The neighbors even thought it was odd that when they moved out, they still had no furniture.

Well for one, most landlords don't provide furniture for their rentals. 

@John LaVecchia - Furniture is the big STR expense beyond mortgage/rent. 

Offer to give them all the furniture and the Airbnb business that you build up over the next 3-5 years.

We have enough money to live very comfortably next to the richest movie stars, but we really enjoy living the most simple and non-materialistic life a person can live.We live in a commercial building at out plumbing company with concrete floors, raised two children in this building  who now go to college and we own zero furniture.

One agent says I don't need to stage and can use my own furniture.

It has furnitures because I used to have a close friend live there.

But if you still want an increase in rent, throw in some furniture and you can definitely increase the rent, only if there is any demand of furnished units.  

It sounds very profitable and the market sounds very good for mobile homes in the area he is concentrating on,Flipping furniture?  

Those appraisers love to kill sales.Here's some sound advice that will prevent you (and anyone else reading this) from buying a new car/furniture/vacation with your pretend profits before close of escrow; The deal ain't done until the check clears the bank.