FURNISHED DOESN’T MEAN FINISHED
Have you ever considered purchasing a turnkey vacation rental property?
Maybe you’ve been dreaming of holding the keys to a property that was previously operating as a short-term rental, one that’s got that fast-launch appeal. You want it fully furnished and ready to list on Airbnb with all the promise of instant bookings, right?
For starters, don’t rush this read.
I was actually super curious to see what ChatGPT would say on this topic. Here’s what it spit out:
WHEN TURNKEY IS SMART
It makes sense if:
• The design already reflects a clear, elevated concept
• The listing has strong ADR (average daily rate), not just high occupancy
• The reviews support the positioning you want
• The furnishings are durable and brand-consistent
• You’re buying below replacement value
I was actually totally aligned!
But, let’s be real. The chances of finding a property with every one of these boxes checked is slim to none.
That’s why “turnkey” is relative in my book.
After years of refreshing “turnkey” properties for STR hosts, here’s 2 truths (no lie) about that fast-launch appeal:
1) THE blind spotS ARE PLENTY:
Today I’ll share 5, but here’s the headliner: You may see a fully furnished space with shiny extra assets included, but it’s likely fallen short emotionally. A compelling story isn’t there.
2) EXPECT UNWANTED SURPRISES:
Practically speaking, most of the time, there’s a catch—surprises waiting for you on the other side of the purchase. It may not look like an episode of Hoarders, but under the hood? You’ve got a mini-series.
These two combined, THIS is the kind of sale that’s more commonly on the market these days—because ill-equipped owners are exiting the STR scene (and making room for whole-picture hosts like you).
What comes next isn’t a light refresh. It’s an intentional reset.
Buying turnkey doesn’t exempt you from being a visionary host.
Let’s thoughtfully reposition your turnkey STR for a brighter future.
Because every real estate investment should pay off, and buying turnkey doesn’t exempt you from being a visionary host.
5 BLIND SPOTS TO CORRECT BEFORE YOU RELAUNCH
Strategic shifts that won’t overwhelm—but will inspire
1) THE BRAND VISION GAP
Turnkey Doesn’t Come with Your Brand Story
Your pre-purchase home inspection isn’t going to come with a turnkey vision that’s personal to you. Only YOU can bring that to the table.
The most savvy hosts purchase turnkey properties with a solid foundation they can thoughtfully build upon with authenticity.
It should have potential for a new creative direction, personal touches, and connective tissue that transforms a furnished space into a story-rich stay with longevity—the true fabric of the successful hospitality business you’re building.
2) THE AMENITY ILLUSION
Confusing Features with Experience
Don’t fret about budget constraints. If a hot tub isn’t in the cards yet, don’t just cross your fingers and hope for the best. Let’s stay with that example for a moment, since it’s a common amenity that promises guests restoration and meaningful time together.
But what other spaces in the home can deliver that same value?
I’ll speak from personal experience: turn your lemons into lemonade. The kitchen in our new cabin was small—but cozy can be prime real estate for intimate experiences that draw people closer. Today’s designer spaces are trending more compartmentalized and less open-concept. The theory? People are craving closer connection.
When we bought our cabin and branded it The Ellijay Olive, we got to work creating gentle invitations to linger in the kitchen (also because, hey, food is my love language).
We didn’t just name the bedrooms, we gave the kitchen its own personality. Here’s how we tell it:
“If you want to make memories that stick, we say start in the kitchen. Step into ‘The Olive Press,’ a home cook’s haven. Cook to your heart’s content in our cozy kitchen stocked with foodie favorites like the Our Place ‘Always’ Pan and Fellow coffee maker. The adjoining live-edge wood dining table and wood stove fireplace with mini lounge are perfectly positioned for long conversations while you stir the pot.”
To be clear, it’s not JUST the chef-worthy tools doing the heavy lifting. It’s the layered storytelling details that invite meaningful moments in the kitchen.
The literature in our kitchen isn’t limited to recipes. My favorite design book, Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness sits paired with Sicily: Recipes from an Italian Island.
There’s surprise and delight, too. But psst—don’t tell our future guests we’ve expanded the spice rack with a colorfully curated set of sprinkles. Because celebration is core to our brand story.
You’ll learn more about The Ellijay Olive in another blog soon, but the main idea remains: leave no rock unturned.
3) GUEST COUNT CALCULATION
More Beds ≠ More Value
It’s possible your property technically sleeps 10—but is it truly comfortable? Too many heads in beds can feel like cramming guests in like sardines. Lower your guest count and raise the bar on creating an experience where everyone has room to breathe.
Happier guests yield stronger reviews and organic buzz you can’t fabricate. Less wear and tear, more spacious comfort, and an elevated experience overall—where everyone gets something special instead of the short end of the stick. Win-win all around.
On the flip side, there may be potential for additional comfortable sleeping arrangements the previous listing didn’t optimize. Done well, this can increase both perceived value and your nightly rate.
4) MISUSE OF INHERITED ASSETS
What Comes With the House Can Cost You
Maybe your property came with professional photography.
How you use those assets can make or break your business.
THE BENEFITS? Strong visuals allow you to prove your legitimacy and build anticipation—think a newsletter announcement to friends and family that signals your arrival with confidence.
THE PITFALLS? If you plan to launch a new Airbnb listing, tread carefully when reusing those photos. You run a high risk of being flagged as a duplicate listing. If the previous owner’s listing carries violations, it could appear as though you’re skirting those issues. Unfortunately, you may encounter an Airbnb agent who overlooks the nuance of a legitimate ownership transfer—and there’s no guarantee you’ll win an appeal.
Instead, reshoot the property after your refresh and leverage the existing photo assets elsewhere (social media, Pinterest, newsletters, etc.).
And remember—leveraging your assets also requires thoughtful bedside manner…
5) INHERITED EXPECTATIONS
Your Old Guests May Not Be Your NeXT Guests
If you’ve inherited an Airbnb Superhost listing and want to keep it, remember: reviews lock in expectations. If prior guests rave that it’s “great for bachelor parties,” but you’ve refreshed it into a slow-paced wellness retreat, that disconnect can be costly.
The same goes for acquiring a social media account. Launching with an existing following—even thousands—is powerful. But a refreshed identity also requires a refreshed narrative.
In both cases, be transparent about the pivot—and go gently. Change can feel unsettling, even for happy customers. I highly recommend highlighting your transformation story and sharing the deeper “why” behind your vision. Invite them into the evolution (more on this in our blog “The Airbnb Host’s Launch Guide”).
At the end of the day, as you clean house, you’ll need to prioritize engaging the new guest avatar you’re building for, even if that means gracefully saying farewell to the ones who no longer align.
Taken together, these aren’t cosmetic tweaks.
They’re strategic recalibrations that determine whether your turnkey purchase becomes an overnight success—or a setback.
I LOVE A BOTTOM LINE
Don’t treat your turnkey rental any differently than you would a blank space, because the most profitable vacation rentals aren’t just fully furnished, they’re fully intentional.
Image credits: The Olive Jar,
Brent Fosner, Mountain Mama Ranch, Third Wall Photo,
Rebecca Laurel Photography, Anchor Pictures