Strategies to furnish STR / vacation rentals?

[Matt Ruttenberg]

Any strategies out there to fund the furnishing of a STR?

I know consignment stores and garage sales are a way to keep it low cost, but any funding strategies if you’re trying to furnish a higher end property?

Adds up quick!

[Natalie Schanne]

@Matt Ruttenberg - there are two common methods to furnishing STRs. The expensive but highly repeatable method is to get a 0% APR credit card for 12-18 months and buy relatively consistent furniture that's trendy-classic, affordable and hotel-like. People will give you high marks for stylish and you will likely get top dollar rental rates for minimal effort but medium-high money. Think IKEA, Wayfair, Amazon (Zinus mattresses), Home Goods decor.

The other method is to actively shop moving sales, especially targeting the most expensive neighborhoods in your area. I like Facebook marketplace and local FB yardsale groups. Your goal is to buy matching high quality bedroom and living room sets from wealthy people at 70-90% off what they paid, usually only 1-3 years ago. You have to skip the sellers who aren’t desperate yet (thinking they can get $1500 for their $3000 sofa) and focus on the ones who just want it gone and the ones who are moving very shortly and are desperate for it to be moved out so they don’t have to pay someone $100/hour to move it. This takes the maximum amount of time but for example I can furnish a bedroom for $200-300 with a full/queen mattress, and foundation/boxspring, attractive wooden or metal bed frame, tall dresser, long dresser with mirror, nightstand. Versus paying $300 just for a new mattress. I might spend $100-300 on a sofa and $50-200 on a dining room table with 4-6 chairs. Like I said, this method takes a lot of time and you can never duplicate it with low effort, which is why most people decide to go with the first method to furnish their Airbnb or VRBO with specific skus and new furniture.