Furnished Finder Review: Is It Worth It for Travel Nurses?

Introduction: What Is Furnished Finder?

Furnished Finder is a housing marketplace designed specifically for travel nurses and traveling healthcare professionals. Founded in 2014, it was created to solve a problem that general rental platforms never addressed: connecting short-term healthcare travelers with landlords who understand the 13-week contract model.

Unlike Airbnb, which caters to vacationers and casual travelers, or Craigslist, which is a free-for-all with minimal accountability, Furnished Finder focuses exclusively on the travel healthcare niche. Landlords who list on the platform know that their tenants will be nurses, therapists, techs, and other healthcare workers looking for furnished, short-term housing near medical facilities.

Since its launch, the platform has grown to cover most major metro areas across the United States, and it has become one of the first places experienced travel nurses look when starting a housing search. But is it actually worth using? This review breaks down how the platform works, what it costs, where it shines, and where it falls short.

How Furnished Finder Works

For Travel Nurses (Tenants)

Getting started on Furnished Finder is straightforward. You create a free profile, enter your assignment details (location, dates, budget), and start browsing listings. The search interface lets you filter by city or zip code, price range, pet policy, number of bedrooms, and available dates.

When you find a listing that looks promising, you contact the landlord directly through the platform’s messaging system. There is no booking button like on Airbnb. Instead, you have a conversation with the landlord, ask questions, request a video tour, and negotiate terms. Once you agree on a price and move-in date, you work out the lease and payment details directly with the landlord.

The critical detail: there are no booking fees or service charges for travel nurses. You pay only the rent you agree upon with the landlord. No 14 percent service fee, no cleaning fee surcharge, no platform markup. This is one of the biggest differentiators from Airbnb and similar platforms.

For Landlords

Landlords pay a subscription fee to list their property on the platform. This fee structure means the cost of running the marketplace falls on the property owners rather than the tenants. Landlords set their own prices, manage their own availability calendars, and communicate directly with potential tenants.

The platform does not handle payments between landlords and tenants. This means you arrange payment directly, typically via check, Venmo, Zelle, or direct bank transfer. While this gives both parties flexibility, it also means there is no payment protection or escrow service through the platform itself.

Furnished Finder Features

Furnished Finder has steadily added features over the years that make it more useful for travel nurse housing searches.

Search filters let you narrow results by location, price range, number of bedrooms, pet policy, available dates, and specific amenities like in-unit laundry, parking, or wheelchair accessibility.

Map view shows listings geographically, which is helpful for judging proximity to your hospital. You can see at a glance which listings are within a reasonable commute distance.

Landlord reviews and ratings provide accountability. After your stay, you can leave a review of the property and landlord, and future tenants can read those reviews before committing. This is one of the platform’s strongest features for building trust.

In-platform messaging keeps your communication with landlords organized and documented. This is important if any disputes arise later.

Background check integration allows landlords to request a background check through the platform. While not every landlord requires one, having the option built in streamlines the process.

Saved searches and alerts notify you when new listings matching your criteria are posted. If you are searching in a competitive market, this feature can give you a head start on new inventory.

Mobile app availability allows you to browse and communicate on the go, which is convenient when you are juggling a housing search with your current assignment.

Pricing and Fees

This is where Furnished Finder stands out from the competition.

For travel nurses: The platform is completely free to use. You can create a profile, search listings, contact landlords, and arrange housing without paying Furnished Finder a dime. There are no booking fees, no service charges, and no hidden costs from the platform itself.

For landlords: Landlords pay an annual subscription fee (typically around $99 per year) to list their property. This is a flat fee regardless of how many bookings they get, which is a much more affordable model for landlords than Airbnb’s percentage-based host fees.

How this affects you as a tenant: Because landlords are not paying 3 to 15 percent in platform fees on every booking (as they would on Airbnb), they can often offer lower monthly rates. A landlord who charges $2,000 per month on Furnished Finder might charge $2,200 to $2,400 on Airbnb to cover the platform’s fees. The savings add up over a 13-week stay.

Comparison to Airbnb’s fee model: On Airbnb, guests typically pay a service fee of around 14 percent of the subtotal, plus a cleaning fee that can range from $50 to $300+. For a $2,000/month listing over 13 weeks, Airbnb’s fees could add $800 to $1,200 to your total housing cost. On Furnished Finder, those fees do not exist.

Pros of Furnished Finder

Built for travel nurses. This is not a vacation rental platform. Landlords who list here understand 13-week leases, early morning departures, night shift schedules, and the unique needs of healthcare workers. You do not need to explain what travel nursing is or why you need a short-term furnished rental.

No booking fees for nurses. This alone can save you hundreds to over a thousand dollars per assignment compared to Airbnb.

More affordable for 13-week stays. Because landlords avoid platform fees, pricing on Furnished Finder tends to be lower than comparable Airbnb listings. Our estimates suggest savings of 10 to 25 percent on average.

Direct communication with landlords. You can ask detailed questions, negotiate terms, request video tours, and build a relationship with the property owner before committing. This direct communication often leads to better outcomes than booking through an impersonal platform.

Flexible lease terms. Most landlords on the platform are accustomed to aligning lease terms with 13-week contracts and are generally flexible on start and end dates.

Landlord reviews build trust. The review system helps you identify reliable landlords and avoid problematic ones. Always read reviews carefully before contacting a landlord.

Cons of Furnished Finder

Limited inventory in rural areas. If your assignment is in a small town or a less-popular travel nurse destination, you may find few or no listings on the platform. Coverage is best in major metro areas and popular travel nurse markets.

Landlord quality varies. While many landlords on the platform are professional and responsive, others may be slow to respond, have outdated listings, or provide accommodations that do not match the photos. The review system helps mitigate this, but it is not foolproof.

No payment protection. Because you pay landlords directly, Furnished Finder does not offer the payment protection or dispute resolution that platforms like Airbnb provide. If a landlord does not refund your deposit or there is a payment dispute, you are on your own to resolve it. This makes it especially important to vet landlords and get everything in writing.

No instant booking. Unlike Airbnb, where you can book and confirm a listing in minutes, Furnished Finder requires back-and-forth communication with the landlord. This takes more time and effort, which can be stressful when you are trying to secure housing on a tight timeline.

Photos may not always be accurate. As with any rental platform, listing photos can be misleading. Always request a live video tour to verify the condition and layout of the property. If a landlord refuses to do a video tour, consider it a warning sign.

Furnished Finder vs. Airbnb

This is the comparison most travel nurses want. Here is how the two platforms stack up for a typical 13-week assignment.

Factor	Furnished Finder	Airbnb
Tenant fees	None	~14% service fee + cleaning fee
Monthly cost (typical)	$1,200 - $2,500	$1,500 - $3,200 (after fees)
Booking process	Message landlord, negotiate, arrange lease	Book online (instant or request)
Cancellation	Varies by landlord agreement	Varies by host policy (strict to flexible)
Payment protection	None (direct payment)	Airbnb resolution center
Reviews	Landlord reviews available	Host and guest reviews
Target audience	Travel nurses specifically	General travelers

Bottom line: Furnished Finder is usually cheaper and better-suited for 13-week stays. Airbnb offers more convenience and payment protection but charges significantly more in fees. Many experienced travel nurses check Furnished Finder first, then use Airbnb as a backup.

For a more detailed comparison that includes extended-stay hotels, read our Airbnb vs. extended stay hotel guide.

Furnished Finder vs. Extended-Stay Hotels

Extended-stay hotels offer maximum convenience (no lease, no landlord, housekeeping included) but at a premium price. A monthly rate at Residence Inn or Homewood Suites can run $2,500 to $4,000 per month, while Furnished Finder listings for comparable locations typically fall in the $1,200 to $2,500 range.

Hotels win on flexibility (you can leave with little notice) and consistency (you know exactly what you are getting with a branded hotel chain). Furnished Finder wins on price, space, and the home-like living experience.

If you value predictability and are willing to pay more for it, extended-stay hotels are solid. If you want to maximize your stipend savings and prefer a real apartment, Furnished Finder is the better choice.

For a deep dive on hotel options, see our extended stay hotel guide for travel nurses.

Tips for Using Furnished Finder Effectively

These tips come from experienced travel nurses who have used the platform across dozens of assignments.

Start searching four to six weeks before your start date. The best listings get snatched up quickly, especially in popular travel nurse markets. Set up saved search alerts so you are notified immediately when new options appear.

Contact multiple landlords simultaneously. Do not wait to hear back from one landlord before reaching out to others. Send inquiries to your top five or six options at the same time, then compare responses and availability.

Always request a live video tour. Photos can be outdated or misleading. A FaceTime or Zoom walkthrough lets you see the actual condition of the property, check the neighborhood from the window, and ask real-time questions. If a landlord refuses or makes excuses, move on.

Verify the listing independently. Do a reverse image search on the listing photos to make sure they are not stolen from another site. Look up the property on Google Maps Street View. Cross-reference the address on Zillow or your county assessor’s website to verify ownership. Our housing scams guide has the complete verification checklist.

Negotiate monthly rates for 13-week stays. Many landlords will lower their price for a guaranteed 3-month tenant. You are offering stability and reliability, and that has value. Do not be afraid to ask for a better rate.

Read landlord reviews carefully. Pay attention to reviews from other travel nurses. Look for patterns: if multiple reviewers mention a slow response time, cleanliness issues, or inaccurate photos, take those signals seriously.

Get a written lease agreement. Even if the arrangement feels casual, get the terms in writing: monthly rent, security deposit amount, payment method and due date, cancellation terms, pet policy, and what is included (utilities, WiFi, parking). A simple one-page agreement protects both parties.

Real Travel Nurse Experiences

The travel nurse community is generally positive about Furnished Finder. The most common praise centers around the cost savings compared to Airbnb, the fact that landlords understand the travel nurse lifestyle, and the growing inventory of listings across the country.

Common complaints include inconsistent landlord responsiveness (some respond within hours, others take days), occasional listings with outdated photos, and the lack of payment protection. Some nurses also note that in smaller markets, there simply are not enough listings to provide meaningful options.

Over the years, the platform has improved significantly. The addition of landlord reviews, better search filters, and a mobile app have addressed many of the early criticisms. Experienced travelers generally consider it a must-use platform alongside Airbnb and Facebook groups in their housing search toolkit.

FAQ

Is Furnished Finder legit? Yes. Furnished Finder is a legitimate platform that has been operating since 2014. It is widely used by the travel nurse community and recommended by many staffing agencies. However, as with any platform, you should still verify individual listings and landlords independently.

Is Furnished Finder free for travel nurses? Yes, completely free. There are no fees to create a profile, search listings, contact landlords, or arrange housing through the platform. Landlords pay a subscription fee to list, not tenants.

Can I find pet-friendly housing on Furnished Finder? Yes. The platform includes a pet-friendly filter in its search options. You can also mention your pet in your profile and messages to landlords. Always confirm the pet policy, any associated fees, and breed or size restrictions directly with the landlord.

What if I have a bad experience with a landlord? Leave an honest review on the platform to warn other travel nurses. If the issue involves your security deposit or a lease dispute, you may need to handle it through small claims court or local tenant rights resources. Furnished Finder does not mediate disputes or hold funds in escrow.

Does Furnished Finder have listings in every state? Furnished Finder has listings across all 50 states, but coverage varies significantly by market. Major metro areas and popular travel nurse destinations have the most options. Rural areas and less-popular markets may have limited or no listings.

Our Verdict

Furnished Finder is one of the best housing resources available to travel nurses, and it should be part of every traveler’s housing search toolkit. The combination of zero tenant fees, travel-nurse-specific focus, and growing inventory makes it a clear winner over Airbnb for most 13-week assignments.

Best for: Budget-conscious travel nurses who are comfortable managing direct landlord relationships and want to maximize their housing stipend savings. Particularly strong in major metro areas and popular travel nurse markets.

Not ideal for: Nurses on very tight timelines who need instant booking, those working in rural areas with limited inventory, or nurses who want the payment protection and standardized experience of Airbnb or extended-stay hotels.

Bottom line: Start your housing search on Furnished Finder. If you do not find what you need, expand to Airbnb and extended-stay hotels. But check Furnished Finder first — you will likely find a better deal.

Ready to search? Browse Furnished Finder listings for your next assignment .

Affiliate Placement Notes

Furnished Finder affiliate link in the introduction, verdict section, and CTA
Airbnb referral link in the comparison section
Extended stay hotel affiliate links in the hotel comparison section