The Landlord Diaries

• How To Keep Over 95% Occupancy with Monthly Rentals

  Are you leaving money on the table because your calendar isn’t optimized? In this episode of The Landlord Diaries, Kelly and Katie—two seasoned midterm rental pros and Furnished Finder hosts—reveal the exact strategies they use to keep over 95% occupancy across their portfolios.Whether you’re managing one unit or scaling to 10+, this episode breaks down the most impactful calendar tactics for monthly rentals and why an accurate, updated listing on Furnished Finder is the key to staying booked.Maximize visibility on Furnished FinderAvoid common mistakes that reduce booking potentialCreate booking systems that generate passive income with fewer turnoversPlus, learn how to link your Airbnb/VRBO calendars, preview your listing through the eyes of travelers, and use communication habits that turn inquiries into bookings.If you're serious about reducing vacancy and attracting better tenants, this episode is a must-listen. Brought to you by FurnishedFinder.com, the leading platform for 30+ day rentals.Highlights:0:55 Meet Your Hosts: Kelly & Katie share how they built their midterm monthly rental portfolios using a mix of owned and arbitraged properties3:50 What’s in This Episode: Learn how to master the new Furnished Finder calendar and boost your occupancy rates.4:45 Visibility Starts with Accuracy: Why an updated calendar is key to appearing in more tenant searches.6:05 The Two Core Settings You Must Get Right: How minimum stay requirements and block dates impact bookings.7:30 Real-World Walkthrough: Kelly shares how she manages calendar updates with unpredictable contractor stays.9:10 How to Link Your Calendar: Link your Furnished Finder calendar with Airbnb and VRBO for less manual work.11:35 Calendar Mistakes That Kill Your Occupancy: Don’t forget to block dates, update listings, and never let your account expire!16:10 Pro Strategies for High Occupancy: How to keep your listing visible and get booked even with long stays.17:15 Should You Accept Future Reservations Now? Weighing the pros and cons of booking far in advance.21:35 Audit Your Listing Like a Renter: Ensure your listing is compelling, clear, and includes all the must-have info.25:20 Improve Your Communication Game: Win more bookings with clear, friendly, and professional responses.26:50 MTR + STR Hybrid Tactics That Work: Apply the faucet method or use short-term rentals strategically to fill midterm gaps.28:05 Wrap-Up: Pick 1–2 strategies to implement today- - -List Your Property Now on Furnished Finder:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-propertyHost 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.

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• The Ultimate Monthly Rental Lease Guide

  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-propertyTrending 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.

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• Monthly Stays: How an 8-Year Travel Nurse Earns with Room Rentals, FF136

  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 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.

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• How I Built a Cash Flow Machine with Travel Nurses & Furnished Finder, FF135

  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-propertyEpisode 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.

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• 2.5 Years, 10 Cities: What Makes a Rental Stand Out to Digital Nomads, FF134

  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⏳ 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.

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