When making comparisons, realize that you will have to pay for furniture, utilities, and cable/internet.

Utilities, internet, and furniture are all included in the lease. 

Idea 2: Create company #2 that is a furniture rental company (like Cort).

Instead of buying a faux one, look for a piece of furniture you can make into one.

Or that you damaged every piece of their furniture?

Airbnb start up costs: 2,500 (furniture, electronics, kitchen items, and decor). 

People are migrating away and those buildings can sit for years as the growth is not there.Most of store closures these days for retailers are clothing stores, furniture,etc.Things that are not daily needs tend to not do as well.With anything find the asset class you like and then seek out experts in those  to get answers to your questions.I started out with multifamily so also know that space.

I have a gut feeling that prospective tenants who want to live in a small studio usually have no furniture.

Be fully prepared to be the best help possible to a potential client.Build a list of contacts with every possible person you might need help from including locksmiths,plumbers,electricians,general contractors,junk hauling and clean out crews,landscaping crews,handymen,moving companies,furniture staging and rental companies, foreign language interpreters,hard money lenders,and of course....investors who can pay cash fast!!!!

Buying new appliances and furniture from a retail outlet, probably $5000 and on up.