Furnished Finder vs Airbnb for Landlords: Why Property Owners Choose Furnished Finder

If you own rental property near a hospital, you’ve probably wondered about renting to travel nurses. They make ideal tenants—steady income, professional backgrounds, and typically away at work for 12-hour shifts. But which platform should you list on?

I’ve been renting to travel nurses for seven years, and I started on Airbnb. After two years, I switched my properties to Furnished Finder. Here’s why—and why many other landlords are making the same choice.

Furnished Finder vs Airbnb: Quick Cost Comparison for Landlords

Why Landlords Choose Furnished Finder Over Airbnb

1. Lower Total Costs (Yes, Really)

Airbnb is “free to list,” but that’s misleading. They take 3% of every booking you receive. For a travel nurse property, this adds up fast.

Cost Comparison Over 1 Year:

Airbnb:

• 4 travel nurse bookings per year
• Average booking: $1,500/month x 3 months = $4,500
• Total revenue: $18,000
• Airbnb host fee (3%): $540/year
• Plus your guests pay 12-15% service fee (affects your competitiveness)

Furnished Finder:

• Listing fee: $99/year (flat)
• Per-booking fee: $0
• Total cost: $99/year

You save $441/year on platform fees alone. And because your guests aren’t paying a 15% service fee, you can charge slightly higher rent while still being competitive.

2. Furnished Finder Free Posting: How It Works

Let me clarify something that confuses many landlords: Furnished Finder does cost $99/year to list, but many landlords call this “basically free” compared to Airbnb’s ongoing percentage fees.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Listing cost: $99/year per property
• Additional booking fees: $0
• Guest fees: $0
• Renewal: $99/year

For a property renting at $1,500/month, your $99 annual fee equals one day’s rent. Compare that to Airbnb taking $540+ from your annual revenue.

3. Better Tenants with Longer Stays

This is the big one. Travel nurses are exceptional tenants:

Why Travel Nurses Make Great Tenants:

• Verified employment (hospitals do background checks)
• Steady income ($2,000-4,000+/week)
• Professional licenses (accountability)
• Working 36-48 hours/week (rarely home)
• Staying 3-6 months (low turnover)
• Clean backgrounds (healthcare requirements)

Airbnb Guest Reality:

• Unverified income
• 2-7 day average stays
• High turnover (constant cleaning, check-ins)
• Party risk on weekends
• More wear and tear
• Review anxiety

4. Less Work, Less Stress

The operational difference is night and day.

Managing an Airbnb (Per Year):

• 50+ check-ins and check-outs
• 50+ cleanings to coordinate
• Constant guest communication
• Review management
• Dynamic pricing adjustments
• Dealing with complaints
• Restocking supplies constantly

Managing a Furnished Finder Property (Per Year):

• 4-6 tenant turnovers
• 4-6 cleanings
• Minimal communication (nurses are busy)
• Professional, straightforward tenants
• Set monthly rate
• Few issues (they’re healthcare professionals)

I went from spending 10+ hours/week managing my Airbnb to about 2 hours/month on Furnished Finder. That time savings alone is worth thousands.

5. Predictable Income

Travel nurse leases typically run 13 weeks (matching their assignments). This gives you:

• Predictable cash flow — Know your income 3 months ahead
• Fewer vacancies — Nurses often extend or book ahead
• Easier planning — Schedule maintenance between tenants

Airbnb income fluctuates with seasons, events, and competition. One slow month can wipe out several good months of profit.

Furnished Finder vs Airbnb Listing Costs: Full Breakdown

Airbnb Fee Structure for Hosts

Hidden costs:

• Professional photography ($100-300)
• Higher cleaning costs (more turnovers)
• Supplies (toiletries, coffee, etc.)
• Smart locks, keypad changes
• Time spent on guest management

Furnished Finder Fee Structure

Included in $99:

• Unlimited listing updates
• Direct tenant communication
• No booking fees ever
• Access to travel nurse pool

Real Numbers: 1 Property, 1 Year

Scenario: 2BR furnished apartment renting for $1,600/month

Airbnb Route:

• 4 travel nurse bookings, 3 months each
• Gross revenue: $19,200
• Host fees (3%): -$576
• Extra cleaning costs (20 additional turnovers if mixing short-term): -$1,500
• Supplies: -$400
• Net revenue: $16,724
• Hours spent: 400+

Furnished Finder Route:

• 4 travel nurse bookings, 3 months each
• Gross revenue: $19,200
• Listing fee: -$99
• Cleaning (4 turnovers): -$400
• Supplies: -$100
• Net revenue: $18,601
• Hours spent: ~50

Furnished Finder wins by $1,877/year and saves 350+ hours.

How to Get Started on Furnished Finder

Step 1: Create Your Listing

Sign up at FurnishedFinder.com and create a property listing with:

• Clear photos (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living area, exterior)
• Detailed description mentioning proximity to hospitals
• Monthly rate (travel nurses think in monthly, not nightly)
• Included amenities (WiFi, utilities, parking)
• Lease terms (flexible for 13-week assignments)

Step 2: Highlight Travel Nurse-Friendly Features

Travel nurses look for:

• Proximity to hospitals (list names and distances)
• Full kitchen (they cook to save money)
• Washer/dryer (essential for scrubs)
• Good WiFi (streaming after long shifts)
• Quiet neighborhood (day sleepers exist)
• Flexible lease (13-week standard)
• Parking (many drive to assignments)

Step 3: Set Competitive Pricing

Research your area on Furnished Finder to see comparable rates. Generally:

Rates vary significantly by location. Properties near major medical centers command premium pricing.

Step 4: Screen Tenants Properly

Even though travel nurses are generally excellent tenants, still verify:

• Current nursing license (check state board of nursing)
• Employment verification (agency or hospital)
• References from previous landlords
• Basic background check

Most travel nurses are happy to provide this documentation—they’re professionals who understand verification.

Common Questions from Landlords

Is Furnished Finder free for landlords?

No, there’s a $99/year listing fee. However, there are no per-booking fees, making it much cheaper than Airbnb’s 3% commission over time.

Why would landlords choose Furnished Finder over Airbnb?

The main reasons: lower total costs, better tenants (travel nurses), longer stays (3-6 months), less management work, and more predictable income. You trade Airbnb’s short-term tourists for professional healthcare workers on 13-week assignments.

How much do landlords make renting to travel nurses?

Properties rented to travel nurses typically earn $1,000-2,500/month depending on location and size. Near major hospitals in high-cost cities, rates can exceed $3,000/month.

Are travel nurses good tenants?

Yes, generally excellent. They have verified income, professional backgrounds, work long hours (minimal property use), and keep places clean. Most landlords who try renting to travel nurses never go back to traditional tenants.

Can I list on both Furnished Finder and Airbnb?

Yes, but manage calendars carefully to avoid double-booking. Many landlords list on both initially, then focus on Furnished Finder once they experience the difference in tenant quality and workload.

When Airbnb Might Still Make Sense

To be fair, Airbnb isn’t always wrong:

• Tourist destinations where short stays are the norm
• Seasonal markets where 3-month leases are hard to fill
• Luxury properties targeting high-end vacationers
• Properties far from hospitals with limited travel nurse demand
• Maximizing peak season rates during events

But if you’re near a hospital and want consistent, low-maintenance income? Furnished Finder wins.

The Bottom Line for Landlords

After seven years of renting to travel nurses, here’s my honest advice:

Choose Furnished Finder if you want:

• Lower platform costs ($99/year vs. 3% per booking)
• Professional tenants with verified income
• Longer stays with less turnover
• Predictable, hands-off income
• More free time

Stick with Airbnb if you want:

• Maximum flexibility on stay lengths
• Tourist/vacation rental market
• Dynamic pricing during peak seasons
• Properties not near hospitals

For most landlords near medical facilities, Furnished Finder is the smarter play. The numbers don’t lie—lower costs, better tenants, less work, more profit.

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Related Resources for Travel Nurses

Looking for housing? Check out these guides:

• Furnished Finder for Travel Nurses
• Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb: Renter’s Guide
• Travel Nurse Housing Guide
• Housing Stipend Calculator