In a perfect world, the real estate market, the banking system, and local government align to allow us to swap homes seamlessly. You sell your home, and you move into your new house just like that.

Anyone who ever moved – whether you rent or own – recognizes this fantasy as a work of utopian fiction. The property stars rarely align and leave the average person with two homes or none at all.

There’s a whole world of accommodation out there that you’re about to discover.

If you need somewhere to hang your hat before moving into your dream house, check out and then check into one of these temporary housing options.

1. Vacation Rentals

Do you live in a large city or another desirable area? There’s a good chance that homes in your area serve double duty as vacation rentals.

Vacation rentals like CapeTownVillas are a great port of call for anyone moving. They’re often in desirable or residential neighborhoods, and almost all are fully-furnished. You won’t need much more than your personal effects – everything else stays in storage.

2. Corporate Accommodation

You hear them in airports with their heads down talking about expense reports, airline miles, and the meeting they can’t miss. They are the business travelers, and they want you to know they visit this airport twice a week.

Just as they dominate the airports, they also have a dedicated niche of the travel industry: corporate housing. Corporate housing exists to set up those who get reassigned or relocated and need a house set up quick.

Corporate housing is a great tool for those who work near urban centers or business parks and want to feel more at home than at a hotel.

If your move relates to your job, ask your HR department about corporate housing benefits.

3. Extended Stay Hotels

Extended stay hotels don’t have an excellent reputation, but groups like Hilton and Marriott spent years trying to change that. Now, you can check-in to a hotel room that doubles as a simple apartment. You get all the benefits of a hotel – daily cleaning, loyalty programs, and wifi – with the benefits of a vacation rental.

Extended stay hotels offer a cost-effective option for stays of one week or more. Many provide discounts for regular or long-term guests. Prices tend to be similar to the average hotel room when you book a weekend.

4. Apartment Sublets

Will you be in limbo for a while? Skip the costs of vacation or business travel and look for an apartment to sublet. Subletting contracts often last for several months, which gives you ample time to move into your next place.

A sublet comes with all the things you need to pick up where you left off. It also feels ‘homely’ compared to chains or corporate accommodation. Some like feeling at home, but keep in mind that a sublet will be someone else’s home – with their baggage in the closets.

Temporary Housing Options: Move Once and Be Done

Don’t move from place to place while waiting for your new home. Choose one of these four temporary housing options and set up camp to minimize the disruptions to your life.

Move once and be done with it.

Are you buying or selling? Read our tips for finding your dream property here.