Finding temporary housing during your relocation can be a difficult task. Tight housing markets, whether you are moving to a big city or a smaller town, make finding interim lodging challenging. Vacancies, especially in housing markets such as San Francisco, Raleigh or New York, are few and prices are rising.

Before you investigate temporary housing options, understand your needs:

• Length of time that you will need housing (on both the departure and destination ends)
• Suitable locations (If you have school-aged children, you may need housing close to schools; if not, you may be more flexible in choosing locations.)
• Price you are willing to pay for accommodations
• Amenities you will need (furniture, kitchen items, linens, etc.)
• Whether your relocation benefits (if you are being moved by your employer) include temporary housing, and what costs are covered

Here are some tips for finding the best temporary housing in a competitive market:

• Look for new properties — they sometimes need to lease for cash flow and may be eager to work a deal with you
• Consider many suburbs and neighborhoods — by reviewing multiple options, there's a better chance of finding a property that best suits your needs at the right price
• Review various floor plans — to widen the types of properties available to you