If you own a furnished rental or are thinking about owning a furnished property, consider marketing your rental to traveling nurses. Traveling nurses (also called travel nurses) are just like regular nurses except they travel throughout the year, fulfilling contracts across the country. According to the American Nurse Association, by 2022 there will be more registered nurse positions available than any other profession. The traveling nurse industry is about a $4 billion industry and with an increased demand for nurses, you can widen your pool of potential tenants significantly.
Why Traveling Nurses Make Great Tenants
Traveling nurses typically receive 13-week contracts to stay in one place. Since traveling nurses are in one location for about three months, a homey, furnished apartment with excellent amenities could be more appealing than a hotel room or a vacation rental. Although 13-week contracts are an industry standard, some nurses have the option to renew their contracts. Depending on the agency that places the nurse, some traveling nurses will receive monthly stipends to cover housing expenses, so they are more likely to pay rent on time. Although it’s wise to always use your own screening process, nurses are extensively screened before they are hired, so they are typically trustworthy tenants.
What Traveling Nurses Want in a Rental
Typically, traveling nurses will want every room in a rental to be furnished, but there are more courses of action you can take to attract them as well. Here are a few things you can do:
- If the property is near a medical facility and/or public transportation, be sure to highlight that in your property description. You can also mention that you cater to short-term tenants.
- Highlight uncommon or luxury amenities like in-unit washers and dryers.
- Highlight if the property has a garage or designated parking since many nurses take their cars with them while traveling.
- Although many nurses receive stipends, affordability remains an important factor. Consider purchasing a rental property in rural or suburban areas where market rents might be lower.
- Consider including certain utilities like cable and Wi-Fi in the rent. Many travel nurses prefer to have everything included as opposed to setting up and closing utilities every time they move.
- Similar to regular tenants, some traveling nurses will have pets so, it might be a good option to be pet friendly.
- Invest in safety features like security cameras, security alarms, and smart locks.
- Provide extra storage space with a large dresser or wardrobe.
- Go the extra mile by providing a welcome package or essentials like towels and linens.
- Enforce quiet hours since many nurses work long night shifts.
- Consider installing blackout curtains and purchasing a quality mattress or another item to elevate comfortability.
How to Advertise to Traveling Nurses
Similar to any decision you make as a landlord, it’s important to do your research before making a decision involving your rental property. Typically, there will be high demand for travel nurses in large cities like New York City and Los Angeles, while rural and suburban areas might have lower demand, so research your area to determine the market. You can contact hospitals and clinics to determine if they use travel nurses frequently along with any agencies the facility works with so you can reach out to them for an application.
You can use Apartments.com to help market and manage your rental. If you list your property on Apartments.com, you’ll be able to receive applications, screen applications, and more. When you these excellent tools on Apartments.com, not only will you be able to rent to traveling nurses, but you’ll also have access to millions of renters across the nation.
