August 5, 2024

Airbnb vs. Furnished Finder: Choosing the Right Rental Platform

As a property owner, deciding where to list your rental can be a significant decision that impacts your income, tenant experience, and overall satisfaction. Popular platforms for mid-term rentals include Furnished Finder along with sites like Airbnb, VRBO, and Zillow. While all have their benefits, understanding the differences can help you choose the best option for your property. In this post, we will talk about the unique advantages of each platform, and why Furnished Finder might be the ideal choice for your mid-term rental needs.   

Understanding Airbnb, VRBO (Online Travel Agencies or “OTAs”) 

Airbnb and VRBO are two global platforms that have transformed the short-term rental market. They offer vast audiences for short-term rentals.  

Pros & Cons of OTAs like AirBNB and VRBO 

  1. Wide Audience Reach: With millions of users worldwide, these sites give your property significant exposure, although only a small percentage of travelers on these sites are looking for rentals of 30 days or more 
  2. User-Friendly: The platform is intuitive and easy to use with robust booking and communication tools. These platforms do, however, require you to communicate and book through their platform, restricting outside communication until bookings are confirmed.  
  3. Global Recognition: These sites are well-known and trusted. This comes at a price for travelers and landlords, however, with steep booking fee charges of 10-15% or more. 

The Unique Appeal of Furnished Finder 

Furnished Finder focuses specifically on mid-term rentals of 30 days or more. This platform caters to traveling professionals such as healthcare workers, corporate travelers, graduate students, and digital nomads, offering them a reliable source of quality furnished housing.  

Benefits of Furnished Finder 

  1. Targeted Audience: By listing on Furnished Finder, you tap into a niche market of professionals seeking mid-term rentals. No more weekend vacationers or bachelorette parties, but rather the tenants are responsible and reliable. 
  2. Consistency: Mid-term rentals result in fewer turnovers, providing more stability and potentially less wear and tear of your property. The average length of stay for a Furnished Finder tenant is nearly three months. 
  3. Direct Communication: Furnished Finder promotes direct communication between landlords and tenants, fostering better relationships and clearer expectations. There is no hinderance of communication, screening, or using custom leases and protection products. 

Comparing Costs and Fees 

When deciding between Airbnb and Furnished Finder, it is essential to consider the costs and fees associated with each platform. 

  • Airbnb, VRBO, and other OTAs: Charge a service fee to both hosts and guests, which can range from 3% to 20% depending on the rental price and cancellation policies.  
  • Furnished Finder: Landlords pay a flat annual fee of $179 for listing their property, with no additional booking fees or commissions. This results in a very cost-effective option for many property owners.  

Tenant Screening and Safety 

Both platforms offer tools to help ensure safety and reliability 

  • Airbnb, VRBO, and other OTAs: Provide host guarantees and insurance programs, alongside guest reviews, and ratings. While this is true, no background screening of the guests is performed, but rather identity is verified. 
  • Furnished Finder: Partners with KeyCheck, providing comprehensive tenant screening services and background checks, giving landlords peace of mind when selecting tenants for their mid-term rentals.  

Maximizing Your Rental’s Potential 

To make your property more appealing on either platform consider the following tips: 

  1. High-Quality Photos: Invest in professional photography to highlight your property's best features. Check out our photography E-book here
  2. Detailed Descriptions: Write clear and enticing descriptions that highlight amenities, nearby attractions, and the unique benefit of your location. 
  3. Competitive Pricing: Research comparable listings to set a competitive price that attracts quality tenants. You can search here

Why Furnished Finder Stands Out 

While all platforms offer valuable opportunities, Furnished Finder’s focus on mid-term rentals makes it a standout choice for landlords looking to minimize turnover and secure reliable, long-term tenants. By catering specifically to professionals in need of temporary housing, Furnished Finder provides a unique and valuable service that is different from other rental platforms.  

Making the Final Decision 

Deciding between OTA’s and Furnished Finder ultimately depends on your rental goals and target audience. If you are looking for higher turnover and a wider range of customers, OTA’s might be the right choice. However, if you’d prefer stability and a targeted audience of mid-term renters, Furnished Finder is the way to go! Better yet, list your property on both sites to maximize your reach to travelers looking to come to your area! With Furnished Finder, you can take advantage of a specialized market, ensuring your property is consistently occupied by trustworthy tenants seeking mid-term rentals. This approach not only maximizes your rental income but also provides peace of mind with less frequent turnover.  For more insights and tips on maximizing your rental property's potential, explore our other blog posts and resources on the Furnished Finder website. 


Author: Furnished Finder Team