i rent a furnished 3 br, 3.5 bath, penthouse apt in SD. i didn't buy it for cheap although i got a good deal. i didn't furrnish it cheap. i advertise only on DR1 and i turn away more than accept. my monthly maintainence is not cheap, nor is the light bill, cable, internet, and local phone, all included in the rent. the last idiot inquire said that he never pays a damage deposit, wonder where he's sleeping? not my place. most of my guests are repeats and they are doctors, executives, engineers, etc. they never question the rent and they never see an ant or roach............you get what you pay for.
Short term rentals are a different ball game and not really relevant in this thread.