How long does it take for an industry to reinvent itself? Some sectors move over decades. Others face pressure that forces immediate change.
Housing and hospitality have lived through multiple reinventions. Every now and then, one of the unknowns, the hidden gems, transforms enough to become a leading player in the industry.
For years, people viewed the midterm rental segment as a focused service for a narrow group, mainly traveling nurses and physicians. It served a real need, but it stayed in the background.
The pandemic changed the context and disrupted every operator. Many businesses closed. Even so, the midterm segment expanded during a difficult period and found a larger audience.
Today’s conversation looks at how a key player in the sector survived and grew during a period of disruption.
STR Global Unlocked Podcast | Episode 10
EPISODE 10 WITH COO CAMI NARINO AND CEO JEFF HURST FROM FURNISHED FINDER
Needs and demands shift over time, and the ability to respond shapes long term success, even when defining your identity feels difficult. The midterm rental sector lived through this process.
It landed in a void. Midterm rentals were not short stays of 30 days or less or yearly leases. Sitting between both categories gave the sector a steady reputation for serving a niche need.
The data reinforced that perception. For years, most midterm rentals served medical professionals. Furnished Finder followed the same pattern. At one point, traveling nurses represented 75 percent of its client base. Large scale growth seemed unlikely.
The question then becomes clear. How did this company grow from a limited number of listings to more than 300,000 listings across the United States, supplied mainly by independent landlords offering flexible housing? They adapted to new patterns in demand.
The pandemic created pressures no one expected, and the current affordability crisis adds new layers to the challenge. Many people are reassessing how they live. Relocating families now represent the fastest growing category in the segment.
Simon Lehmann, CEO of AJL Atelier, leads this detailed look at the evolution of the midterm rental industry with Cami Narino, Chief Operating Officer, and Jeff Hurst, Chief Executive Officer at Furnished Finder.
Cami and Jeff describe how healthcare professionals remain important, but the customer base is broader than ever. Relocating families and individuals bring needs that reflect the diversity of the sector.
In this conversation, we discuss:
How midterm rentals moved from being the dark horse in housing and hospitality to becoming a key category as demand shifted beyond traditional stays.
Why independent landlords supply most of the midterm rental inventory and why their units behave differently from STR inventory.
What separates midterm rentals from short term stays in operational rhythm, guest expectations, and pricing stability.
Why instant booking is not ideal for this category and how Furnished Finder scaled from 20,000 listings to more than 300,000 through a marketplace model.
How longer stays introduce higher risk, which makes screening, verification, and trust and safety essential for guests and property owners.
Midterm rentals can become stronger investment opportunities when people understand that the focus is not leisure. The motivation is personal.
🎧 This week's episode of STR Global Unlocked features CEO Jeff Hurst and COO Cami Narino on LinkedIn to learn more about Furnished Finder.
Exclusive offer for STR Global Unlocked listeners: Use code UNLOCKED10 for 10 percent off a new Furnished Finder listing.
Key STR Trends
INDUSTRY CHECK-IN
Artificial intelligence is here to stay and many sectors benefit from it. Renters already use it to their advantage, as this expert explains.
So, how do property managers apply it in a way that supports their work?
Property management involves a large number of variables. Every guest behaves differently, every city has strengths and weaknesses, and every owner brings specific expectations. You also face unexpected damage and repairs.
Source: Taazaa
AI does not need to replace every task. Several experts point out that it could take over some tasks.
One of the most useful applications is lead discovery and prequalification. This creates a smoother process for managers and prospective residents.
Maintenance also gains efficiency with AI. It works as an intermediary for repair requests and provides maintenance teams with context on previous work and resident history. In some cases, this context solves issues without sending staff on site.
Weekly News
WORTH A READ
Stay on top of the industry. Each issue brings you key insights, major headlines, and the latest tech shaping travel and short-term rentals.
Maui advances against STR
A prime tourist destination, Maui is moving forward with major steps to eliminate short term rentals. How will this shape the second most visited island in Hawai'i?
Guesty launches AI agent
Short term rental operators face constant pressure to find software that handles the majority of their operational needs. Has Guesty delivered the answer?
Airbnb invests $1.3 million in Houston
Houston expects a surge in visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city also wants infrastructure that creates long term value. Airbnb is supporting this goal by funding a critical trail.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In the past, many viewed the midterm rental sector as small and so defined that growth seemed limited. That perception no longer applies.
Global dynamics reshaped demand in this segment, and those who respond to these shifts have room to grow.
The path forward starts with understanding the core differences between midterm rentals and every other category.
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