# Midterm Rentals Offer a Workaround to Short-Term Rental Bans
Cities nationwide are cracking down on short-term rentals, pushing investors toward a middle ground: midterm rentals. These typically span 30 days to several months, offering yields comparable to short-term rentals without triggering the regulatory backlash that cities have deployed against Airbnb-style operations.
Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder and former president of VRBO, points to midterm rentals as the "Goldilocks" strategy for real estate investors. The approach sidesteps many restrictions that major cities have enacted. New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other metros now limit or outright ban short-term rentals lasting fewer than 30 days. Midterm rentals skirt these rules entirely.
The financial appeal is real. Midterm tenants pay weekly or monthly rates that rival short-term booking platforms. An investor might charge $3,000 to $5,000 monthly for a furnished one-bedroom in a high-demand city, depending on location. That rate structure generates annual yields without the constant tenant turnover, cleaning costs, and platform fees that plague short-term operators.
Operational simplicity matters too. Midterm rentals require less frequent unit turnover than Airbnb operations. This cuts down on cleaning expenses, platform commissions (Airbnb and Vrbo typically take 3-16% per booking), and the time spent managing back-to-back check-ins. Furnished Finder has built its platform around this segment specifically, targeting corporate relocations, medical professionals, and remote workers seeking flexible housing outside traditional leases.
The tenant profile also shifts favorably. Midterm renters tend to be professionals with stable income, not vacation travelers. Screening becomes