# The Rise of Midterm Rentals: Why the “Missing Middle” Is the Fastest-Growing STR Opportunity

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/str-data-lab-by-airdna-5726793/the-rise-of-midterm-rentals-why-the-missing-middle-is-the-fastest-growing-str-opportunity
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/str-data-lab-by-airdna-5726793/the-rise-of-midterm-rentals-why-the-missing-middle-is-the-fastest-growing-str-opportunity.md
Podcast: [STR Data Lab™ by AirDNA](https://stenobird.com/podcast/str-data-lab-by-airdna-5726793)
Published: 2026-01-15T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/airdna2/episodes/The-Rise-of-Midterm-Rentals-Why-the-Missing-Middle-Is-the-Fastest-Growing-STR-Opportunity-e3de2f4
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/1080bf4d8/podcast/play/113756068/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-0-9%2Fe2aba222-3511-c179-68c0-33204f4558c3.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/str-data-lab-by-airdna-5726793/episodes/the-rise-of-midterm-rentals-why-the-missing-middle-is-the-fastest-growing-str-opportunity
Duration seconds: 2760

## Resource

What if one of the biggest opportunities in rentals isn’t short-term or long-term — but everything in between? In this episode of The STR Data Lab , Jamie Lane sits down with Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder and former President of Vrbo, to unpack why midterm rentals have quietly become one of the fastest-growing segments in the housing market — and why so many investors still misunderstand them. Drawing on newly released AirDNA data and Furnished Finder’s on-the-ground experience, the conversation explores how demand for 30+ day stays has more than doubled since 2019, fueled by relocating families, healthcare professionals, construction crews, academics, and a growing need for flexible living. Jeff explains why midterm rentals aren’t just “discounted short-term stays,” but a fundamentally different asset class — with different pricing logic, tenant expectations, and operational realities. From regulation and affordability to investor accessibility and tech gaps, this episode reframes how STR hosts and property managers should think about midterm rentals — not as a fallback, but as a durable, scalable third pillar of the rental economy that’s still early in its evolution. You don’t want to miss this episode. Key Takeaways You Can Apply Today Midterm demand is surging: AirDNA data shows stays of 28+ days are up 138% since 2019 — outpacing short-term rental growth by a wide margin. It’s a different business model: Midterm rentals price closer to long-term housing, prioritize functionality over flash, and often book one stay at a time with frequent extensions. The strongest demand drivers are practical, not leisure: Think hospitals, universities, construction corridors, and suburban job centers — not vacation hotspots. Lower capital, lower friction investing: Midterm r…

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