1st BP Post: Furnished vs. unfurnished rental

[Michael Owens]

I just bought a 3BR house that I am in the process of moving into. I want to rent out at least 1BR, maybe 2. I already have bedroom furniture for 2 bedrooms that I like (my BR and one other), so I am thinking I'd have one of my spare bedrooms unfurnished and the other furnished. Its near Duke university, so I think there will be some seasonal medical workforce movement, grad school students, etc., so it could line up well for mid-term furnished rental. 

I have never rented a furnished room before - is there a rule of thumb for rent unfurnished vs. furnished? Any notable downsides to renting furnished? Do 12-month tenants have concerns about shorter-term people? In my mind, I want to keep the furniture, and it will likely gross me a little more money, so why not? Any thoughts would be much appreciated.