The Landlord Diaries

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.

Monthly furnished rentals are exploding—and savvy investors are already cashing in. In this data-packed episode of The Landlord Diaries, we sit down with Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder and former president of VRBO, to unpack the biggest tenant trends, market opportunities, and demand signals shaping the midterm rental space in 2025.🔥 Did you know that traveler demand in Abilene, Texas is up 400% year-over-year? That’s just the beginning. From corporate relocations to healthcare travel, demand for monthly rentals is outpacing supply by 6–7x nationwide.We break down:What’s driving demand in small towns like Abilene, Juneau, and ButteMedium-sized cities (like Milwaukee and Portland, ME) that urgently need more inventoryBig city markets like Chicago, Silicon Valley, and Seattle—where supply STILL isn’t keeping upHow to evaluate YOUR market in 4 steps: compare Furnished Finder demand stats, Airbnb supply, Zillow pricing, and extended stay hotel costsWhy travelers are booking earlier, staying longer, and often moving with pets—and why 60% of tenants on Furnished Finder are womenHow to tap into insurance, relocation, and construction tenant types beyond just travel nurses👉 Visit https://www.furnishedfinder.com/stats to research your market.List your property on Furnished Finder: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property (Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)🎧 Subscribe now to never miss expert insights on monthly rentals, property management strategies, and hidden investment gems.⏱️Timestamps:0:00 Welcome + Abilene, TX sees 400% traveler growth (What’s going on?)1:10 Why midterm rental demand is growing 6–7x faster than supply2:20 Booking requests surge 100% YoY: What that means for your cash flow3:40 Monthly rental tenant types: corporate travel, healthcare, and relocation5:05 Zillow vs. Padsplit vs. Furnished Finder: long-term housing trends6:30 New tenant behaviors: earlier bookings, more pets, larger groups8:45 Monthly Rentals vs. Midterm Rentals: What tenants are actually searching10:00 4-step method to analyze if your market works for monthly rentals13:50 What the data tells us: How to spot demand and underserved markets14:45 Hidden gem markets: Abilene, TX and the data center development boom17:20 Juneau, AK case study: What demand without inventory looks like20:25 Medium markets that need more listings NOW (Portland, Milwaukee & more)24:50 Major cities where demand still exceeds supply (Chicago, Silicon Valley, Boston)28:30 Investor tip: Learn your market’s story, not just its numbers30:10 How to use the FurnishedFinder.com/stats page like a pro31:40 Comparing your Furnished Finder listing to Zillow, Airbnb, and extended stay hotels33:10 Biggest mistake new landlords make with monthly rentals34:55 Closing thoughts + how to stay ahead of tenant trendsThe Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Want to attract high-quality tenants and boost your midterm monthly rental cash flow—without overspending on furnishings? This episode of The Landlord Diaries is your ultimate guide. We’re joined by Jennifer Zureikat, Marketing Director at Minoan, to reveal how landlords can furnish monthly rentals beautifully, affordably, and strategically. Learn how to skip the overwhelm, cut costs drastically, and even monetize your furnishings through Minoan’s unique tools—like digital showrooms and affiliate commissions from your guests. Jennifer shares her real estate journey to monthly rentals and Furnished Finder. You’ll hear practical tips from three active midterm rental operators who know exactly what it takes to turn a unit into a guest magnet.BONUS: FREE Midterm Rental Furnishing Checklist—created by Minoan & Furnished Finder— start furnishing smarter, not harder. https://assets.ctfassets.net/8rvbu1uw8lem/4pKVOxeFmg0umMHL2vclew/0cfaabe735029d6f5181bb20cdf26aa6/Monthly_Rental_Essentials_Checklist_-Minoan-Furnished_Finder-.pdfGet Started with Minoan: https://minoan.com/partnership-ff-2025 List Your Property Now on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)🔗 Explore Your Market's MTR Demand:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/stats⏱️ Time Stamps:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries1:00 The win-win partnership: Furnished Finder x Minoan2:15 Jen’s journey to midterm monthly rentals5:45 Why Minoan is your furnishing secret weapon7:10 How to earn passive income through your furniture8:15 Introducing the Minoan x Furnished Finder furnishing checklist10:25 Why STR furniture lists don’t work for monthly rentals13:40 Small upgrades that dramatically improve tenant experience17:25 How Minoan makes furnishing fast and affordable21:00 Invest now, save later: Furnishings that last24:10 What belongs in your midterm rental “starter kit”26:15 First impressions: Why furnishings shape tenant relationships27:05 The 5 most important furnishings for MTRs30:45 Design tips for better property photos + pet-friendly must-haves32:40 Outdoor spaces matter—how to make yours rental-ready34:35 Start where you are: Furnishing without overwhelm38:00 Often-overlooked items that tenants expect42:15 Ready to level up? Download the Minoan checklist nowMinoan + Furnished Finder Webinar:https://youtu.be/mc5IFRErgCk?si=34aZ8xXICFj0zoDJ  Jennifer’s Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=jennifer.zureikat   Host Katie Lyon’s Properties:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=katie.lyon8      Host Kelly Bailey’s Properties:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Kelly.Bailey13The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Discover how to optimize your rental calendar for maximum occupancy. Kelly and Katie share their secrets to maintaining over 95% occupancy in midterm rentals. Learn the importance of accurate listings and how to avoid common booking pitfalls. They delve into the significance of syncing calendars with platforms like Airbnb and VRBO and highlight communication tips that turn inquiries into confirmed bookings. Uncover strategies that boost visibility and streamline your rental management for more passive income.

Did you know only 50% of tenants signed a lease for their last mid-term rental stay? That stat shocked us too. In this episode, we’re diving into why every landlord offering monthly furnished rentals needs a rock-solid lease agreement—and exactly how to build one that protects you and your property without overcomplicating things.We’re joined by Deborah Holstein, Chief Growth Officer at Rocket Lawyer, to break down the essentials of a great lease for mid-term rentals. Whether you’re brand new to monthly rentals or you’ve hosted dozens of traveling nurses and corporate guests, this episode is your roadmap to creating clear, legally sound, and easy-to-manage lease agreements.Through Furnished Finder’s powerful partnership with Rocket Lawyer, landlords have access to state-specific, attorney-approved leases that are tailored to the unique needs of the MTR (Mid-Term Rental) space. We talk through the 8 things every MTR lease needs, real-world landlord data, and tips to avoid common mistakes that can cost you time, money, or your property’s reputation.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:- Why a lease matters more than you think for monthly stays- The 8 essential elements every MTR lease should include- Furnished Finder data: average deposits, pet fees, cleaning fees & more- How to handle early lease termination (ELT), utilities, shared spaces, pets &  damage waivers- Why generic leases from friends or Google just won’t cut it- How to get started today using KeyCheck & Rocket Lawyer toolsThis episode is packed with actionable insights to help you operate like a pro. 🚀🔗 Ready to simplify your lease process? Access Rocket Lawyer’s MTR-optimized leases now: https://www.keycheck.com/  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/PMResourcesEpisode Highlights:0:00 Only 50% of tenants signed a lease in their last MTR stay2:00 Furnished Finder + Rocket Lawyer: How this partnership is empowering landlords3:20 Why leases matter for mid-term rentals (yes, even for 30-day guests)7:00 The 8 must-have elements for your MTR lease7:45 Lease terms: stay length, payment timing & due dates9:15 75% of tenants prefer paying online—are you prepared?10:25 Deposits, fees, damage waivers—what’s standard on Furnished Finder?12:55 How Rocket Lawyer makes lease-building super simple15:00 Hot topic: Security deposits & standard MTR fees18:15 Data point: Average FF cleaning fee is $175—checked our market lately?19:25 Early lease termination: rules, fees & flexibility24:30 Pet policies & deposits: What works for monthly rentals29:15 Amenities, storage, parking—yes, they should be in your lease31:15 Why random leases from the internet are a legal risk37:10 Lease questions? Connect now: https://www.keycheck.com/Home/ContactUs  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 curious about monthly stays, room rentals or how to earn while you travel? Meet Reva Lewis, a NICU nurse and seasoned traveler who has spent over eight years crisscrossing the U.S. using Furnished Finder for safe, affordable stays. With around 80% of her travels booked on Furnished Finder—including both room rentals and entire spaces—Reva knows what midterm renters prioritize, from pricing and privacy to flexible lease terms.As a travel nurse turned host, she shares insider tips on room rentals, house hacking, and setting up your property for success. Whether you're a property owner looking to boost your income or a travel nurse in need of housing, this episode is packed with actionable insights on pricing strategies, travel nurse stipends, cancelled contracts and location challenges in rural markets.Check rental demand in your area: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/statsList your property now on Furnished Finder: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property (Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)Highlights:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries2:00 House hacking & room rental benefits for real estate investors3:00 Who books room rentals? Travel nurses, professionals & corporate travelers3:55 Pricing & privacy: How travel nurses choose between a room or an entire space5:50 Travel nurse industry insights: How Mardi Gras impacted the industry6:35 Midterm rentals vs. short-term rentals: How MTRs benefit local communities7:20 Location challenges: Why more midterm rentals are needed in rural areas9:00 Why Furnished Finder? More control over pricing & tenant communication12:50 The best questions to ask as a host & traveler before booking14:35 Cancelled contracts & flexible lease terms – tips from experienced hosts17:35 Considering room rentals? Reva’s top 3 tips for success19:35 Financial upsides of room rentals & house hacking for monthly travelers21:45 Managing midterm rental payments through KeyCheck25:15 Are property showings expected for midterm rental guests?28:25 Reva’s favorite Furnished Finder stay: What makes a rental stand out29:50 Connect with Reva Lewis for travel nurse housing & room rental advice🚀 Don’t miss this episode if you’re serious about making money with monthly furnished rentals!Trending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources  Reva Lewis’s Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Reva.LewisHost Kelly Bailey’s Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Kelly.Bailey13  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.

How do you achieve a 12-18% cash-on-cash return with Furnished Finder? Mark Reed, founder of SURE Property Management, Development & Construction shares how he built a thriving Furnished Finder portfolio in Baltimore, MD, by revitalizing a neighborhood hosting medical professionals. Learn how I built a cashflow machine with travel nurses & Furnished Finder in this episode of Landlord Diaries. Discover how to maximize profits with this unique rental strategy!In this episode, Mark reveals:✔️ Why medical districts are goldmines for mid-term rentals✔️ How travel nurses can stay 90-180+ days, achieving nearly 100% occupancy ✔️ The 3 biggest advantages: Furnished Finder, MTR cash flow & medical travelers✔️ How he revitalized a community while scaling his rental business🚀 Whether you're new to monthly furnished rentals or scaling your real estate investment, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you maximize cash flow with Furnished Finder in 2025.List Your Property Now on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)Episode Highlights:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries 1:25 From Airbnb to Mid-Term Rentals (MTR) 3:00 Discovering Furnished Finder & Making the MTR Shift 4:50 Scaling in One Market: Unit Sizes & Strategy 8:40 🏚️ Medical Micro Communities: Two young women found safe housing while 13 homes on the block were boarded up! 9:30 Choosing the Best Location for Your Monthly Furnished Rental 12:15 Designing Your Rentals for Travel Nurses & Corporate Guests 18:40 The 3 Major MTR Advantages: Cash Flow, Furnished Finder & Medical Travelers 19:05 💰 The Cash Flow Advantage: 12-18% Cash-on-Cash Return 22:10 🏥 The Medical Advantage: 90-180 Day Stays = Fewer Turnovers 23:10 🏡 The Furnished Finder Advantage: Direct Booking & Personalized Stays 26:45 MTR Hosting Strategies: 5⭐ Guest Experience = Renewals & Referrals 31:00 Revitalizing Communities with Mid-Term RentalsTrending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources  Mark’s Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Mark.Reed  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 do digital nomads really look for in a monthly furnished rental? After 2.5 years on the road, living in 10 different Furnished Finder properties, Chelsea Kimlel has seen it all—the good, the bad, and the never again. In this episode, she reveals the must-haves that make a property stand out, the common mistakes that drive tenants away, and the key listing details that stop a traveler’s scroll.From Furnished Finder search tips to messaging mistakes, lease terms to storage space, Chelsea shares what makes a rental truly livable for monthly furnished travelers like her. If you want more bookings and better tenants, don’t miss this episode!🚀 List Your Property on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)⏳ Episode Highlights: 0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries 1:50 🚗 MTR Love Story: 2.5 years, 10 cities, and a flexible lifestyle 3:00 🏡 Work-Life on the Road: Digital marketing & woodworking hustle 5:00 📍 Strategic Planning: How Chelsea mapped out her travels 6:45 💰 Budget Smart: Use FurnishedFinder.com/stats to plan rental costs 7:55 🏠 Tenant Wish List: Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves in an MTR 10:55 📸 What Stops the Scroll? Listing details that grab attention 14:30 🚩 Instant Turn-Offs: What NOT to include in your rental photos 16:10 🔎 How Tenants Search Furnished Finder: Optimize Your Listing 18:05 👀 Red Flags for Travelers: What makes tenants skip a property 21:05 🚫 Things That Don’t Matter: Overrated features for midterm stays 23:15 🏘️ MTR Expectations: What should be included with a midterm stay 24:10 ⚡ Utility Caps: Are they a dealbreaker? Chelsea shares her take 25:20 🤝 The Furnished Finder Advantage: Why flexibility = more bookings 27:30 📆 The Tenant’s Search Process: How far in advance do they book? 29:40 🏡 What Tenants Want to Know About Landlords before signing a lease 31:45 💬 Messaging Mistakes: Bad responses that lose potential tenants 34:45 🔥 Chelsea’s Favorite New Furnished Finder Feature 36:20 ✍️ Lease Terms That Build Trust and confidence in a rental 39:10 📖 Ways to connect with Chelsea Kimlel🎧 Tune in now to transform your midterm rental strategy! 🚀Trending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources  Some of Chelsea’s Furnished Finder Stays:Chicago: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/property/253523_2Saint Petersburg: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/property/484432_1 Lake Tahoe: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/property/472668_1Sedona: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/property/533704_1Texas: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/property/702785_1Check out Chelsea’s Blog: https://www.chiefnomadicofficer.com/Host Katie Lyon’s Properties:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=katie.lyon8 Host Kelly Bailey’s Properties:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Kelly*|B. 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 short-term rental faced heavy restrictions—but instead of losing income, you unlocked a high-demand niche with 90% occupancy? That’s exactly what Bella and Levi Linchenko did by leveraging Furnished Finder and midterm rental (MTR) strategies. They transformed a live-in flip into a high-performing MTR business and even used their rental income to fund a ski trip to the Alps! If you’re wondering how to attract digital nomads, traveling professionals, and retirees, this Furnished Finder Landlord Diaries episode is packed with actionable insights.In this episode, they reveal: ✅ Why they chose MTR over STR (without losing income) ✅ Why transparency leads to happier guests & fewer headaches ✅ How MTR revenue funded their Alps ski trip ✅ The key differences in furnishing MTR vs STR properties ✅ Why midterm guests are easier to manage than short-term renters ✅ How to address seasonality & maximize occupancyPlus, Bella & Levi share expert design tips for MTR success, including market research, must-have furnishings, and costly design mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re a real estate investor, STR host looking to pivot, or a newbie in MTRs, this episode is a must-listen!📢 Ready to list your property? Get started on Furnished Finder today: 👉 https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)Episode Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to Landlord Diaries1:25 Why some hosts prefer MTRs over STRs in vacation rental markets2:30 How Bella & Levi started with an MTR duplex house hack4:05 Finding Furnished Finder was a game-changer5:50 Fix & flip strategy with MTR for maximum value7:25 MTR revenue funded their Alps ski trip9:40 Transparency: The secret to happy MTR guests14:20 When to start marketing & furnishing your MTR18:25 Why MTR guests are easier to manage than STR tenants22:35 Market research for MTR friendly design27:45 Furnishing an MTR vs STR—Key differences31:10 The biggest mistake hosts make in MTR31:50 Minimum viable product concept for MTR success34:30 Design mistakes that cost you revenue37:00 How to find the right MTR property40:20 Addressing seasonality in midterm rental markets42:55 The secret to long-term MTR success? Just get started!44:25 Connect with Bella & Levi LinchenkoResources & Links:📌 Trending Midterm Rental Resources: 👉 https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources🏡 Guest’s Listings on Furnished Finder: 👉 https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Bella.Gonzalez69📸 Follow Bella & Levi on IG: @LetsgowithBellaThe Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.

Getting started in mid-term rentals or buying your next investment property? Whether you're a new or experienced investor, Colin Wong has cracked the code on scaling mid-term rentals across multiple markets. With 10+ MTRs and 70% of his bookings coming from Furnished Finder, Colin shares proven strategies for picking the right markets, maximizing cash flow, and managing properties remotely. Tune in to learn how he balances equity growth with cash flow, finds investor-friendly realtors, and optimizes his listings for consistent bookings.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 podcast1:50 Colin’s real estate journey started with advice from a friend4:05 Googling “how to improve cash flow” led him to mid-term rentals5:30 How MTRs generate 1.5-2x more than long-term rentals5:50 Let the tenant demand in your market guide your rental strategy7:45 Strategic property selection: How to spot the right MTR opportunities10:20 What to look for when buying your next mid-term rental16:10 MTR design tips: Keep it simple, update as guests request20:45 70% of Colin’s bookings come from Furnished Finder—must-know tips21:50 Has Colin’s strategy for equity and cash flow paid off?24:35 Managing out-of-state rentals: Start with an investor-friendly realtor28:15 Scaling to 25+ MTRs: Colin’s partnership and long-term vision30:30 3 expert tips for Furnished Finder success👉 Subscribe for more expert MTR insights! 🏡 💰 #MidTermRentals #RealEstateInvesting #FurnishedFinderTrending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources   E-Book: Best Practices & Furnishing Advice for Landlords New to Renting:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/best-practices  Colin Wong’s Listings on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Colin.Wong 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.