Ana-Maria turned the 400 square foot casita behind her San Antonio home into $18,000 a year in additional revenue on Furnished Finder. No real estate background, no massive portfolio, no full-time real estate career. Just one extra space, rented intentionally to travel nurses, professors, and military members on monthly stays.
As a single parent working in marketing and communications, Ana-Maria desires to supplement her income and provide for her daughter. In this episode of Landlord Diaries, she shares exactly how the casita became a steady revenue stream, why she chose Furnished Finder over Airbnb (Airbnb would have taken almost 20% off the top in San Antonio hotel/motel taxes and fees alone), and how she has kept a perfect 5-star review record for over five years.
What you'll learn in this episode:
- How Ana-Maria makes $18,000 a year from a 400 square foot casita
- Why she picked Furnished Finder over Airbnb after running the numbers
- The tenant screening process that ended her squatter risk
- How she keeps her casita occupied almost year-round with 3 month average stays
- Why she offers guests first right of refusal at the end of every lease
- The exact review request approach that has earned her 5-star reviews for 5+ years
- How she has connected with tenants who became family, including one guest who left San Antonio with two adopted kittens named Mac and Cheese
This episode is for landlords with an ADU, in-law suite, room rental, or extra space they haven't monetized yet. It's for retirees, single parents, working professionals, and anyone considering the midterm rental space as a supplemental income stream. Furnished Finder connects landlords directly with travel nurses, corporate travelers, relocating families, and academics looking for monthly furnished housing across all 50 states. 83% of Furnished Finder landlords list just one property, and the average landlord earns $15,000 a year. Ana-Maria is above that average, and she'll walk you through exactly how.
List Your Property on Furnished Finder:
https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property
Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings.
Chapters
0:00 Welcome to Landlord Diaries
0:55 Ana-Maria's American Dream as a single parent
1:35 The 400 sq ft casita behind her San Antonio home
3:25 Teaching kids the value of a rental income stream
6:15 From long-term tenant to Furnished Finder
8:25 The tools that made switching to MTR easy
10:55 The squatter that changed everything
12:00 Why moms are booking on Furnished Finder
14:00 Pre-screening tips for landlords and tenants
14:40 Keeping a shared property truly private
16:00 Guest stories: two kittens named Mac and Cheese
18:35 Why conversational screening beats STR platforms
21:40 Supplement your income with Furnished Finder
22:30 Airbnb wanted 20%. Furnished Finder was different.
23:35 $18,000 a year from one backyard casita
25:25 Why she offers guests first right of refusal
27:05 What tenants love most about the casita
29:40 Advice for new landlords with extra space
33:35 Rapid Fire: what she wishes she knew at tenant #1
Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://www.furnishedfinder.com/blog/questions-to-ask-before-moving-in
https://www.furnishedfinder.com/blog/5-questions-to-ask-during-the-booking-process-with-a-tenant
Ana-Maria’s Listings on Furnished Finder:
https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?id=6a3b05c-4a6a-a43-844-8dab88
Topics covered: midterm rental strategy, casita rental income, ADU rental, single parent side hustle, Furnished Finder vs Airbnb, tenant screening, TransUnion background check, 5-star reviews, monthly rental income, San Antonio rental, backyard rental, extra space monetization, supplemental income for retirees, mother-in-law suite rental, furnished rental income
The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.
