Corporate housing can be a highly lucrative investment, offering stable, long-term bookings from business travelers, remote workers, and relocating professionals. However, many corporate housing rentals fail to gain traction, leaving owners with vacant units and lost revenue. If your corporate rental isn’t performing well, here are three key reasons why—and how to fix them.

1. Poor Location Selection

Just like in the vacation rental market, location is everything for corporate housing. However, the needs of business travelers are different from those of vacationers.

Common Location Mistakes:

Too Far from Business Hubs: Corporate travelers prioritize convenience. If your rental isn’t near major office parks, hospitals, or financial districts, it may struggle to attract bookings.

Limited Access to Public Transport: Many corporate clients rely on public transportation or ride-shares. If your unit isn’t near transit options, it could be a dealbreaker.

Lack of Nearby Amenities: Professionals staying for weeks or months need easy access to grocery stores, fitness centers, and dining options. A remote or inconvenient location can hurt occupancy rates.

Solution: If your current property isn’t in a prime business location, consider targeting a niche audience—such as traveling nurses (if near hospitals) or production crews (if near film studios). If you’re looking to invest, research areas with strong corporate housing demand before buying.

2. Pricing That Doesn’t Match Market Demand

Unlike vacation rentals, corporate housing operates on extended stays, often 30+ days. This means your pricing structure needs to align with corporate budgets and market rates.

Common Pricing Mistakes:

Too Cheap: Pricing too low can attract the wrong tenants who don’t value or respect the property, leading to higher maintenance costs.

Too Expensive: If your unit is priced significantly above comparable corporate housing in the area, companies will opt for more budget-friendly options.

No Tiered Pricing: Many owners fail to offer discounted rates for longer stays, which can make your rental less appealing to corporate clients.

Solution: Use corporate housing pricing tools or research competitors on platforms like Furnished Finder and Blueground. Offer tiered discounts for stays of 1–3 months, 3–6 months, and beyond. Companies often prefer to lock in extended contracts when pricing is competitive.

3. Lack of Business Partnerships & Corporate Outreach

Unlike vacation rentals, corporate housing doesn’t rely on tourist traffic—you need direct relationships with businesses, HR departments, and relocation agencies. Many rentals fail because owners passively list their property without actively marketing to corporate clients.

Missed Marketing Opportunities:

No Direct Corporate Outreach: Relying only on Airbnb or VRBO means missing out on corporate relocation programs and business contracts.

Lack of Partnerships with Local Businesses: Nearby companies, hospitals, and universities often need corporate housing for employees. If they don’t know your rental exists, they won’t refer people to you.

Failure to Target Remote Workers: With the rise of remote work, long-term stays from digital nomads and consultants are a growing market. If your unit lacks high-speed internet, a functional workspace, or proper marketing to this audience, you’re missing out.

Solution: Partner with HR & Relocation Firms: Reach out to corporate HR departments, hospital admin offices, and universities offering corporate relocation services.

List on Corporate Housing Sites: In addition to Airbnb, list your property on platforms like Furnished Finder, Corporate Housing by Owner, and Zeus Living.

Offer Exclusive Deals: Provide special corporate rates or extended stay packages to encourage repeat business.


Final Thoughts

Corporate housing isn’t just about having a well-furnished unit—it’s about understanding what business travelers need and actively marketing your property to corporate clients. By choosing the right location, setting competitive pricing, and building strong business relationships, you can transform your rental into a highly profitable and in-demand corporate housing option.

If your unit isn’t performing well, start by evaluating these areas and adjusting your strategy. Success in corporate housing comes down to proactive marketing and meeting the needs of long-term business guests.

Ready to Take Your Corporate Housing Business to the Next Level?

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Don’t let poor location choices, bad pricing, or missed partnerships hold you back—learn how to build a successful, high-earning rental business today!

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