5 Housing Options After Fire or Flood
When life throws you a curveball like a house fire or flood, it doesn’t just turn your world upside down, it shakes up your entire routine. Suddenly you’re juggling insurance calls, contractors, school pick-ups, and work deadlines, all while wondering, “Where are we going to sleep tonight?”
As a mom of five, I know a thing or two about keeping chaos contained (or at least, keeping everyone fed while we figure it out). And as someone who works every day to help families find safe, comfortable housing, I want to share your options: the good, the bad, and the “absolutely not with three kids and a dog.”
1. Traditional Hotels & Extended-Stay Hotels
Hotels are easy to book, and yes, the little shampoo bottles are fun for a night or two. But after a week of takeout dinners, waiting for your turn in the bathroom and tripping over each other in one room, even the friendliest front desk clerk won’t make up for the lack of space. If you have pets, good luck finding a hotel that allows them (especially cats) or doesn’t charge ridiculous pet fees.
Hotels are great in the short term, but for families waiting months on repairs, they can feel more like survival mode in a sardine can than home.
2. Staying with Family or Friends
Family and friends are wonderful, but living with them for several months or a year can test even the closest bonds.
We’ve all been there. Someone generously offers up their guest room, and for the first few days it feels comforting. But fast forward a few weeks: your toddler’s toys have taken over their living room, you’re apologizing for every load of laundry, and everyone’s routines are clashing. And after your stressed out labradoodle chews up your bff’s new stilettos, you’ll be looking for the closest exit. Don’t risk the strain on personal relationships by wearing out your welcome.
3. Apartment Rental
At first glance the Hotel Stay’s not too distant cousin, the Apartment Rental, might seem like a viable option. But apartments and their lease terms aren’t as flexible as you’d think. Monthly pet rent, restrictive pet policies, turning on utilities, and coughing up thousands for first and last month’s rent before even moving in can be downright impossible when finances are already tight after experiencing the loss of your home. Suddenly you’re managing a whole new household while waiting to get your real one back. Furthermore, most apartments are simply glorified extended stay suites, so forget having that nice backyard for the kids and your dog. It’s a lot of hassle and money out of pocket at the worst possible time.
4. Short Term Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals can be a nice option for a weekend getaway, but when you’re displaced you’re not looking for a novelty treehouse or a trendy loft meant for someone’s bachelorette party. You need stability without your host constantly asking when you’ll be leaving because tourist season is quickly approaching. Many vacation rentals aren’t set up for 30+ day stays, and even if they are, during peak seasons your stay interferes with their business strategy since by the night pricing is often much more profitable for them. Not every vacation rental host can accommodate the need for flexibility when it comes to families dealing with displacement, nor is their operation system effectively set up for long term stays. If you found a vacation rental during “slow season” don’t be surprised if your host seems eager to get you out of there by the time “peak tourist season” rolls around.
5. Furnished Monthly Rentals (Why They’re the Best)
If a traditional unfurnished rental home and a vacation rental had a baby, it would be called a furnished monthly rental! This is the sweet spot for displaced families utilizing the Loss of Use benefit of their Homeowners Insurance policy. Furnished monthly rentals with operators like Dreamhousing Solutions are built for situations just like this. Here’s what you should expect from a furnished monthly rental:
A real home setup → full kitchen, washer and dryer, towels/linens, space to spread out and all the other comforts you’d expect in your home. When shopping monthly furnished rentals you’ll notice a wide variety of different finishings and furnishings from average to luxury. Many operators will even allow you to tour the rental in person or virtually to make sure it’s what you have in mind.
All inclusive monthly rates → Monthly rental rates often include WiFi, utilities, cleaning, lawn maintenance and sometimes even pet fee. What’s included in your monthly rate can vary depending on the company, but most operators who understand the need for simplicity with insurance housing, make this a priority.
Flexibility → Lease length can typically be easily amended to extend extra weeks or months if the contractors are behind schedule or your new kitchen appliances are on back order another month. Some operators can accommodate a move-in on the same day with little advanced notice.
Reasonable Deposits → Often with insurance stays the monthly rent is paid by your insurance, but the insured is responsible for all fees and deposits. In light of this, many (but not all) furnished monthly rental operators will offer a reduced refundable security deposit without asking for first and last month’s rent.
Pet-friendly options → Because your golden retriever deserves stability too, and who wants to board their fur-babies for months while you’re already not ok after losing your home?! Many monthly furnished rentals will allow dogs, some also allow cats and you’ll need to ask specifically if you’re bringing any exotic or non-traditional pets.
Room to breathe → a safe, cozy space that feels like home, not a stopgap. Many monthly furnished rentals have fenced yards, garages, driveways and even options for those who desire main level living.
When I started Dreamhousing Solutions, it was because I kept hearing about families and professionals trying to squeeze themselves into options that didn’t fit because someone helping them just didn’t care enough. Our goal is to curate temporary furnished housing options and terms that are simple, thoughtful, and human; a place where you can land, exhale, and know this is pretty darn close to home…or heck, maybe better!
Final Thoughts
Losing your home from a fire, water or weather disaster is hard enough. Your interim housing should not make it harder. While hotels, family couches, and vacation rentals all serve a purpose, furnished monthly rentals are the sweet spot: practical, flexible, and actually livable.
If you’re in that tough in-between place and need somewhere to call home for a while, I’d love to help. My promise is simple: a space that’s clean, cozy, and reliable so you can get back to focusing on what matters most, your family, your work, and your peace of mind.
Reach out to Dreamhousing Solutions today, and let’s find you a place that truly feels like home, even if it’s just for now.
