The 2025 REI Summit brought together real estate investors from across the country to dive into strategies, tools, and trends shaping the future of rentals. For those already operating in the monthly space or just starting to explore it, the conversations offered plenty of takeaways on what’s working, where the opportunity is, and how to stay ahead.
Room-by-room rentals are picking up steam
One of the hottest topics this year was room-by-room rentals. With housing costs rising and tenants seeking more affordable options, investors are turning full-unit rentals into more affordable private-room options. Several landlords shared how this approach helped them boost income and reduce vacancy, especially in markets where full-unit prices are out of reach for many renters.
If you’ve got extra bedrooms and a good system in place for communication and screening, this strategy can work surprisingly well.
ADUs are getting serious attention
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) (opens in new tab) came up in nearly every conversation about long-term potential. Thach Nguyen, who brought amazing energy to the stage, emphasized how ADUs can unlock income in your own backyard. From converted garages to standalone backyard cottages, more investors are seeing ADUs as a low-risk way to expand their portfolio without buying new property.
Travelers love the privacy of a detached unit, and cities are slowly making zoning more ADU-friendly. If you’re thinking about building one, now’s the time to start learning.
Property management is still a sticking point
Whether it was landlords managing remotely or those with multiple units, many attendees admitted that day-to-day operations are still their biggest pain point. From coordinating cleanings to juggling maintenance, it’s a lot to handle, especially without local support.
Some are sticking with self-management by using automation tools and checklists, while others are exploring hybrid models with part-time local help. Either way, everyone agreed that streamlined systems are key if you want to scale without burning out.
Investors are choosing efficiency over frugality
landlords are less interested in cutting costs and more focused on finding tools that save time and improve the tenant experience. Instead of furnishing with Craigslist finds, people are investing in partners like Minoan to make setup easier and more attractive. Instead of chasing down applications manually, they’re using KeyCheck to handle screening and deposits.
The common theme was clear: landlords want to work smarter, not harder.
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Monthly rentals are becoming a smart STR supplement
More investors are looking at monthly rentals as a way to balance or supplement their short-term rental (STR) income. For properties that slow down during off-season or in markets where STR regulations are tightening, monthly rentals are proving to be a reliable, lower-maintenance option.
It’s not about choosing one over the other. Several speakers talked about using monthly stays to fill calendar gaps, reduce turnover, and give themselves breathing room from the high churn of nightly bookings.
Key takeaways from Jeff Hurst’s presentation
Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder (opens in new tab), closed out the event with a data-packed talk on where the platform and the industry are headed.
Some standout stats:
Booking requests on Furnished Finder are up 115% year-over-year
Over 3 million tenant inquiries in the past year
Most demand is coming from travel nurses, remote workers, and relocating families
Cities like Nashville, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, and others are seeing high search volume but have limited inventory
He also gave a sneak peek at upcoming tools designed to improve visibility, engagement, and insights for landlords. Brandon Turner joined the conversation to share what’s working in his own portfolio and how he’s leaning into monthly stays in a big way.
Bottom line: monthly rentals are growing fast
If you’ve been thinking about shifting from short-term to monthly rentals, or want to increase stability in your portfolio, now’s a great time to start. From ADUs to room rentals, the summit highlighted just how many paths investors can take and how much demand is already out there.
List your property on Furnished Finder (opens in new tab) and start connecting with high-quality tenants today.