The Landlord Diaries

Furnished Finder
  • 4.8 (87)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Landlord Diaries

The Landlord Diaries is a podcast all about Mid-Term Rentals and real estate investing. On the show, hosts and fellow Mid-Term Rental Landlords Kelly Bailey & Katie Lyon discuss topics like investment strategy, property management, and tips for using Furnished Finder to be a top Mid-Term Rental Landlord. By listening, you’ll walk away with creative ways to maximize your real estate investment, create passive income, as well as hear some entertaining and interesting landlord stories. The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, the trusted leader in Mid-Term Rentals. We are the go-to source for millions of travelers seeking monthly furnished housing throughout the US. Best of all, Furnished Finder never takes any booking fees or commissions, and has one simple, annual listing fee for property owners. List your property today! Visit FurnishedFinder.com to learn more.

  1. JUL 7

    Why Travel Nurses Alone Won’t Fill Your Rental – Do This Instead!

    If you think travel nurses are the only game in town for midterm rentals, think again! In this episode of The Landlord Diaries, we welcome Amy Fraser, co-owner of Cottage Real Estate & Rental Collection in Huntersville, North Carolina. Amy’s firm manages 11 high-end monthly rentals primarily targeting relocation tenants—a segment that’s grown 130% year-over-year. We’ll break down why limiting your strategy to healthcare professionals could leave money on the table, and how expanding to relocation tenants, corporate travelers, and digital nomads can drive consistent cash flow. Amy shares actionable tips on HOA compliance, design choices that stand out, and how to leverage Furnished Finder’s powerful tools to maximize your booking pipeline. Whether you have one furnished rental or a growing portfolio, you’ll learn how to diversify your guest pool and build relationships that translate into future real estate opportunities. List Your Property Now on Furnished Finder: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property (Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings) ⏰ Time Stamps 0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries 2:15 Why top real estate brokers invest in midterm rentals 4:00 Positioning midterm rentals as a winning cash flow strategy 5:45 Beyond travel nurses: who else is renting midterm? 9:25 Amy’s first guest: a digital nomad that stayed 6 months 10:30 Building trust and relationships with Tenant Leads 15:00 Furnished Finder’s top 3 traveler segments revealed 16:20 Local industries driving relocation demand 18:15 How relocation tenants can help you navigate strict HOAs 19:20 Saving struggling short-term rental owners through MTR pivots 20:00 Why Class A neighborhoods work best for Amy’s properties 22:40 Consistent design for repeatable success in furnished rentals 27:00 Marketing tips: attract one tenant type without alienating others 29:45 Amy’s favorite Furnished Finder marketing features 31:00 Two easy tweaks to present as a pro host, even with one property 35:40 Matching tenant types to property size and layout 37:10 Amy’s outlook on corporate relocation and monthly rental demand 40:30 Final advice: always pivot and refine your MTR strategy 42:30 Landlord homework: broaden your tenant pool Trending Midterm Rental Resources: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources Amy’s Listings on Furnished Finder: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=amy.fraser   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.

    44 min

  2. JUN 23

    What Makes a GREAT Midterm Rental? Lessons from 5 Stays in One Year

    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 Diaries 2:00 Renting your home while traveling: peace-of-mind passive income 3:00 Why Madison booked 3 Furnished Finder rentals in one city 4:45 What makes a rental “great” vs. just “okay” 9:45 Game-changing landlord tips from a tenant’s point of view 12:20 Madison’s two must-haves before booking any monthly stay 15:10 How Madison markets her property using guest experience insights 19:00 Traveler types you didn’t expect on Furnished Finder 20:45 Top questions every midterm tenant should ask before booking 23:30 What stops the scroll? Listings that stand out on Furnished Finder 26:25 Hosting through a tenant’s lens: Madison’s smart setup strategy 29:35 Self-managing vs. using a property manager while traveling 32:25 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/PMResources Madison’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.

    36 min

  3. JUN 9

    5+ Real Estate Markets That Should Be on Your Radar!

    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 supply 2:20 Booking requests surge 100% YoY: What that means for your cash flow 3:40 Monthly rental tenant types: corporate travel, healthcare, and relocation 5:05 Zillow vs. Padsplit vs. Furnished Finder: long-term housing trends 6:30 New tenant behaviors: earlier bookings, more pets, larger groups 8:45 Monthly Rentals vs. Midterm Rentals: What tenants are actually searching 10:00 4-step method to analyze if your market works for monthly rentals 13:50 What the data tells us: How to spot demand and underserved markets 14:45 Hidden gem markets: Abilene, TX and the data center development boom 17:20 Juneau, AK case study: What demand without inventory looks like 20:25 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 numbers 30:10 How to use the FurnishedFinder.com/stats page like a pro 31:40 Comparing your Furnished Finder listing to Zillow, Airbnb, and extended stay hotels 33:10 Biggest mistake new landlords make with monthly rentals 34:55 Closing thoughts + how to stay ahead of tenant trends 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.

    36 min

  4. MAY 26

    How To Furnish A Monthly Rental Like A Pro (with Minoan & Furnished Finder)

    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-.pdf Get 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 Diaries 1:00 The win-win partnership: Furnished Finder x Minoan 2:15 Jen’s journey to midterm monthly rentals 5:45 Why Minoan is your furnishing secret weapon 7:10 How to earn passive income through your furniture 8:15 Introducing the Minoan x Furnished Finder furnishing checklist 10:25 Why STR furniture lists don’t work for monthly rentals 13:40 Small upgrades that dramatically improve tenant experience 17:25 How Minoan makes furnishing fast and affordable 21:00 Invest now, save later: Furnishings that last 24:10 What belongs in your midterm rental “starter kit” 26:15 First impressions: Why furnishings shape tenant relationships 27:05 The 5 most important furnishings for MTRs 30:45 Design tips for better property photos + pet-friendly must-haves 32:40 Outdoor spaces matter—how to make yours rental-ready 34:35 Start where you are: Furnishing without overwhelm 38:00 Often-overlooked items that tenants expect 42:15 Ready to level up? Download the Minoan checklist now Minoan + 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.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.

    45 min

  5. MAY 12

    How To Keep Over 95% Occupancy with Monthly Rentals, FF137

    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. Looking for a visual walkthrough of Furnished Finder’s calendar, watch this 6 minute video: https://youtu.be/hplTXyzJ7Ik?si=BiaVRTFc1unjXIz6 Highlights: 0:55 Meet Your Hosts: Kelly & Katie share how they built their midterm monthly rental portfolios using a mix of owned and arbitraged properties 3:50 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 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-property (Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings) Host Katie Lyon’s Properties: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=katie.lyon8   Host Kelly Bailey’s Properties: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/mem 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.

    30 min

  6. APR 28

    The Ultimate Monthly Rental Lease Guide, FF137

    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 tools This 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/PMResources Episode Highlights: 0:00 Only 50% of tenants signed a lease in their last MTR stay 2:00 Furnished Finder + Rocket Lawyer: How this partnership is empowering landlords 3:20 Why leases matter for mid-term rentals (yes, even for 30-day guests) 7:00 The 8 must-have elements for your MTR lease 7:45 Lease terms: stay length, payment timing & due dates 9:15 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 simple 15:00 Hot topic: Security deposits & standard MTR fees 18:15 Data point: Average FF cleaning fee is $175—checked our market lately? 19:25 Early lease termination: rules, fees & flexibility 24:30 Pet policies & deposits: What works for monthly rentals 29:15 Amenities, storage, parking—yes, they should be in your lease 31:15 Why random leases from the internet are a legal risk 37:10 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.

    40 min

  7. APR 21

    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/stats List 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 Diaries 2:00 House hacking & room rental benefits for real estate investors 3:00 Who books room rentals? Travel nurses, professionals & corporate travelers 3:55 Pricing & privacy: How travel nurses choose between a room or an entire space 5:50 Travel nurse industry insights: How Mardi Gras impacted the industry 6:35 Midterm rentals vs. short-term rentals: How MTRs benefit local communities 7:20 Location challenges: Why more midterm rentals are needed in rural areas 9:00 Why Furnished Finder? More control over pricing & tenant communication 12:50 The best questions to ask as a host & traveler before booking 14:35 Cancelled contracts & flexible lease terms – tips from experienced hosts 17:35 Considering room rentals? Reva’s top 3 tips for success 19:35 Financial upsides of room rentals & house hacking for monthly travelers 21:45 Managing midterm rental payments through KeyCheck 25:15 Are property showings expected for midterm rental guests? 28:25 Reva’s favorite Furnished Finder stay: What makes a rental stand out 29:50 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.Lewis Host 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.

    31 min

  8. MAR 31

    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-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 Rentals Trending 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.

    33 min
See All (149)

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
87 Ratings

About

The Landlord Diaries is a podcast all about Mid-Term Rentals and real estate investing. On the show, hosts and fellow Mid-Term Rental Landlords Kelly Bailey & Katie Lyon discuss topics like investment strategy, property management, and tips for using Furnished Finder to be a top Mid-Term Rental Landlord. By listening, you’ll walk away with creative ways to maximize your real estate investment, create passive income, as well as hear some entertaining and interesting landlord stories. The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, the trusted leader in Mid-Term Rentals. We are the go-to source for millions of travelers seeking monthly furnished housing throughout the US. Best of all, Furnished Finder never takes any booking fees or commissions, and has one simple, annual listing fee for property owners. List your property today! Visit FurnishedFinder.com to learn more.

Information

  • Creator
    Furnished Finder
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Landlord Diaries
  • Show Website
    The Landlord Diaries

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada