Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb and VRBO: Which Mid Term Rental Site Is Best for Hosts?
If you’ve been hosting on Airbnb or VRBO, you already know the rhythm of short-term rentals: quick turnovers, fast-paced communication, and constant guest flow. But what if your ideal guest wasn’t checking in for three nights, but instead three months?
That’s the beauty of Furnished Finder.
In this article, we’ll explore what makes Furnished Finder unique for mid term rentals, who it works best for (both guests and hosts), and how it stacks up against the big names like Airbnb and VRBO. Plus, I’ll share a personal story about friends who use it seamlessly to manage their home while living abroad half the year.
What is Furnished Finder?
Furnished Finder is a booking platform designed for monthly rentals and mid term rentals, not nightly stays. Instead of tourists or quick weekend travelers, it caters to guests who need furnished housing for 30 days or more.
The platform started with a focus on traveling nurses and other traveling professionals: people who need temporary housing but don’t want to commit to year-long leases. Think healthcare workers, digital nomads, snowbirds, relocating families, or remote workers testing out new cities.
Unlike Airbnb, Furnished Finder doesn’t charge booking fees to guests. Instead, hosts pay an annual listing fee (currently around $99) and handle their own screening, background checks, and lease agreements.
How is Furnished Finder Different from Airbnb and VRBO?
Here’s a quick side-by-side look:
| Feature | Furnished Finder | Airbnb | VRBO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay length | 30+ days (mid-term rentals) | 1 night – several months | 1 night – several months |
| Guests | Traveling nurses, remote workers, snowbirds, relocating families | Vacationers, weekend travelers, business trips | Vacationers, families, longer leisure stays |
| Fees | Flat annual fee ($99) | Service fees (guest + host % per booking) | Service fees (guest + host % per booking) |
| Furnishings | Fully furnished expected | Furnishings vary by host | Furnishings vary by host |
| Screening | Host-led background checks | Airbnb handles ID verification | VRBO handles ID verification |
| Best for hosts who | Want fewer turnovers, stable income, and longer-term guests | Want frequent bookings, flexibility, and short stays | Want family vacationers or group travel |
Testimonials: What Hosts Say About Furnished Finder
“I listed my condo on both Airbnb and Furnished Finder. Airbnb brought in quick cash, but the constant turnover burned me out. Furnished Finder gave me a nurse who stayed four months—she left the place spotless, and I didn’t lift a finger the whole time.” — Karen, Host in Phoenix
“I use Furnished Finder for my basement apartment. The guests are usually traveling professionals, so they’re quiet, respectful, and almost never cause problems. Compare that to Airbnb, where I once had a bachelorette party show up unannounced!” — Marcus, Host in Denver
“VRBO works great for my lake house because it’s a vacation market, but Furnished Finder is my go-to for my city condo. My last guest was a corporate consultant who extended his stay from 3 months to 6 months. Stable income, no stress.” — Jenny, Host in Chicago
The Type of Guests You’ll See on Furnished Finder
Furnished Finder guests are usually:
- Traveling nurses and medical professionals on 3–6 month contracts
- Remote workers/digital nomads looking for stability
- Families between homes (buying, selling, or relocating)
- Snowbirds escaping cold winters or hot summers
- Weekend warriors who want a “base camp” near recreation areas
These guests often:
- Travel light, but expect furnished homes with working kitchens
- Need reliable WiFi, laundry access, and parking
- Stay long enough to really settle in (and often treat the home like their own)
The Type of Host and Property That’s Ideal for Furnished Finder
Furnished Finder works best for mid term rentals if you:
- Have a furnished space (apartment, condo, house, or ADU) ready for long stays
- Prefer fewer turnovers and more stable income
- Live in a city with hospitals, universities, or corporate offices
- Don’t want to deal with the unpredictability of vacation guests
The property itself doesn’t need to be “Instagram-perfect.” Guests care more about:
- Reliable WiFi
- A functional kitchen
- In-unit laundry (or easy access)
- Comfortable, quality furniture
My Friends’ Mid Term Rental Experience: Six Months in Canada, Six Months in Washington
Friends of mine split their year: six months working remotely in British Columbia for winter sports, and the other six months back home in Washington state.
Here’s their system:
- They leave their primary residence fully furnished.
- They list it on Furnished Finder with a professional cleaner lined up.
- Guests move in, live comfortably, and move out before my friends return.
Their most recent renter was a dream: they booked all six months just to have a weekend getaway near Snoqualmie Pass for skiing. In that entire time, they only stayed for about 12 weekends total, meaning the house was rarely used, yet my friends collected stable rent and came home to a property in the same shape they left it.
That’s about as close to an ideal guest scenario as you can get.
Pros and Cons of Furnished Finder
Pros:
- Predictable, longer-term income
- Guests are usually quiet professionals
- Low host fees (just $99/year)
- Less turnover = fewer cleaning headaches
- Flexible lease agreements (you set the terms)
Cons:
- Smaller guest pool compared to Airbnb/VRBO
- Not ideal for vacation markets (guests want practical housing, not luxury getaways)
- Hosts must handle background checks and lease agreements
- No built-in “instant booking” system
Should You Use Furnished Finder, Airbnb, or VRBO?
- If your property is in a vacation hotspot → Airbnb/VRBO may be more lucrative.
- If you’re near a hospital, university, or corporate hub → Furnished Finder is a perfect fit.
- If you want passive, lower-maintenance income → Furnished Finder.
- If you thrive on hospitality and short-term hosting → Airbnb/VRBO.
Some hosts even combine them:
- Use Airbnb/VRBO during peak travel months.
- Switch to Furnished Finder during slower seasons for steady cash flow.
Final Thoughts on Mid Term Rentals
Furnished Finder isn’t for every host, but for the right property, it can be a game-changer. If you’re tired of chasing constant turnover or want a quieter, more predictable hosting experience, it’s worth the $99 investment.
Think of it this way: Airbnb and VRBO give you vacationers. Furnished Finder gives you neighbors for a few months. Both have their place, and one might fit your property, your lifestyle, and your hosting goals better than the other.
For more in-depth information about pricing your mid-term rental, take a read of my other article “Mid-Term Rental Pricing Strategies: How to Price for 3–12 Month Stays and Actually Profit.”
Have you hosted guests through Furnished Finder? What was your experience?
