Because whether its an investor looking to short term/fully furnished rent it, or someone looking to make it their primary residence, they are saving tons of time dealing with remodels, and purchasing furniture that they would rather pay more to have it turn key.

Renters insurance is a must on their end, but I would also talk to your insurance company about an unoccupied, furnished insurance policy to protect you, your investment, and the furniture in the unit. 

You'll invest a lot of money in furniture and making the unit look like an AirBNB and it will either be trashed or get horrible reviews and be delisted.

Not included in the financing is the architectual fees, permits and furniture I believe?

I am wondering if it is worth it to hire a designer to pick out flooring, wall colors, layout of kitchen, furniture, etc.

After 4 months, she had already purchased another home on another river, and sold this and the 1 bedroom cottage next door - both of which had great bones, one was partially renovated and both included about half the furniture needed.

When we would replace mattresses we would drive 2 hours south as there is only one crappy expensive furniture store near us, and go to like a Mattress Giant type of place and actually lie down on the mattresses and see which ones were comfortable and pick one and then negotiate the price.

It actually looks weird and awkward to me... the window shadows are still there even though furniture would be blocking the space.

A lot of people see an empty floor plan and have trouble imagining how to decorate it/where there furniture is going to go.  

You can write off the milage on your car to get there, gas, meals, furniture, property management expenses, maintenance and depreciation.