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For Crestview Landlords: Should You Rent Furnished or Unfurnished for Long-Term Rentals?
If you're a landlord in Crestview, Florida, preparing your property for the rental market, one key question likely comes to mind:
Should I rent it furnished or unfurnished?
At Kuntz Property Group, we specialize in long-term rental property management across the Crestview area, and we’re here to tell you: unfurnished rentals are almost always the smarter choice for long-term leasing.
In this blog, we’ll break down why unfurnished properties dominate the Crestview long-term rental market, what types of tenants they attract, and how choosing the right rental setup can improve tenant retention, reduce turnover costs, and maximize your investment.
The Crestview Rental Market at a Glance
Crestview is home to a diverse tenant population, including:
Military families stationed at Eglin Air Force Base
Civilian contractors and government workers
Blue-collar workers in local trades
Growing families and relocating professionals
Most of these renters are looking for long-term stability—not a short-term crash pad. According to U.S. Census data, the majority of Crestview rental households have lived in their homes for 12 months or more, indicating a preference for long-term, unfurnished rentals.
Why Unfurnished Rentals Make the Most Sense in Crestview
✅ 1. Attracts Long-Term Tenants
Tenants looking to stay for 12 months or more typically want to bring their own furniture. Whether it's a military family with household goods or a couple transitioning from homeownership, most long-term renters prefer to create their own home environment.
By offering an unfurnished rental, you appeal to a broader pool of tenants who want to settle in—not just pass through.
Pro Tip from Kuntz Property Group: Long-term tenants are more likely to care for your property like their own, reducing wear and tear and turnover costs.
✅ 2. Reduces Maintenance and Liability
Furnishing a rental means you’re also responsible for:
Furniture damage and repairs
Inventory management
Replacing worn-out or broken items
Higher insurance coverage for personal property
With an unfurnished rental, you're not liable for tenants' belongings, and your maintenance responsibilities are significantly lower. This leads to fewer disputes, less turnover preparation, and simpler operations overall.
✅ 3. Lower Turnover, Higher Stability
Furnished rentals often attract short-term renters who may stay just a few months. This creates a constant need for:
Marketing your property
Screening tenants
Deep cleaning between tenants
Possible periods of vacancy
Unfurnished rentals, on the other hand, tend to keep tenants for 12-24 months, if not longer. That means:
More consistent rental income
Fewer make-ready costs
Lower vacancy rates
If you’re looking for passive, predictable income, unfurnished is the clear winner.
✅ 4. Financially Efficient for Landlords
Furnishing a home can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000, depending on the size and quality of items. That’s money you could otherwise invest in:
Energy-efficient appliances
Fresh paint or flooring
Kitchen or bathroom upgrades
These types of improvements offer a better return on investment (ROI) in the Crestview long-term market, helping you attract better tenants and justify higher rent—without the hassle of managing furniture.
Why Furnished Rentals Are Less Appealing for Long-Term Leases in Crestview
While furnished rentals work well in high-turnover vacation spots or urban centers, Crestview’s market trends point toward long-term tenancy, especially due to the presence of Eglin Air Force Base and civilian contractors.
Furnished properties often come with the following downsides for long-term landlords:
❌ 1. Narrower Tenant Pool
Most renters in Crestview already own furniture or plan to buy it. Offering a fully furnished home can actually turn away qualified, long-term tenants who don’t want to store or sell their belongings.
❌ 2. More Frequent Wear and Tear
Furniture—especially fabric sofas, mattresses, and dining tables—deteriorate quickly in rental settings. You’ll likely need to replace or repair items every 1–2 years, cutting into your bottom line.
❌ 3. Storage Dilemmas
Many landlords who offer furnished homes end up needing storage solutions for unused items, especially if a tenant wants to use some of their own furniture. This adds cost and complexity to your management process.
Tenant Expectations for Long-Term Rentals in Crestview
Tenants searching for long-term homes in Crestview generally want the following:
Clean, well-maintained spaces
Modern appliances
Neutral paint colors and flooring
Pet-friendly options
Privacy and safe neighborhoods
None of these features require furniture—but all of them support tenant retention. Instead of investing in couches and beds, invest in upgrades that increase home comfort and appeal to your ideal tenant.
👉 Check out our recent blog: Understanding Rental Market Trends in Crestview for Smarter Pricing.
Optimize Your Long-Term Rental with Kuntz Property Group
At Kuntz Property Group, we specialize in helping Crestview landlords attract and retain high-quality, long-term tenants. Our full-service property management solutions include:
Professional marketing on top rental sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, Realtor.com
Comprehensive tenant screening
Legal lease preparation and enforcement
Ongoing maintenance and inspections
Tenant retention strategies tailored for the Crestview market
🎯 Want to know how much rent your Crestview property could earn?
📊 Get a free rental analysis today!
Final Thoughts: Unfurnished Wins for Crestview’s Long-Term Rental Market
In the world of long-term rentals, unfurnished homes are clearly the preferred option in Crestview. They attract the most stable tenants, reduce your management workload, and offer better long-term ROI.
Unless you’re targeting short-term travel nurses or Airbnb-style guests, furnishing your property is more cost than it's worth—especially when managing multiple units or aiming for passive income.
