Blueground Sees Short-Term Rental Boost From Those Fleeing Political Turmoil

25.08.2023 - 14:44 / skift.com / Latin America / Alex Chatzieleftheriou / Matthew Parsons

Blueground is seeing its apartments being rented out as safe havens from political upheavals.

The property technology company, which offers turnkey short and long-term apartment rentals, recently expanded into Miami, shortly after opening in Austin.

And it’s increasingly becoming a “haven” for people from countries such as Brazil and Venezuela wanting to leave the political turmoil behind them. And short-term rentals are proving attractive, according to Blueground Miami’s new general manager, Agnes Pierre-Louis.

“It’s a growing market,” she said.

She added that Miami has been a haven for Latin American countries, whether that’s for companies, or families wanting more stable ground.

“A lot of them go through political cycles. You have families that come for temporary periods of time, or extended periods of time, depending on what the country is going through,” she added. “For example in the last couple of years you’ve had a huge influx from Venezuela. It’s the same for Caribbean countries, like Haiti, from where I’m from. There’s a huge migration.”

Blueground is leveraging its “try before you buy” marketing, and is offering apartments in neighborhoods like downtown Miami, Doral, Wynwood and Coral Gables It aims to attract people who want to see if a new country or city will work out for them, before investing in a house and a car, and time looking at schools.

“These are people who don’t necessarily want to permanently leave their country, they may come for six months, or eight months, or a year, but they have the intention of going back,” Pierre-Louis added. “Or they end up making the decision to stay. The flexible housing space is greatly positioned to give them that temporary stop while they make a decision.”

On the other side of the equation Miami is a prime location due to its proximity to Latin America, which is fast emerging as the most dynamic region in the global airline industry. Blueground is even acquiring Brazil’s Tabas, another proptech startup, marking its first acquisition. It led Tabas’s $14 million funding round earlier this year.

“We’ve had our sights set on Latin America for quite some time, as we see huge market potential for furnished and flexible rentals,” said Alex Chatzieleftheriou, Blueground’s CEO and co-founder.

Blueground continues to work with companies who relocate staff for projects, or are opening up offices. And that’s a key strategy in a city like Miami. “Any company that wants to do business with Latin America, or infiltrate that market, will generally set up a satellite office here,” Pierre-Louis said.

Co-working provider Industrious is also moving in, and will open office spaces at 19505 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami this fall.

But Blueground’s relationship with