Imagine you're four weeks out from a travel nurse contract in a city you've never lived in, you've filtered through every site you can think of, and have cold-called property managers, but you still haven't found a place that works for your dates. Where are you supposed to look to find housing, and why does finding housing feel like a second job?
That's the kind of situation we built our newest feature, MatchMaking (opens in new tab), for. When you can't find housing, give us the details of your stay, and we'll search for places that fit your needs. So, what is a MatchMaker, and how does this work?
What is a MatchMaker?
A MatchMaker is a real person on the MatchBook team who searches for housing on your behalf. You tell us where you're headed, your dates, your budget, and anything that would make or break a place. Your MatchMaker searches MatchBook and beyond, finds listings that fit your needs, and brings those hosts and their listings onto MatchBook for you to review and book. It's free to request, and there is no obligation to take anything they find.
Who is MatchMaking for?
Requesting a MatchMaker is for renters who have looked and can't find something that fits their dates, budget, and needs. This tends to happen when your needs are specific, or your timeline is tight, or you're searching in a city you've never lived in before.
This can look like:
- a travel nurse (opens in new tab) with a contract starting in four weeks
- a military family relocating on orders (opens in new tab) to a base they've never been to
- medical residents (opens in new tab) who just matched for their residency and need to move to a new state
- or a family who needs a place to stay (opens in new tab) for a few months while their house undergoes renovations
It's also for anyone who's struggling to find a place that accepts dogs, who needs to be within a certain distance from work, or has a stay that doesn't line up with a standard lease. If you've looked, filtered, and called and still can't find a place, MatchMaking is for you.
How a MatchMaker request works
It starts with a short request form. You share where you're headed, your dates, your budget, and what matters most to you. In your request, be as specific as you can. Tell us if you need to be within a certain commute or distance to a workplace, if you need a full kitchen or are okay with lighter accommodations, what budget range you're comfortable with, and anything else that is important for your stay. The details you provide are what guide our team's search for you.
Then a MatchMaker is assigned to your search. The MatchMaker emails you within 24 hours and confirms the details of your request. Once the details are set, the search begins.
Your MatchMaker searches beyond MatchBook to find listings in the area that match your needs. They contact hosts directly about your dates and requirements, and when a host and home look like a good fit, your MatchMaker brings them onto MatchBook for you.
Finally, the MatchMaking team provides you with the options we found. You review them, apply to the ones you like (opens in new tab), and secure your booking by signing your lease and paying your security deposit.
If none of the options fit, let your MatchMaker know what didn't work and why, and they'll use that feedback to refine their search.
Why every option is brought onto MatchBook and verified
Trust is often the hardest part of renting a place you haven't seen in person, and scam listings are one of the biggest worries in midterm renting. When you have specific needs and are searching on your own, it can be tempting to sign a lease and send money when you only have one option, and you need to secure something fast.
That's the reason a MatchMaker brings every host onto MatchBook before you ever see their place. Each host and property is verified before it's provided to you, the same way any listing you can book on the platform is vetted. Lease signing and rent payments also happen on the platform, so you're never sending money to someone via third-party apps or bank transfers.
What a MatchMaker doesn't do
A MatchMaker doesn't charge you anything. Requesting one is free, and you aren't committed to anything they find. If you do book one of the places, you book it on MatchBook like any other listing.
MatchMakers also don't make decisions for you. A MatchMaker finds places and introduces you to the host's listing, but choosing a place and signing the lease are decisions that stay with you. That way, you are the one making the final call on booking a place that feels right for you.
Housing shouldn't be the make-or-break for your move
After exhausting all of their options and not knowing where else to turn, most people consider canceling their plans to take on that contract or move. Or, they settle for a hotel stay or even try hostels. If you're considering canceling or settling, let a MatchMaker help. Our team is driven to explore every possible option and to talk to hosts in the area to help you find options that work. Make a request, share what you need, and a MatchMaker takes on the legwork; while the final decision about where to rent still stays with you.
Request a MatchMaker
Renters: can't find a place that fits?
Submit a MatchMaker request (opens in new tab) and tell us what you need. It's free with no obligation, and we'll email you within 24 hours to confirm the details.
Request a MatchMaker (opens in new tab)
Hosts: heard from a MatchMaker?
Because MatchMakers search beyond MatchBook, we probably found your listing in a forum or marketplace, or connected with someone who recommends your place for a specific renter's needs. Listing on MatchBook (opens in new tab) and using our tool suite is completely free, meaning no commissions, fees, or costs to you, and no limits on how many properties you list. We have screening tools, an e-lease builder where you can upload your lease, messaging, calendar management, and scheduled rent payments built into our platform. And you can use our platform for renters on MatchBook, as well as for renters you find on your own.
Learn about hosting (opens in new tab)
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get options?
After your MatchMaker confirms the details of your request with you, the search starts right away. We try to have options ready within a week, though timing depends on the local market and how specific your needs are.
Do I need a MatchBook account to request a MatchMaker?
Not right away. You can send a request with just an email address, but you will need to sign up to apply for and book the listings the MatchMaker provides. If you sign in first, the request form automatically fills in your contact details for you and links the request to your MatchBook account.
Can I request a MatchMaker for a stay shorter than a month?
MatchMakers can only search out stays that are 30 days or longer, because that's the range MatchBook is built around. We can help you find midterm furnished and unfurnished stays for anywhere from 30 days to over a year.
What if none of the places work for me?
Tell your MatchMaker what didn't fit and why. They can use that feedback to search again and try to find options that better fit your needs. And if something else works out for you that your MatchMaker didn't find, that's totally okay, too. Just let us know!
Where do the options come from?
Some may already be listed on MatchBook. Others come from hosts your MatchMaker finds on other sites and local listing pages in the area, and those hosts and homes are brought onto MatchBook and vetted.