Where to start with STR for traveling professional?

[Nik Moushon]

I have a duplex in for permit and will begin construction mostly likely in the spring of next year and be completed by next summer/fall so I have a little bit of time to do some proper research. I had originally looked at just LTR for both units but I am considering looking at doing semi-STR by targeting traveling professionals (still 30+ day rental but not a full year). The property is literally across the street from the main hospital in town. So it will do well as a LTR but it could do better if it was a semi-STR. The problem is I'm not sure where to start to look for info on this kind of rental. Is it that much different than the more traditional vacation STR?

I'm really just starting this process of seeing if this is something I would want to do or not. Any pointers to other resources or any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Glenna Wood]

In my mind the traveling professional work force are the best renters. They are in town not to party but work. (Yeah ok kick back on the weekends if they don't go home.) Some of my STR vacation renters seem to leave their common sense at home and do the stupidest damage. LTR renters do more wear and tear and evictions are a hassle. If they don't fit the neighborhood, you have a year's worth of complaints

Having spent 80% of my career on the road, hotels get old fast. Having a place to settle in, store my clothes, unpack once, stock the frig and cook a little is heavenly for month or longer project. 

Check in with the HR Dept or Travel Dept at the hospital and any other big employer in the area. Everybody checks Craigslist and Target your ad for traveling workers.  Check the Federal per diem rate in your area. This is a pretty good view of the nightly room rate for transient workers. Beat that rate, provide a comfortable place with some thoughtful extras for the traveling worker and you could build a winner with less risk and hassle of S/LTRs.