Getting Started Medium Term Rentals

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Medium-Term Rentals
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Getting Started Medium Term Rentals

Richie Hutchinson
Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 1 vote

Hi Team,

I live in a community that has two major health systems, a strong banking industry, and several other strong sectors.  There appears to be good demand for mid-term rentals.  I have a home I currently own that I'd like to experiment with.  What do I need to consider to get started.

1. Best platform(s) are best to use to connect with renters

2. Tips for preparing the home

3. Other....

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Payton HaightBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2021 · 124 posts · 86 votes
1y

Hi Richie,

I have had 3 mid-term rentals in the midwest since 2022. It has been a great experience so far. See my responses to your questions below:

1) FurnishedFinder and Airbnb. I prefer FurnishedFinder and that is where I get ~80% of my guests.  For reference, most of my guests are traveling professionals (nurses, utility workers, relocating faculty from local universities, etc.)

2) Consider your target guest - For example if you are renting to traveling nurses, they may work night shifts and sleep during the day so you will want black out curtains in the bedroom. A few other things I provide:

- toiletries for ~1 week

- coffee

- Netflix and live tv subscription (Youtubetv or Hulu live tv)

- lawn and snow removal services

- sound machine

 3) I would recommend getting smart locks for your exterior doors. This will allow you to remotely set a code for each guest and do not have to give the guests any keys

Good luck!

[email protected]380-324-0445
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  • Payton HaightBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2021 · 124 posts · 86 votes
    1y

    Hi Richie,

    I have had 3 mid-term rentals in the midwest since 2022. It has been a great experience so far. See my responses to your questions below:

    1) FurnishedFinder and Airbnb. I prefer FurnishedFinder and that is where I get ~80% of my guests.  For reference, most of my guests are traveling professionals (nurses, utility workers, relocating faculty from local universities, etc.)

    2) Consider your target guest - For example if you are renting to traveling nurses, they may work night shifts and sleep during the day so you will want black out curtains in the bedroom. A few other things I provide:

    - toiletries for ~1 week

    - coffee

    - Netflix and live tv subscription (Youtubetv or Hulu live tv)

    - lawn and snow removal services

    - sound machine

     3) I would recommend getting smart locks for your exterior doors. This will allow you to remotely set a code for each guest and do not have to give the guests any keys

    Good luck!

    [email protected]380-324-0445
    2Reply
  • Richie Hutchinson
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    1y

    Thanks for the input.  This is helpful. 

    0Reply
  • James Hodgson
    Member since 2024 · 11 posts · 9 votes
    1y

    Thanks for sharing that info @Payton Haight. Were there any other platforms you used that you did not like? I will be looking to list one of my duplex units as a midterm rental for traveling professionals. It will ideally be medical personnel so your suggestions for blackout curtains and noise machines are good ideas.

    0Reply
  • Payton HaightBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2021 · 124 posts · 86 votes
    1y

    @James Hodgson - Fortunately, I have only needed to use FurnishedFinder and Airbnb so far. I do a background check and lease for my guests that book through FurnishedFinder and have had a really good experience so far. 

    I do not really like the experience with Airbnb in my area so far. The booking process is much easier than FurnishedFinder, but Airbnb takes a pretty good cut of the rent you could be getting. I have had issues with some guests through Airbnb and also seem to get a lot of scam/spam booking requests from fake accounts.

    [email protected]380-324-0445
    0Reply
  • Jeremy Jareckyj
    Real Estate Agent · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2020 · 490 posts · 205 votes
    1y

    I also highly recommend listing on turbotenant . It is free and I have seen lots of interest in the furnished rental space there

    1Reply
  • Nicole Heasley Beitenman
    Investor · Youngstown, OH · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    1y

    Pick up a copy of 30 Day Stay from the BiggerPockets bookstore. It's a fantastic guide!

    0Reply
  • Summer Chen
    Homeowner · CA · Member since 2023 · 40 posts · 16 votes
    1y

    I remember someone in BP forum mentioned that he also does background check even if the guests book through airbnb. 

    I would request security deposit and renters' insurance as well. 

    1Reply
    • Vivian Yip
      Specialist · Austin TX · Member since 2018 · 82 posts · 55 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Summer Chen:

      I remember someone in BP forum mentioned that he also does background check even if the guests book through airbnb. 

      I would request security deposit and renters' insurance as well. 


       I do a quick screening of every one of my guests using AI tools and every one of them signs a rental agreement, provides a selfie, government issued ID as well a deposit. 

      0Reply
  • Claudia BucheggerPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 17 posts · 33 votes
    1y

    I've experimented with all rental strategies and mid-term rentals are my favorite! Best tenants and you charge a premium since you furnish the place but it is a lot less work than short-term rentals. With that being said, I have had major success doing mid-term rentals using just FurnishedFinder and Airbnb (set the minimum day stay to 30 days). Most of my bookings come from Airbnb and the stays have been 3-7 months long at a time and booked all year round. 

    Please get a good photographer after furnishing the units! It makes the biggest difference for bookings. Also, I got most of the furniture from Amazon, cheap but still good quality and delivered to your door. Invest in nice decor, it stands out in photos which promotes bookings. Mid-term rental guests love a good quality mattress and couch. Good luck!!

    [email protected]614-618-4015
    0Reply
  • Myka Artis
    Rental Property Investor · Arlington, TX · Member since 2016 · 706 posts · 611 votes
    1y

    Hello Richie!

    Welcome to the midterm rental space.

    1. The best platform is directly to the clients. This is harder to do, but it has given me the biggest payouts. You can do this by networking with companies that actively place mid-term guests. I get on LinkedIn and connect with people who are relocation specialists for companies such as ALE Solutions, Alacrity, Sedgewick, etc. While you're getting associated with them, be sure to list on Airbnb and Furnished Finder. Airbnb and Furnished Finder will get you in the game to start you off. Other places like ALE Solutions are now accepting listings. You can also use 

    2. The best way to prepare your home is to nail down your target market. My target market is families that need housing due to insurance claims, so I always make sure that it's a 3-bed, 2-bath, 2-car garage, fenced property, and is prepared with high-speed internet, a king bed in the master, queens or double twins in the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms. I recommend TVs in every bedroom (of course, this depends on the target market), a coffee machine, etc. I can go on and on as far as stuff is concerned. I have an entire Google Sheets list I use to furnish mine. I can send it to you if you're interested.

    3. The biggest goal is to be the go-to in your market. Build a mid-term rental brand so everyone knows who you are, and you will stay booked. I'm 100% occupied right now across my 7 properties, and all of them came from insurance clients reaching out directly to me. However, it took me a while to really find out who was coming to my area and how to market to them directly. 

    Good luck in your journey! 

    2Reply
    • Vivian Yip
      Specialist · Austin TX · Member since 2018 · 82 posts · 55 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Myka Artis:

      Hello Richie!

      Welcome to the midterm rental space.

      1. The best platform is directly to the clients. This is harder to do, but it has given me the biggest payouts. You can do this by networking with companies that actively place mid-term guests. I get on LinkedIn and connect with people who are relocation specialists for companies such as ALE Solutions, Alacrity, Sedgewick, etc. While you're getting associated with them, be sure to list on Airbnb and Furnished Finder. Airbnb and Furnished Finder will get you in the game to start you off. Other places like ALE Solutions are now accepting listings. You can also use 

      2. The best way to prepare your home is to nail down your target market. My target market is families that need housing due to insurance claims, so I always make sure that it's a 3-bed, 2-bath, 2-car garage, fenced property, and is prepared with high-speed internet, a king bed in the master, queens or double twins in the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms. I recommend TVs in every bedroom (of course, this depends on the target market), a coffee machine, etc. I can go on and on as far as stuff is concerned. I have an entire Google Sheets list I use to furnish mine. I can send it to you if you're interested.

      3. The biggest goal is to be the go-to in your market. Build a mid-term rental brand so everyone knows who you are, and you will stay booked. I'm 100% occupied right now across my 7 properties, and all of them came from insurance clients reaching out directly to me. However, it took me a while to really find out who was coming to my area and how to market to them directly. 

      Good luck in your journey! 


       All of this! congrats on your success and to many more!

      1Reply
  • Gregory SchwartzBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · College Station, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Just get started. I tried furnished finders, VRBO, direct to employers, and Airbnb. For our business, Airbnb provided 90% occupancy with the least headache. But every market is different, and to be honest, each MTR is different. So the best advice is to start and learn as you go!

    Good luck!

    [email protected]443-812-0357
    Schwartz Realty Group5118 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Drago Stanimirovic
    New to Real Estate · Miami, FL · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 473 votes
    1y

    Hi Richie,

    Great market for mid-term rentals — health systems and banking hubs create steady demand.

    Platform: Furnished Finder is ideal for travel nurses. Airbnb (30+ day stays) also works well.

    Prep: Fully furnish, include fast Wi-Fi, kitchen essentials, workspace, and in-unit laundry. Clean and hotel-like is key.

    Other: Check local rules, compare pricing, and think about forming an LLC if you plan to grow.

    0Reply
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