Articles
15 January 2021 Ten Ideas to Make Short-Term Housing More Like Home
1 January 2021 Why Traveling Nurses Love Corporate Housing
14 December 2020 Between Moving Out and Moving In?
2 December 2020 When Working At Home Isn’t Working
When Working At Home Isn’t Working
AccessCH News- 2 December 2020
A friend of ours recently asked whether there is a demand today for short-term corporate housing, with so many employees working from home. It was a good question, and it demonstrated his concern for our corporate housing business, our personal livelihood. We decided to post our answer in our Access Corporate Housing news.
We are writing this in early December of 2020, during the height of a global pandemic which has changed the working habits of thousands, and dramatically re-written the rules of how and where people work. For many home-based workers, the opportunity to work from home provided a huge sense of relief, with the knowledge they are among the fortunate ones who remain employed. Not everyone is that lucky. Whew!
Within a matter of time, though, some home-based “offices” proved to be unworkable, with preschoolers being their normal active selves, school-aged children vying for bandwidth and an adequate space to do their schooling online, and family members chided for walking through the Zoom camera at just the worst moment!
The Solution? Short-Term Corporate Housing
The solution for families is short-term housing for the employee. Executives and upper management are beginning to requisition their employers for corporate housing for one or both parents through the duration of the pandemic. Seems pricey, you say? In most cases, the cost to the employer is highly justified by the increase in productivity and professionalism for the employee. We recently got word of one executive who packs her lunch every morning at home, heads for her temporary apartment, and occasionally works into the evening and sometimes overnights there.
What About Medical Personnel?
Other workers who are using the short-term rental solution during these times are medical workers, nurses, physicians, and essential hospital staff, shielding their families by separating themselves from their homes. Above all, these professionals know the necessity of living apart. A short-term apartment with dedicated laundry facilities in the unit allows the health worker to start each day refreshed and ready to take care of their patients and do the monumental work of caring for others.
We Are Ready To Help
It’s a good thing the short-term housing market was already in place, fully functional, when the unique needs of the virtual worker arose in 2020. Those of us in this business are ready for you, ready to help you stay productive, balanced, and well. Let us know how we can serve you.
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Between Moving Out And Moving In?
AccessCH News – 14 December 2020
People who use Corporate Housing aren’t necessarily corporate employees needing short-term accommodations. Anyone in transition, such as someone who has sold their residence and is waiting to move into their new place could benefit from Corporate Housing. You might think of these transitional people as the “temporarily homeless.”
Here’s a true story. A few years ago, a couple who are now good friends of ours sold their home in another state, put all their belongings in storage, and figured they needed at least three months in their new location to find and purchase a home. They knew they needed to fully explore their new city, find and work with a realtor, settle on a new home to purchase, and close on their home purchase. This couple was unaware of the concept of Corporate Housing, which would have been the ideal furnished housing bridge between selling a home and buying a home. Instead, they entered into a three-month lease (lucky to find one!) on an unfurnished apartment. They rented furniture, bought housewares and linens, and occupied this unit while they closed on a new residence. Getting the unit ready for occupancy took them several shopping days which they had to supplement with a couple nights in a hotel. What a pain. The days when they should have been househunting were interrupted waiting for the cable guy, the furniture delivery, and shopping for basic items. They ended up disposing of all the housewares they had to buy to make their temporary apartment semi-livable. When we became friends with this couple through golf, they did the head-slap thing when they realized how much easier it would have been to use Corporate Housing instead. Easier and probably a wash in terms of cost.
Access Corporate Housing’s headquarters area was recently named as one of the top ten places to live in the entire United States. This designation, along with the increased ability for more people to work from home, explains the enormous surge of newcomers and the home construction boom here. Many of the people relocating here have already sold their home elsewhere, stored all their belongings, and are in limbo while their new home is being built. Most of the inquiries our firm is receiving are in the category of these “temporarily homeless.” These are single people, couples, and families – all needing a comfortable, livable, workable living arrangement during their transition, one that will allow their pet to be comfortable, too! They’ve discovered that Corporate Housing is the solution. And we’re here to help. And our units are pet friendly.
P.S. You know who else uses Corporate Housing? People doing major home remodeling. A home remodel is incredibly disruptive and can take months. We’ll write a post about later.
Why Traveling Nurses Love Corporate Housing
AccessCH News – 1 January 2021
Over the years, hospitals have consistently used traveling nurses (and doctors too), and now this practice is prevalent more than ever before. Traveling nurses are playing an essential role by filling the demand as hotspots pop up across the United States. An independent travel nurse marketplace showed the significant demand for ICU nurses especially. Why do these medical heroes prefer corporate housing? The most obvious is the combination of convenience and economy. But there are many other, not so obvious, reasons, that traveling nurses love Access Corporate Housing.
No long term lease
Traveling medical personnel don’t always know exactly how long their assignment will be. Sometimes it’s very short – a matter of a couple of months. Not having to sign a long term lease takes the pressure off the tenant. (Our minimum lease is 30 days.)
No broker fees
And this is important for teams of nurses who often take traveling assignments together. Based on credit and background checks, we could ask for a security deposit, refundable after stay.
Easy daily access to washer and dryer
Scrubs go right into the washing machine when returning to the apartment.
Pets are often allowed
Many locations allow pets (ours do – with a pet deposit refundable after stay) and you know there’s nothing like having your loving, furry friend great you after a long shift taking care of patients. Some corporate housing includes pet parks and pet grooming areas.
Fully equipped kitchens
Medical staff hours are 24/7. Shifts are often random. When the nurse or doctor returns to their apartment, it might be two o’clock in the morning. Try getting room service or food delivered at that time if you’re in a hotel. Kitchens in corporate housing are fully furnished. The tenant can whip up or re-heat a meal regardless of the hour of the day.
Always much more like home
No hotel room can feel like home. Sure, a suite style hotel might seem more homey, but it will never ever be furnished or equipped like a corporate housing unit. Find comfort and calm after a strenuous day.
Separate bedrooms for team members
Traveling nurses often arrive to their new assignment in teams. These friendships are forged so tightly that they only accept assignments that allow them to remain together.
10 Ideas to make your short-term stay feel more like home
AccessCH News – 15 January 2022
Whether you will be staying in a corporate apartment for one month or several months, there are many things you can do to make your surroundings seem cozy and more like home, without a lot of effort or expense. Here are some tips for you.
Before you leave home
Ask yourself, “What are a few of my favorite things?” (other than cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudel). Or ask, “What are my favorite daily rituals?” Some suggestions for you to consider:
1) Pack your favorite beverage mug
The one you use every day at home for coffee or tea (or adult beverage). Tuck it between layers in your luggage.
2) Bring your own pillow
We’re more intimate with our bed pillow than with any other object at home. Bring it along. Your pillow is the number one item to ensure you sleep well, even more important than the comfort of the bed itself. If you plan to arrive by air, check with your airline. Some airlines count a pillow as one of your carry on items. According to the TSA, a bed pillow is not a security risk.
3) Pack a couple of framed pictures
Photos of family and of fun times with friends, to be placed by your bed, your workspace or where you will sit to eat. Not all temporary housing providers allow pets (we do under most circumstances) so if you can’t bring your pet, at least bring a photo of your furry friend.
4) How about an eye mask and ear plugs
In case your new place isn’t as pitch dark or silent as home, ear plugs and an eye mask can help. And on the other side of the coin, if the sound of a train reminds you fondly of home, let your rental agent know to locate you within earshot of one. Check out this eye mask with Bluetooth capability. Fall asleep to your favorite music!
5) Say yes to the travel alarm
If you have one you normally use at home, pack it and bring it with you. Even though our units come furnished with an alarm clock in the bedrooms, you’ll feel more confident with your trusted one from home.
6) Don’t forget to pack your favorite slippers!
Once you’ve arrived
7) Unpack completely
And stow your luggage where you won’t see it every day.
8) Buy a small living plant
You don’t need to spend a lot on this; you’ll leave the plant behind for the housekeeper who might really appreciate it. Succulents are small and not expensive. When you arrive and get settled in, order one to be delivered. Or make it a plant you need to water at least every other day. This will lend a rhythm to your daily life, just like at home. Another option – buy yourself some fresh flowers every couple of weeks. Even if they’re from the supermarket – flowers and plants are therapeutic.
9) Change your default delivery address
If you are a frequent user of online shopping sites, or if you receive medical prescriptions via mail, temporarily change your default delivery address. Change it back when you get back home. Let your building’s manager know about orders arriving. It is so easy when confirming your purchase to breeze right by the delivery address. Don’t let that happen to you. Whatever you forgot to bring to your unit, you can order delivered to you.
10) Stock your refrigerator and pantry with the beverages and snacks you enjoy when home
It is likely that the same things you like to eat and drink when at home are available in your temporary location. But if not, there’s always online ordering and delivery.