Real Estate Rookie Podcast Summary
Episode: Monthly Rentals: Make More Money with Less Hassle
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host: BiggerPockets (Tony J. Robinson & Garrett Brown)
Guest: Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnish Finder

1. Introduction

In this episode of the Real Estate Rookie podcast, hosts Tony J. Robinson and Garrett Brown welcome special guest Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnish Finder. Jeff brings his extensive experience from the short-term rental industry to discuss the burgeoning field of monthly and midterm rentals, offering invaluable insights for rookie investors aiming to diversify their real estate portfolios with less hassle and increased profitability.

2. Differentiating Monthly and Midterm Rentals

Tony J. Robinson begins by addressing a common misconception: "Think real estate starts and ends with Airbnb. Well, today's guest is shaking that belief." Jeff elaborates on the distinction between monthly rentals and midterm rentals, emphasizing that terminology matters for market growth.

Jeff Hurst [01:14]:
"They're typing into Google monthly furnished rentals or monthly rentals 50 times more often than they're typing in midterm rentals."

Jeff explains that while industry insiders might use "midterm rentals," tenants prefer terms like "monthly rentals" or "furnished rentals," which aligns better with their search behaviors and needs.

3. Factors Driving Growth in Midterm Rentals

Drawing from his background as the former Chief Strategy Officer at HomeAway and President of VRBO, Jeff identifies several macroeconomic factors fueling the rise of midterm rentals:

• Regulatory Changes: Increasing restrictions on short-term rentals have created a sweet spot for rentals lasting 30 days or more.

• Inflation Impact: Rising costs have pushed more individuals to choose rentals over purchasing homes, with midterm rentals being more economical than hotels or Airbnb stays due to the absence of service fees.

• Post-COVID Work Flexibility: The shift towards remote work has increased the demand for flexible living arrangements, including digital nomads and professionals requiring temporary housing.

Jeff Hurst [02:40]:
"There's a little bit of a sweet spot that comes in when you start to sign a traditional monthly lease."

These factors collectively make midterm rentals an attractive alternative, positioning them between short-term vacation stays and long-term leases.

4. Opportunities for Rookie Investors

Garrett Brown shares his observations from the Houston market, noting a decline in buyers and a surge in monthly and long-term rentals. Jeff advises rookie investors to leverage their existing knowledge or passions when entering the midterm rental space.

Jeff Hurst [05:08]:
"Stick with what you know or stick with what you're passionate about."

By understanding the specific needs of their target tenants—be it traveling nurses, corporate relocations, or families—investors can better position their properties to meet demand and outperform traditional short-term rentals.

5. Supply and Saturation in Midterm Rental Markets

When questioned about market saturation, Jeff asserts that the midterm rental market is still in its early stages with a lack of supply. Unlike short-term rentals concentrated in leisure hotspots, midterm rentals are dispersed near hospitals, universities, and commuter corridors, reducing local oversupply issues.

Jeff Hurst [07:24]:
"There's a lack of supply, and part of the reason is the diversity of use cases between short term and what we do at Furnish Finder."

This distribution ensures that while certain neighborhoods may become saturated, there remains ample opportunity across broader geographic regions.

6. Evaluating Market Demand

Jeff introduces Furnish Finder’s stats page, a valuable tool for investors to assess market demand. By analyzing property views relative to inventory, investors can gauge performance potential.

Jeff Hurst [09:10]:
"If you divide the total property views by the amount of inventory and you're kind of like around 200, you're in the ball game."

This metric helps investors identify promising markets, especially in suburban and rural areas where midterm rentals are particularly effective.

7. Operational Strategies for Midterm Rentals

Transitioning from short-term to midterm rentals involves distinct operational adjustments. Jeff highlights the simplicity of managing midterm rentals with fewer turnovers and less intensive maintenance.

Jeff Hurst [15:55]:
"It needs to be able to sleep comfortably, work productively, cook easily... These are not pickleball tables or foosball tables."

Investors should focus on essential amenities that cater to longer stays, such as high-quality bedding and functional kitchens, while avoiding unnecessary expenses on extravagant features typical of short-term rentals.

8. Common Mistakes and Best Practices

Jeff identifies key pitfalls for investors transitioning to midterm rentals:

1. Over or Under Investment: Misaligning property investment with tenant needs can either inflate costs unnecessarily or render the property uncompetitive.

2. Assuming Short-Term Success Translates to Midterm: Not all short-term rental properties perform well as midterm rentals due to differing tenant requirements and neighborhood suitability.

Jeff Hurst [22:37]:
"A good short term rental will not necessarily be a great midterm rental."

3. Neglecting Operational Continuity: Even with fewer turnovers, maintenance issues like HVAC problems require a reliable management plan.

9. Market Trends and Top Locations

Jeff discusses emerging markets with high demand driven by data center expansions and housing affordability challenges:

• Data Center Boom: Locations like Abilene, Texas, experiencing significant data center developments, face housing shortages for incoming workers, creating ripe opportunities for midterm rentals.

• "Try Before You Buy" Rentals: Families utilizing midterm rentals to test neighborhoods before committing to home purchases, especially in high-cost areas.

Jeff Hurst [26:29]:
"If more people would invest in quadplexes and duplexes to solve affordable housing, then you would have more affordable housing."

These trends highlight the critical role midterm rentals play in addressing broader housing affordability and workforce housing needs.

10. Room Rentals and Arbitrage Opportunities

Expanding the discussion to room rentals, Jeff highlights their growth and potential:

Jeff Hurst [29:25]:
"We have 60,000 room rentals on our site and so it's a big number. We're probably one of maybe next Airbnb."

Room rentals offer a lower barrier to entry, allowing investors to manage properties more flexibly and even engage in rental arbitrage by securing master leases with minimal upfront capital.

11. Personal Insights from Jeff Hurst

Jeff shares his personal evolution from managing high-maintenance short-term rentals to fostering a more connected and community-oriented midterm rental platform. This shift has broadened his perspective on housing needs beyond leisure, focusing on providing stable, affordable options for professionals and families.

Jeff Hurst [37:34]:
"More people are thinking about renting furniture through Furnish Finder instead of buying, saving money and creating cash-flowing assets."

He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and creative financial strategies, such as renting furniture to reduce initial expenses and enhance cash flow.

12. Conclusion and Advice to New Investors

In closing, Jeff challenges rookie investors to explore the midterm rental market creatively and financially prudently:

Jeff Hurst [39:13]:
"Be creative about how little capital it could take to get into this."

He encourages starting small, such as renting out a room, and gradually scaling up as investors gain experience and capitalize on market opportunities.

Jeff Hurst [40:29]:
"If you're ready to get unstuck and start building wealth through real estate, join us at BPCON."

Additionally, Jeff directs listeners to Furnish Finder’s resources, including their Landlord Diary podcast, for ongoing support and education.

Key Takeaways

• Terminology Matters: Use tenant-friendly terms like "monthly rentals" to align with market searches and preferences.

• Diverse Demand Drivers: Regulatory changes, inflation, and remote work flexibility are propelling the growth of midterm rentals.

• Strategic Investment: Assess market demand using data-driven tools and focus on areas with growing job sectors like data centers.

• Operational Efficiency: Midterm rentals require less intensive management compared to short-term rentals, allowing for higher cash flow and lower operational costs.

• Avoid Common Pitfalls: Understand the unique requirements of midterm tenants and avoid simply transferring short-term rental strategies without adaptation.

Notable Quotes

• Jeff Hurst [01:14]:
  "They're typing into Google monthly furnished rentals or monthly rentals 50 times more often than they're typing in midterm rentals."

• Jeff Hurst [05:08]:
  "Stick with what you know or stick with what you're passionate about."

• Jeff Hurst [15:55]:
  "It needs to be able to sleep comfortably, work productively, cook easily."

• Jeff Hurst [22:37]:
  "A good short term rental will not necessarily be a great midterm rental."

• Jeff Hurst [29:25]:
  "We have 60,000 room rentals on our site and so it's a big number. We're probably one of maybe next Airbnb."

For more insights and to connect with Jeff Hurst, visit Furnish Finder or explore their Landlord Diary podcast.