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After a divorce left him juggling a second mortgage and alimony payments, one Florida homeowner decided to look at his house differently.
Instead of picking up a second job, he sealed off part of his home, added a Murphy bed, a TV and a small kitchenette, and listed it on Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB). A few months later, he says the move changed everything.
“I spend 30 mins cleaning between guests and that’s it,” he wrote in a recent Reddit post that quickly gained traction. “Been sold out for three months straight since then and completely covering my alimony.”
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The space is about 300 square feet and was once part of a converted garage that already had plumbing. He built a wall and door to create separation, added countertop appliances and created a private entrance.
He lives about a mile from downtown and a few miles from several beaches in a coastal Southwest Florida town. That location has helped drive steady demand, especially during peak tourist season.
According to a screenshot he shared, he had $2,907.09 in scheduled payouts, including two separate payouts above $800. He said he is averaging about $2,250 per month after fees and taxes.
For now, that income covers his alimony. “It’s the easiest money I’ve ever made,” he wrote, though he expects bookings to slow when tourist season ends in April or May.
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Not everyone in the comment section agreed that this qualifies as passive income. Several critics pointed out that he is still cleaning the space himself.
Others pushed back, arguing that no income stream is truly hands-off. “There are absolutely zero income sources that are 100% passive,” another person responded.
The cleaning debate became its own subplot. Some readers were skeptical that 30 minutes was enough time to properly prepare the unit. The homeowner clarified that he rotates spare sheets, mops the floors, scrubs the toilet and wipes down counters. “Most guests so far have done a great job cleaning before leaving,” he added.
Hospitality workers chimed in to say that hotel room turnovers often happen in 20 to 30 minutes, and experienced Airbnb hosts warned that cleanliness is critical, since one bad review can hurt bookings.
Beyond the passive income debate, the post tapped into something deeper: using what you already own to stabilize your finances. Instead of letting unused square footage sit empty, he turned it into income that covers a fixed expense.
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For individuals who appreciate the idea of rental income but prefer not to manage guests, cleaning, or local regulations, platforms like Arrived provide an alternative option. Arrived lets you invest in shares of rental properties for as little as $100, providing the potential for monthly rental income and long-term appreciation without the hassles of being a landlord.
In the end, the Florida homeowner’s approach is simple. He used space he already had, put in modest work and created a stream of income that eases post-divorce pressure.
Whether you call it passive income or a side hustle, for him, the math works.
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This article He Turned Part Of His Florida Home Into An Airbnb After The Divorce. Now He Says It’s The Easiest Money He’s Ever Made And It Pays The Alimony originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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