Furnished STR - time it takes, checklist, buying same items

[Brandi Scharrer]

I know there are a couple of threads on the cost of furnishing a STR and they do appear to vary greatly (size, market, target audience etc.) and I'd still love to hear about cost but some of my other questions for the group are:

1 - If you are starting from scratch how long does it take you to furnish your STR? (ie 3BD, 2BA 1500sq ft)

2 - If you have multiple STRs do you buy similar household items for all of them?  

3 - Are there items that are a must to buy new?

4 - Is anyone working off a checklist? Must have vs luxury items?

Thanks! 

[Benjamin Vail]

Don’t buy used mattresses, buy Zinus memory foam mattresses on Amazon. $300 each, and free (easy) delivery is the best. They come rolled up in a box, vey easy to move! Also, BUY bed bug proof mattress covers for each mattress. Buy platform beds, and don’t bother with box springs. 

With a 1 week lead time on ordering items and shopping, I can set up a 3BR/2BA in about 3 days. 

Buy TCL Roku TVs from Walmart ($120 for 32”, $200 for 43”). Buy the mounts on Amazon. 

I have a list of about 125 items that I start with for each new STR. It includes (Amazon, Walmart, and IKEA). Then for each new unit I try and source some unique items, or good deals used, and replace those items in the list of new items. That way if by day 3 or 4 I haven't found a unique used item, then I know I can get the new item on the list. The kitchen items I just buy the same list every time. It is about $500 for a full kitchen set-up (mostly IKEA).

Obviously if you are setting up a nicer house, then you can substitute some nicer items. At the end of the day though, the $2 glass baking dish at IKEA holds up just as well as the $30 glass baking dish at bed bath and beyond.