature. That's especially true if they're running late in the morning or participating in after-school programs.
• Daycare: Working couples with babies and preschool children are often dependent on friends, relatives, or commercial daycare facilities to keep a watchful eye on their kids while they're at work. With busy schedules and hectic lifestyles, having a caregiver who's just a short distance away can make your daily routine much less stressful.
• Fitness and recreation: It's all-too-easy to ignore our need for regular exercise when the nearest public park, golf course, or tennis court is 45 minutes away. However, when your home is located just a stone's throw away from walking paths, biking trails, and fitness facilities, you'll have much more of a tendency to stay healthier and more active.
• Houses of Worship: While everyone is different when it comes to religion, proximity to the church, synagogue, or mosque of your choice can be a major convenience factor.
• Banking: Although more and more banking tasks can be done online, having access to a nearby ATM is sometimes a necessity!

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Although you may be tempted to spontaneously make an offer on a house that triggers happy memories of your childhood, it's usually best to approach house buying in a methodical, dispassionate way.

Your emotions will come into play as you visit different listings, but they should be tempered by a realistic budget, a list of personal requirements, and a sprinkling of "wish list" items -- ones that will help make your new home extra special!

A lot will depend on whether you're a first-time home buyer or a seasoned home owner. In all likelihood, the more houses you've owned, the higher your expectations will be. That's certainly not a hard-and-fast rule, but it does lend itself to reason. As is the case with most things in life, experience tends to clarify our needs, our tolerances, our quality standards, and our lifestyle preferences.

Buying a home is a huge decision for two reasons: It not only impacts our financial situation (both immediate and long term), but it effects our quality of life for the foreseeable future. So, similar to the institution of marriage, buying a house is a commitment that should not be taken lightly!

Fortunately, there are several effective ways to help ensure that the home you buy will live up to your expectations. One of the most steadfast "anchors" you can have in your search for the ideal home is a seasoned real estate agent. They have the training, knowledge, and communication skills to help you find the house, the right property, and the optimal location that will best suit your needs.

Your agent will work closely with you to create a list of house hunting requirements and preferences. Although the location, school district, and number of bedrooms will probably have a major bearing on your decision, there are literally dozens of other features and characteristics that will influence your final choice. Among those will be square footage, number of bathrooms, and the property's tax rate.

Standard checklists that include a wide range of home buyer requirements are available online and through your real estate agent. These checklists will help you rank each house you visit and objectively compare the homes you like the best. While flexibility is a necessary part of a successful house-hunting campaign, there will invariably be items you won't want to compromise on.

By deciding in advance what your new home should include, you'll create a clear vision of the type of living environment you and your family will find the most satisfying. Whether you're looking for a home with an open floor plan, a screened-in porch, one or more fireplaces, a finished basement, a two-car garage, or ample space between neighbors, getting your requirements down on paper is the first step to turning your house-buying goals into reality!

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