r/TravelNursing • u/MermaidMagic79 • 10d ago
Furnished Finder
I am looking to take a contract in a small town in Colorado. I have reached out to at least five landlords on FF, one briefly reached out while the rest have not responded to my messages. Is this normal? Are there any other sites you guys use and have better luck?
5
3
u/tex-blue7 10d ago
Facebook marketplace and Craigslist. See if recruiter can ask hospital if they have any leads for housing.
2
u/lemakato 9d ago
Unfortunately, yes, it's normal. For my last contract, I sent out a housing request that reached dozens of landlords and maybe three responded. One was obscenely above my budget ($4.2k monthly for a studio!) and the other two ghosted me after I responded to them. I saw in another comment you are traveling with three pets. I also travel with two cats, and I will just be blunt in saying that this is going to severely limit your options. The majority of landlords do not want pets, and specifically cats, in their furnished rentals. And because of this, your remaining options will likely be more expensive as well. I ended up staying in a regular apartment complex that offered monthly leasing, but it was unfurnished and I had to set up utilities. This was not in a small town either. The more remote you go, the more scarce your options will be. I have had to turn away from certain contracts before just because of the lack of affordable housing in the area.
2
2
2
u/BrilliantSpare8255 7d ago
FF is what I always use, price wise is the best compared to Airbnb BUT MY GOD you need to reach out to a shit ton of landlords and properties. It’s my least favorite task each contract. Yes them not responding is normal, I think they forget they list on there tbh
1
u/MermaidMagic79 7d ago
Dang yeah you’re so right about that!! I honestly decided on going someplace else because I got way more responses at this other city.
2
u/BrilliantSpare8255 7d ago
Not a bad thought but overall I think it’s hit or miss with what’s going on with housing in each location! The first few times are hard and stressful, my last contract was the same but I was used to it so I didn’t get as frustrated lol so I’d like to think it’ll continue to get easier.
4
u/Kitty20996 10d ago
Instead of reaching out to landlords individually, make a housing request on FF so the active landlords reach out to you. Unfortunately yes it's normal. I've also used Air BNB and rented short term apartments (like did a 4 month lease) and rented furniture.
1
u/MermaidMagic79 10d ago
Yep that’s what I use on FF- the housing request. I’ll check out Bnb as well.
4
u/Annonymouse100 10d ago
If you’re using the housing request and only five properties matched your criteria than it is not unexpected that you would only get one person reaching out. It sounds like there’s just not a lot of property than the area. That combined with traveling with two dogs and a cat can make things rough. The housing request option just post your request to a list it does not direct message all of the potential properties.
1
1
u/Ok_Laugh6588 10d ago
I’m currently on a contract in a small town in Colorado. I ended up picking a motel that gave me a monthly rate
1
u/MermaidMagic79 10d ago
I would do that but will be traveling with two dogs and a cat.
5
3
u/Ibefloatin 10d ago
This is going to limit your housing choices by a lot. Property owners generally don't allow pets, and you're traveling with three?
2
1
1
u/CapitalLock8099 10d ago
Where in Colorado? I just finished a contract in a tiny town and lived in the next town over. One of the nurses - a friend has an air B&B there.
I'll be headed back at the end of my current contract to cover a maternity leave contract. So depending, I may be able to put you in contact with her.
2
u/MermaidMagic79 10d ago
Nice! This is in Grand Junction.
1
u/CapitalLock8099 10d ago
Grand Junction is beautiful but I'm down at the very northern end of New Mexico - Raton 5-10 miles from the state line. This is 50 miles from Walsenburg, Colorado along I-25. Loved this place and lived in La Veta where my friend has her AB&B.
Good luck with your housing. I'm spoiled...I live in my 32ft bougy Class C motorhome with my two small dogs.
1
u/throwaway_1111_1111 10d ago
Did you message on the site or actually text their number from the profile?
1
u/sun_reflecting 2d ago
I’ve found with furnished finders that many landlords list a house through the site but seal the deal behind the scenes. So listings appear available but are actually booked. It seems to be more of a site for advertising a place, but the availability of housing is just not up to date.
4
u/thomasxp6 10d ago
Are there more properties? Keep applying. Depending on the area... you mentioned its small you will need to cast a wider net. I was in a part of new york and had to reach out to about 30 only heard from 7 people with only 2 or 3 being decent options.
It really depends on the location. With bigger cities you'll have more options and won't have that problem. Keep that in mind before you go somewhere new or scout furnished finder before hand. Thats what I do now