FORT MYERS, Fla. (JULY 30, 2008) – The United States has the highest divorce rate of any country with just under 1.5 million divorces or dissolutions of marriage per year.

This is a statistic that JoAnne Holt, PA, CPA, a forensic accountant and family law specialist, faces each day with her clients. Holt has seen what divorce, separation and domestic disputes have done to families and how a sudden need to vacate a marital residence affects all parties involved. She saw a need to offer these families an alternative and better solution and her experience led her to the creation of standbyhousing.com.

“We have had a tremendous response from families in transition, attorneys, judges and mental health professionals,” said Holt. “Now what we really need is additional inventory. There is a market for every range of financial ability.”

Standbyhousing.com is a Web site offering short-term housing options due to separation, divorce and domestic issues, in addition to those seeking relocation or corporate housing for employees. The site puts owners of available rentals together with renters nationwide.

“There are Web sites that offer corporate housing and vacation rentals, but families in transition have nowhere to turn for a website focused on meeting their unique needs,” said Holt, a Certified Family Mediator and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. “In a divorce, money is the biggest fear, both the lack of it or having to give it up. Standbyhousing.com can assist with alleviating financial concerns and give families time to reach resolution before making long-term financial commitments on new housing.”

Holt says the emotional stress of separation and divorce is compounded by financial uncertainty. When one party has to vacate a residence, it results in additional financial and emotional strain during a very difficult time. Men often resign themselves to a friend’s couch in lieu of trying to find a new home. This puts even more stress on him and often there is not a room for overnight stays with his children at a time when they need close contact the most.

The alternative is signing a long-term lease and heading to a furniture store to purchase thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.

“Women are frequently overwhelmed with the many decisions that have to be made while trying to maintain the needs of their children,” she said. “Of course, both men and women find themselves in either of the above scenarios. Standbyhousing.com offers an alternative – access to a fully furnished residence available right now on a short-term basis, or converted to long-term if necessary.”  

Owners of available rentals pay an annual fee listing starting at $170 to advertise on the site. Interested renters commit to a minimum 30-day rental (or weekly if the owner’s property restrictions allow). Once the advertising fee is paid, owners upload photos, information, availability and rental rates to the site. Renters nationwide can shop for a property that meets their needs.

Holt said for a limited time, she is offering an introductory price of 50% off the listing fee.

“With all the available rentals and empty housing, this is a win-win for owners or Realtors with available properties,” said Holt.

According to Holt, standbyhousing.com can be an income mechanism during the off-season by turning a vacation rental into a profit-making vehicle twelve months out of the year.

“The most popular times for divorces to be filed are after the school year ends, at the end of the summer, before the holidays and in January after the holidays,” she said.

Owners with seasonal rentals can list their available properties with standbyhousing.com and use the online calendar to show availability. Since the units offered are fully furnished and already include cable, water and electric (Holt recommends owners also provide wireless hi-speed internet), renters don’t have to go through the process of hooking up those amenities.

“Middle and upper class individuals also find themselves in domestic violence situations and don’t want to stay in a shelter or turn to their family or friends,” said Holt. “Standbyhousing offers them confidential temporary housing without the hassle of a long-term lease, talking to a realtor or having to set up a new residence.”

While the primary focus is assisting individuals going through a divorce, other candidates include relocating families, individuals who have just sold a home – really anyone who needs a temporary housing solution as opposed to a hotel or motel.

“I get calls from attorneys regularly who are in the middle of family mediations,” Holt said. “The other day an attorney called and asked if we had a home in Cape Coral, Florida available for immediate residency. His client needed something that day.”

For more information, call  (239) 337-1979 or visit www.standbyhousing.com

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