Landlord Diaries - The Monthly Rentals Podcast

What do you do when your 7plex turns into a total nightmare, think evictions, broken windows and a renovation budget that ballooned from $250K to over $530K?If you’re Megan Ahern, you pivot… and that pivot changed everything.In this episode of Furnished Finder’s podcast, Landlord Diaries, Megan shares how switching to monthly midterm rentals through Furnished Finder helped her take long-term rents that were around $950 per unit and push them to $1,950, more than double, while achieving less than 5% vacancy and drastically improving tenant quality.She breaks down:What Megan got right and totally wrong with monthly midterm rentalsWhy monthly mid-term tenants are lighter on your property than long-term tenantsHow she uses Furnished Finder’s Market Insights tool to evaluate new deals across the countryAnd how to avoid double bookings with one simple calendar strategyWhether you’re managing one unit or multiple, you’ll walk away with practical tips for increasing your rental income, reducing stress, and building a more sustainable investment strategy.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries1:45 How Megan's 7plex from hell led her to the midterm rental model3:20 Making the portfolio shift: LTRs just couldn’t cash flow like MTRs4:50 Comparing STR, MTR, and LTR: Why midterm wins on tenant quality and vacancy7:35 Ideal property types and locations for midterm rental success8:55 Megan’s formula for analyzing deals with Furnished Finder’s Market Insights10:40 Remote management is easy with monthly tenants and a solid system12:20 Megan’s first midterm rental booked in 1 day14:15 Calendar tip: Prevent double bookings with this communication strategy16:00 Set your rental calendar up for monthly success17:40 Booking strategy: How much vacancy is too much between bookings?22:00 Round Table Discussion: Should you accept bookings far in advance?25:30 When emergencies hit: Moving tenants mid-stay to avoid the chaos27:35 Furnishing advice from a pro who stages 100+ homes a year31:05 Is a remodel worth it for MTRs? Megan's $15K experiment33:10 Balancing real estate and kids: What Megan and Katie got right (and wrong)37:00 Final tips for getting started in midterm rentals📸 Pro Tip: Your listing photos and first impression matter. Want to attract high-quality tenants fast? Invest in professional photos and make your space shine.💬 Let us know in the comments: What did you learn the hard way in your monthly midterm rental journey?🎙️ Subscribe for more real estate investor interviews, MTR strategies, and tools to help you live your best landlord life with Furnished Finder.#MonthlyRentlals #MidtermRentals #FurnishedFinder #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlow #MTR #RealEstatePodcast The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Imagine placing a professional athlete in furnished housing in less than 48 hours. That’s exactly what Jordan Meltzer, Co-Founder/Owner of Clubbie, has done for over 1,000 athletes nationwide, including more than 50 stays booked through Furnished Finder in the last year.In this episode of Landlord Diaries: The Monthly Rentals Podcast, we take you inside the world of athlete housing with Jordan Meltzer from Clubbie. He breaks down exactly what professional athletes look for in a midterm monthly rental and why flexible lease terms, accurate calendars, and fast communication are must-haves. You’ll hear key strategies landlords can use to stand out and which markets are in highest demand. Jordan shares a powerful story about a landlord who went above and beyond, turning a simple stay into something truly memorable.Clubbie connects professional athletes with landlords offering flexible, furnished housing and your property could be next. In this episode you’ll learn how Clubbie works with Furnished Finder landlords to serve professional athletes during the pro sports seasons and how you can become part of that network.List Your Property Now on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings) Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries and meet Jordan from Clubbie2:00 The moment Jordan realized pro athletes needed better housing3:40 Why pro athletes need midterm monthly furnished rentals4:45 How Clubbie uses Furnished Finder to match athletes with landlords7:30 What athletes want: full units, multi-bedrooms, and flexible leases9:00 Landlord must-haves: great photos, accurate pricing, and fast replies9:50 Why early lease termination clauses are essential12:55 Hot markets where Clubbie needs more listings14:55 Baseball leads Clubbie’s bookings, but other sports are growing16:45 How to make your property stand out to Clubbie & relocation companies18:45 Mistakes landlords should avoid on Furnished Finder21:35 Don’t get discouraged if every lead doesn’t convert23:00 Jordan estimates 90% of listings have no reviews, let’s change that24:45 The heartwarming story of a fireman landlord and a pro athlete’s family28:00 STR is transactional, LTR is hands-off, but MTR is about relationships32:05 What to expect when working with Clubbie: booking process explained37:55 How Clubbie handles tenant screening and communication40:40 Flexible extensions for playoffs and what landlords need to know41:40 Why Clubbie treats landlords like clients too43:15 How Furnished Finder creates win-win relationships for both sides The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

What if your retirement plan also created passive income and peace of mind today? In this episode of Furnished Finder’s podcast, Landlord Diaries, Joie Garcia reveals how she’s built a streamlined, low-stress midterm rental portfolio—without quitting her full-time job.Based in Palm Desert, CA, Joie has mastered the art of creating systems that eliminate chaos, boost guest satisfaction, and generate repeat bookings from Canadian snowbirds, travel nurses, and relocating families. From optimizing turnover days to mastering advance calendar bookings and preventative maintenance, Joie shows us how to make monthly midterm rentals work for your lifestyle—not the other way around.She also shares how Furnished Finder helps her:Secure longer stays with high-quality tenantsSimplify calendar and booking managementRun her MTR business on one platformThis is a must-listen if you're building your MTR portfolio and want practical strategies to reduce stress, save time, and increase profit. Whether you're a retiree, full-time employee, or scaling your real estate side hustle—this episode will give you the blueprint for making monthly rentals simple, smart, and sustainable.List Your Property Now on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)⏱️TIMESTAMPS0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries Podcast2:40 How your retirement plan can be an income-producing asset today3:35 Why condos are ideal for stress-free management5:10 Why tenants love condos with resort-style amenities7:50 Designing a low-stress real estate business12:15 Joie’s secret to securing longer stays on Furnished Finder16:45 Managing advance bookings with confidence using calendar tools21:00 Why Joie personally cleans her rentals & how it brings peace of mind23:35 Preventative maintenance: The key to fewer calls and 5-star reviews25:00 How Furnished Finder’s all-in-one tools reduce stress for landlords28:15 Creating a 5-star experience through hospitality & communication32:10 Joie’s advice for getting started in monthly midterm rentals today34:40 What’s one hosting task Joie secretly enjoys?35:35 A brilliant tip to simplify receipts and taxes for each rentalTrending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResourcesJoie's Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Johannah.Garcia The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Seattle is one of the top 5 U.S. cities where midterm rental demand is outpacing supply in early 2025, and today's guest is proving just how powerful room rentals can be in high-demand real estate markets.Edward Kusell-Zigelman has hosted traveling professionals, tech interns, and relocating individuals in his beautifully maintained 1920s Craftsman home. With almost two years of consistent room rental bookings through Furnished Finder and eight five-star reviews, Edward has built a reliable income stream bringing in $2,050 per month through his private room rental while living in the home.In this episode of Furnished Finder’s podcast, The Landlord Diaries, Edward shares how he created a smooth, low-stress co-living space that generates steady cash flow, contributes to housing availability, and fosters meaningful connections, all without the burnout of short-term rentals.Whether you’re a real estate investor, homeowner, or just curious about room rentals, you'll learn:How to screen the right tenantsWhat makes co-living work in a shared spaceHow to price strategically for your local marketWhy monthly midterm tenants offer reliable income with less turnoverAnd how Furnished Finder's landlord tools simplify the entire process---Co-living is on the rise, and room rentals might be the easiest and most overlooked way to build cash flow while helping solve local housing shortages. 22% of all Furnished Finder listings are room rentals with over 300,000 listings in all 50 states. ---List Your Property Now on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)Trending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResourcesEdward’s Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=edward.kusell_zigelman---Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries Podcast1:25 Why Edward chose Furnished Finder for room rentals2:30 Who’s renting rooms and how long do they stay?4:00 Why room rentals are a smart strategy6:00 What makes Edward’s home ideal for co-living8:30 Advice for first-time room rental hosts10:30 How Edward priced his room at $2,050/month16:25 Edward’s process for showings and screening20:45 Tools that make Furnished Finder landlord-friendly21:30 Setting expectations for privacy and shared spaces24:00 How room rentals have positively impacted Edward’s life The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Are you running a successful Airbnb or short-term rental business… but feeling the burnout from endless turnovers, guest messaging, and unpredictable income? You’re not alone. In this episode, we sit down with the founders of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah Karakaian & Annette Grant, who are seasoned STR operators and educators. We talk about how they’ve integrated mid-term rentals (MTRs) into their business strategy. We cover:Why experienced STR hosts are adding MTRsHow hybrid hosting stabilizes revenue and reduces stressThe systems and mindset shifts that make furnished rentals sustainableTips for maximizing profit while avoiding host burnoutIf you’re serious about building a smarter, more profitable hosting business, this conversation will change the way you think about STRs and MTRs. Subscribe for more insights from top operators.Ready to fill your mid-term rental? List your property on Furnished Finder today:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)Learn more about Thanks for Visiting and their upcoming bootcamp: https://thanksforvisiting.com/bootcamp⏱️ Episode Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries2:25 How Sarah and Annette met and built TFV4:20 What made two STR pros explore MTRs6:40 Why STR burnout is real and what to do about it8:40 Resourcefulness is your #1 business tool9:35 Real-life STR/MTR hybrid strategy success stories11:35 Pro tip: Give yourself time to find the right MTR guest13:00 When midterm makes more sense than short term15:05 How they were already MTR-ready without knowing it17:00 Can glamping work for monthly stays?18:00 Matching property type to market demand19:50 When a property doesn't work for MTR23:40 Why MTRs are perfect for winter slowdowns25:45 Listing Audit Bootcamp sneak peek29:35 How to price midterm rentals effectively33:20 Where Furnished Finder fits in a hybrid strategy35:50 How MTRs helped reduce burnout and increase freedom38:25 Smart calendar management for STR/MTR combos40:15 No booking fees and full control with Furnished Finder41:10 Why MTRs are part of the future of furnished rentals42:45 Most unique midterm guest stories45:20 Best business advice for scaling without burnoutTrending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources  The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Is your space “too small” to rent? Think again. In this inspiring episode of Furnished Finder’s podcast, The Landlord Diaries, we prove that compact properties can deliver massive returns, especially in the monthly midterm rental space.Meet Yesenia Garkanian, a first-year host who transformed a 600 sq ft guest house on her primary residence into a profitable, family-friendly rental. 100% of her bookings come through Furnished Finder, and she's now living the landlord life she once studied.Yesenia shares how she overcame doubt, priced her unit for success, added thoughtful design touches, and used Furnished Finder’s tools like the Landlord Performance Panel and Damage Protection Plan to confidently rent her space and spend more time with her kids.If you're sitting on a guest house, ADU, studio, or any compact rental and wondering, “Will anyone actually book this?” This episode is for you.We’ll talk about:Creative storage and layout tips for tiny rentalsWhy guest reviews prove that compact spaces do workHow to maintain privacy while renting on your propertyThe exact tools that help Yesenia operate with peace of mindList Your Property on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)Trending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries2:10 Why a guest house can be a powerful income stream4:20 Sharing your primary residence with midterm tenants5:25 Busting the “too small to rent” myth7:55 Real guest reviews that validate tiny rentals10:30 Tiny rental pricing: California vs. Texas vs. Iowa12:15 Why full-size amenities matter in small spaces14:15 Designing compact spaces that feel like home17:25 Creative storage hacks that renters love19:25 Setting expectations with strong communication21:50 Where to store backups and supplies in small units22:35 Decluttering tip: remove what guests won’t use23:00 Don’t forget a space for cleaning supplies24:30 Maintaining privacy when sharing your property27:25 Furnished Finder tools that helped Yesenia thrive30:30 How the Landlord Performance Panel guided her pricing33:15 Using market data to validate your rental decision37:50 How the Damage Protection Plan gives landlords peace of mind42:40 Yesenia’s advice: “Just do it”Yesenia’s Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=ye The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Monthly midterm rental pricing can feel like a guessing game, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of The Landlord Diaries, we dive into proven pricing strategies that help real estate investors stay competitive and profitable with their furnished monthly rentals. Our guest, Kyle Driskell, Senior Solutions Consultant at PriceLabs, brings expert insights from one of the most powerful revenue management tools in the furnished rental space. Kyle has led pricing masterclasses nationwide and brings expert-level insights you won’t want to miss.We’ll show you how to confidently price your rental by understanding your monthly expenses, analyzing local comps, and making smart, low-risk tweaks to maximize both occupancy and earnings. Plus, we explore how Furnished Finder’s built-in tools like the market insights, map search, and Listing Performance Panel help you price with confidence and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you're MTR-only or running a hybrid STR/MTR strategy, this episode will help you stop guessing and start earning more.👉 List your property on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listingsFREE Pricing Worksheethttps://try.furnishedfinder.com/pricingworksheet/⏱️ Time Stamps:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries2:00 Meet Kyle Driskell: His journey into pricing strategies & PriceLabs3:30 The Pricing Struggle: Why most MTR hosts feel stuck or uncertain5:50 Step 1: Know your monthly expenses & set a confident pricing floor10:00 What’s a good occupancy rate for midterm rentals? (It’s better than you think!)10:50 Research 101: Finding your “sweet spot” using comps & market data11:50 Matching comps by amenities, location & quality: A Furnished Finder guide17:45 Don’t let “analysis paralysis” hold you back, jump in & watch for pricing signals21:40 Using PriceLabs tools to automate & refine your pricing strategy25:35 Monitoring your Furnished Finder Listing Performance panel for feedback28:15 Reading the market: Are guests telling you your pricing is too high or low?29:25 How adding MTR to your STR strategy can improve occupancy & stabilize income33:00 Why your fees and deposits could be affecting bookings36:45 Final Takeaways: Simple pricing steps you can apply today The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Can you scale a rental portfolio without buying a single property? Yes—and today’s guests are living proof. Join us on The Landlord Diaries as we sit down with power couple Nate & Katie Lyon to unpack their rental arbitrage strategy for monthly midterm rentals. Katie Lyon, Marketing Director at Furnished Finder, brings over a decade of real estate and marketing experience to the conversation, while Nate adds an extensive background in marketing, operations and design. Together, they’ve built a 14-door portfolio mainly through out-of-state arbitrage in Iowa—leveraging Furnished Finder as the foundation for growth.You’ll learn why arbitrage works especially well for 30+ day furnished rentals, how to approach arbitrage partners, run the numbers, structure leases, and find quality tenants like travel nurses, relocating families, and corporate professionals. Whether you’re new to investing or looking to expand, this episode is your step-by-step guide to midterm rental arbitrage.👉 List your property on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property (Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)👉 Explore MTR tools and resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources👉 View Nate & Katie Lyon’s properties:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=katie.lyon8👉 Furnishing your MTR with Minoan:https://youtu.be/mc5IFRErgCk?feature=shared📝 Free MTR Furnishing Checklist:https://assets.ctfassets.net/8rvbu1uw8lem/4pKVOxeFmg0umMHL2vclew/0cfaabe735029d6f5181bb20cdf26aa6/Monthly_Rental_Essentials_Checklist_-Minoan-Furnished_Finder-.pdf⏱️ Episode Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries3:25 Why arbitrage + midterm rentals = perfect partnership4:30 The Lyons’ first arbitrage deal (and why they started in Iowa)5:25 The 3 key players in MTR arbitrage6:55 Arbitrage vs. ownership: Pros, cons & cash flow differences10:00 Why MTR arbitrage over STR arbitrage for property managers12:35 Securing your first arbitrage partnership and tenant placement14:05 The groundwork: Setting up your arbitrage business16:15 Market research tips: Traveler types, pricing, and Furnished Finder market data22:35 How to find and pitch your first arbitrage partner29:10 Pro tip: How to make a confident first call to the property manager32:10 Structuring tenant leases in arbitrage units35:55 Why midterm travelers are the ideal tenant type38:10 Marketing your listing like a pro (headline, calendar, pricing)47:50 Why every arbitrage unit should be listed on Furnished Finder51:05 Lessons learned & scaling tips from arbitrage experts52:30 3 easy steps to start your MTR arbitrage journey today🎯 Whether you’re a cash-strapped beginner or a scaling investor, this episode gives you a real-world playbook to succeed in the monthly rental space—without buying a property.🔔 Subscribe for more landlord stories and strategies, only on The Landlord Diaries, powered by Furnished Finder. The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

If you think travel nurses are the only game in town for midterm rentals, think again! In this episode of The Landlord Diaries, we welcome Amy Fraser, co-owner of Cottage Real Estate & Rental Collection in Huntersville, North Carolina. Amy’s firm manages 11 high-end monthly rentals primarily targeting relocation tenants—a segment that’s grown 130% year-over-year.We’ll break down why limiting your strategy to healthcare professionals could leave money on the table, and how expanding to relocation tenants, corporate travelers, and digital nomads can drive consistent cash flow. Amy shares actionable tips on HOA compliance, design choices that stand out, and how to leverage Furnished Finder’s powerful tools to maximize your booking pipeline.Whether you have one furnished rental or a growing portfolio, you’ll learn how to diversify your guest pool and build relationships that translate into future real estate opportunities.List Your Property Now on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)⏰ Time Stamps0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries2:15 Why top real estate brokers invest in midterm rentals4:00 Positioning midterm rentals as a winning cash flow strategy5:45 Beyond travel nurses: who else is renting midterm?9:25 Amy’s first guest: a digital nomad that stayed 6 months10:30 Building trust and relationships with Tenant Leads15:00 Furnished Finder’s top 3 traveler segments revealed16:20 Local industries driving relocation demand18:15 How relocation tenants can help you navigate strict HOAs19:20 Saving struggling short-term rental owners through MTR pivots20:00 Why Class A neighborhoods work best for Amy’s properties22:40 Consistent design for repeatable success in furnished rentals27:00 Marketing tips: attract one tenant type without alienating others29:45 Amy’s favorite Furnished Finder marketing features31:00 Two easy tweaks to present as a pro host, even with one property35:40 Matching tenant types to property size and layout37:10 Amy’s outlook on corporate relocation and monthly rental demand40:30 Final advice: always pivot and refine your MTR strategy42:30 Landlord homework: broaden your tenant poolTrending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResourcesAmy’s Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=amy.fraser   The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

What makes a midterm rental feel like home instead of just a place to crash? In this episode of The Landlord Diaries, we sit down with Madison Miller, who has stayed in 5 different Furnished Finder rentals in just one year—and owns a midterm rental herself.Madison breaks down what separates a great monthly rental from an average one, the dealbreakers that make her skip a listing, and the one thing landlords should never forget when designing a space for 30+ day tenants. She also shares the exact questions she asks landlords before booking and how those insights helped her market her own Kansas City rental like a pro.Whether you're a real estate investor, new landlord, or curious traveler, this episode is packed with must-know strategies to increase occupancy, attract quality tenants, and optimize your listing on Furnished Finder.📈 Get insider tips on:Tenant-approved amenities that make a property feel like homeWhy some landlords are losing bookings without even realizing itThe ROI of professional photos and clear communicationReal-world examples of how small touches = 5-star staysList Your Property Now on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)⏱️Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries2:00 Renting your home while traveling: peace-of-mind passive income3:00 Why Madison booked 3 Furnished Finder rentals in one city4:45 What makes a rental “great” vs. just “okay”9:45 Game-changing landlord tips from a tenant’s point of view12:20 Madison’s two must-haves before booking any monthly stay15:10 How Madison markets her property using guest experience insights19:00 Traveler types you didn’t expect on Furnished Finder20:45 Top questions every midterm tenant should ask before booking23:30 What stops the scroll? Listings that stand out on Furnished Finder26:25 Hosting through a tenant’s lens: Madison’s smart setup strategy29:35 Self-managing vs. using a property manager while traveling32:25 Who’s really booking Madison’s rental? (Not who you think!)33:40 Madison’s #1 tip to start or upgrade your rental today Trending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResourcesMadison’s Listing on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/property/545977_1  The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.