I received an e-mail from someone today requesting that I put a section on the site for Furnished Suites and Extended Stay.   I already have a section for Corporate Housing on the site, and I thought that Extended stay fell under the same umbrella as corporate housing.  I did a little searching, and most other companies use “Extended Stay” and “Furnished Executive Suites” in their description of their corporate housing services.

To me, all of those phrases are geared toward the businessperson who has to visit another city for more than a few days for business or company purposes, and needs more amenities than a hotel would provide.  Most of these “Extended Stay” or Corporate Housing properties offer business centers, nicer or luxury appointments, and even valet parking and concierge services.

The person who e-mailed me asked if I would add Ottawa to that section, so today I am releasing a new page on the site for “Ottawa Corporate Housing.”  You can click here to view it.

I was reading today in the Edmonton Sun that the vacancy rate is forecasted to fall below the current 1% level in 2008.  It isn’t uncommon for people to look for upwards of 6 months to find a place to live.  Naturally, this has driven rents up, forcing many people to work 2 or 3 jobs just to afford housing.

Renters are in the best shape if they go into the market sans kids or pets. Property managers and landlords can be choosy, and unfortunately that can lead to some discrimination.  Few places in Edmonton accept pets.

What’s the cause?  “A limited supply of new rental buildings is keeping the market tight, according to the CMHC’s outlook for Edmonton, released this week. Apartments being converted into condos is further keeping a stranglehold on renters.”

So how do you find a place in Edmonton? Unfortunately, there is no magic solution, and you may have to wait several months to secure housing.  However, one of the biggest keys to minimizing the wait is being persistent.  New homes and apartments do come up (at least on our site) daily, so try to be the first to call, and sell yourself well.  Good references are what a landlord really wants, and knowing that you will be a solid renter.

Figuring out what you are willing to compromise on will also broaden your opportunities.  You may have your heart set on living downtown, but in this tight market, would you be willing to commute 10 minutes? 15 minutes?

Another hard decision may be about your pet.   Can you possibly “board” your pet with a family member for a year?   Looking for a place is always easier when you already have one, so living without your pet for a year or 6 months to secure a living arrangement might give you the time you need to look for a better place without feeling as pressured.

Don’t give up, and check all listing sites frequently.   Although it may look a bit grim, new rentals become available every day.