When Brenna inherited her late father’s home in West Michigan, she also inherited years of disrepair—and a new title: accidental landlord. With a mantra passed down from her dad, “You don’t pay people to do things you can do yourself,” she poured over a year of hard work into renovating the property from top to bottom. A new roof, new siding, updated kitchen, and endless weekend trips from Charleston to Michigan made the project a personal, healing journey after his passing.
But one area remained untouched: the yard.
Before Gary and Caryn signed on to rent the home for the summer, Brenna was upfront. The house was in excellent condition, but the yard hadn’t been tackled yet. She was clear and transparent about the unfinished outdoor space. As it turns out, that was exactly what sealed the deal. Gary and Caryn saw the opportunity not as a downside—but as a project they were excited to take on.
The retired couple from Florida had been looking to beat the heat and give their dog some room to roam, which is something their Florida condo didn’t offer. Brenna’s fenced-in yard and pet-friendly policy made the listing a perfect fit… and what started as a summer rental turned into a heartfelt transformation.
Gary and Caryn spent their entire stay clearing weeds, hauling debris, and creating a gorgeous walk-through garden filled with vegetables and perennials—plants that would return year after year. They sourced landscaping stones and plants from Facebook Marketplace, often at little or no cost, which seemed to add extra enjoyment to the hobby-project! The yard quickly bloomed into something beautiful, both in appearance and value.
Neighbors took notice. Brenna’s mom, who lives nearby, would regularly drive by and report back that “the yard looks amazing.” But it wasn’t until the end of the summer that Brenna saw the transformation firsthand—and just how much time, energy, and heart Gary and Caryn had poured into it.
At the end of their stay, they left the house spotless: beds made, linens washed, floors gleaming. Alongside the keys, they gifted Brenna a hand-drawn map of the garden to help her navigate what would bloom again the following spring. As a token of gratitude, Brenna refunded their cleaning fee.
It was a small but meaningful gesture—one that reflected her appreciation and the mutual respect they’d built over the summer.
That mutual respect is also at the heart of how Brenna operates as a landlord.
While she does charge a refundable security deposit, she doesn’t require any payment to reserve her property in advance, choosing instead to operate on trust. “If someone’s willing to do a background check and share their personal info, I know they’re serious,” she says.
Gary and Caryn have since returned for another summer in 2025, and booked again for 2026 prior to leaving. Their visits have become a tradition—one their dog especially enjoys. The extra space and cooler Michigan temperatures offer a refreshing break from their Florida routine.
These days, Brenna feels so connected to Gary and Caryn that she can’t imagine changing anything in the house without running it by them. Their care and consistency have earned her trust in a way that goes well beyond landlord-tenant expectations. They’ve even become friends with Brenna’s mom, who lives nearby!
“Small-time landlording is where it’s at,” says Brenna. After years of long-term rentals, and skipping short-term rentals altogether because of the hassle, she turned to Furnished Finder for a better fit. The monthly rental model offered a middle ground: less turnover and more meaningful connections.
Brenna, who now lives in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, operates a pizzeria with her husband. Originally from Grand Rapids, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog Max, digging into home renovation projects, and finding joy in the kind of connections that make hosting feel more human.
Explore Brenna’s property in Grand Rapids: Quiet 2 bed/2 bath w/ dedicated Office minutes to Downtown (opens in new tab)
At Furnished Finder, we’re honored to help create stories like this, where guests don’t just stay...they leave things better than they found them.
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