Short-term leasing/renting (Dallas, Carrollton, Victoria: extended stay, real estate, apartment complexes)

[YellowEnglishRose]

My husband (British) and I (Texan) live in England but we'd like to spend the winters in the Dallas area to be closer to my children and their families. One lives in Flower Mound, the other in Carrollton, but we've had a real problem finding any short-term (3 months) leases in those areas.

We thought about buying, but it would be vacant for about 9 months, plus there's the issue of paying for home insurance, utilities, etc. so have ruled that out. I also contacted one real estate agent who was actually quite rude and said he would not handle any cash buyers as he and the government would suspect we were laundering money! Whew... I'm just a grandma who wants to spend time with her grandchildren and escape the British winters!

Any suggestions please? Thanks.

[jennifw]

I think you will have a hard time finding a short-term rental. The market is very tight here with rental properties going very quickly. Could you do an extended-stay type hotel while you are here? Good luck.

[WorldKlas]

Why not corporate housing or extended stay hotels? I do think, also, several apartment complexes would do 3-month leases and have arrangements with CORT or other furniture rental places.

[WorldKlas]

Where in England? Maybe we could do a swap! I have a house here!

[ChristieP]

I agree that an extended-stay hotel would be ideal. The Candlewood and Homewood Suites and Residence Inns are the nicest of these chains.

[YellowEnglishRose]

Thanks for the suggestions. We've stayed in the Homewood Suites and another (can't remember the name) before, but if we do it for three months, that's too expensive. It runs about £99 per night (I just checked Homewood Suites online and put in our 90 days), so for 90 days, that's steep. We'd be willing to house sit, even with pets, if we could find something. Anyone know of any homesitting agencies?

WorldKlas, we live in northeast Kent in a small seaside town called Whitstable. It's about an hour's (or more, if the usual traffic messes are happening) drive into London, but a direct train journey (also about an hour) into Victoria Station. It's not the most convenient location for touring England, unless you want to visit France. We're only 26 miles shore to shore, and an easy day trip by ferry or the channel tunnel.

[ChristieP]

You might look at VRBO, or possibly doing a house swap like WorldKlas said.

I know $99 a night gets too expensive. The less luxurious extended stay chains (Value Place, Budget Suites, In Town Suites, and Extended Stay America) are les expensive, and they do fairly cheap monthly/weekly rates.

The problem with renting a normal apartment or house is they are normally unfurnished.

[seat21d]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

I know $99 a night gets too expensive.

If you think $99 can get expensive, do the math on £99!

[aladin007]

Checkout
Corporatehousingbyowner.com
I rented one short term furnished with nabro holdings through this site.
Good luck

[YellowEnglishRose]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll follow them up.