All Forum Posts by: Robin Smith

I use KeyCheck through Furnished Finder, though I should mention I only manage one unit at the moment. It offers state-specific lease templates, which helps ensure you don’t miss anything important. The screening feature includes a “soft” background check—credit report, criminal history, and eviction report—so it won’t affect the applicant’s credit score. For rent collection, KeyCheck uses Stripe, which has worked smoothly for me so far.

Most travel nurses and medical professionals are looking for a 1 bed / 1 bath unit, not just a room, and definitely want a washer and dryer. (I have a mid-term rental and follow several travel nurse social media pages.) So if you have a 4 bed / 3 bath setup, that crowd may not be your target market.

Furnished Finder has a helpful stats page you can check out (landlord tools?) : since it only includes MTR listings, it gives you a good sense of what's available in your area, how many people are searching there, and other useful insights.

Include the internet and utilities. That’s a lot to ask for guests that are only going to be there a short time. MTR is hospitality, and I’d think you’d lose potential guests if they knew they had to set up utilities. You should look into setting up a cap for electric if you have hot summers or cold winters. 

Hi Kyle,

I am a MTR host and I own my property.

1. I used Furnished Finder Keycheck for payments and tracking.  It's easy for me though because my real estate empire is very very small. It charges the guest to use the tool for payments (which I don't like) but it reminds them a few times before rent is due and it automatically calculates late fees if they are late. I stopped using it because I spoke with my guests beforehand and through that communication I trusted them to Venmo or Zelle. I may get burned later, but I screen my guests well.

2. The financial tracking, I just have a separate bank account, with a separate credit card. It will make my CPA like me. He sees debit and credits.

3. I used Furnish Finder for leases because they are state specific.  I don't want to overlook something that should be in my lease for my state that may not be included if I used one I found from a friend.  Its a small fee, but it helps me sleep at night knowing my bases are covered. Maintenance requests involve me telling my husband, "Hey I got a text, fix this." (I told you I was small.) Furnished Finder also has a tenant tracking page, I used that.

4. I list exclusively with Furnished Finder.  I keep my calendar up to date, I reach out to any leads (matched or unmatched) immediately, and I switch up my pictures every once in a while.  This makes their algorithm (activity) put my listing at the top of a search. I have not used AirBnB because they charge fees and I want to be able screen before I communicate.  I have not looked into other programs.

Yes, they need to get up to speed to justify the price increase. The app is horrible. 

I also received this email. My subscription is set to renew in July though. Does the $45 discount apply for next renewal? I don’t see why they would send email to current members.  I joined FF two years ago. Last year it went from $99 to $149. 

@Tanya Maslach "I came away with several neighborhoods in Ohio"

Ohio is on my radar for MTR, specifically rural areas in Columbus/Akron/Cleveland.  Would you mind sharing the locations you mentioned? I'm very new to MTR and investing in general, but I'd like to know if even close to being on the right track!

Well said!

I have been interested in a mentor, too. Not so much for step by step guidance but for "check in" to make sure there's something I may be missing (or have incorrect).  I don't feel like I have anything to give back to a mentor though.  I have no skill, some money, and some time, but it's intimidating offering so little to somebody who would be giving me so much.  It doesn't seem fair that I'm unable to reciprocate on their level.