I pay my mortgage by renting out my pool year-round and turn it into a private oasis

If your house has a swimming pool, you might just be sitting on a gold mine.Thousands of people are renting out their pools for big bucks on Swimply—an online marketplace for hourly rentals of pools and outdoor spaces.And many are using the cash to pay their mortgage payments and home renovations.Radio host Jim Beach, 57, of Atlanta, is one of those people.“I saw an interview with the CEO, and it seemed like a cool idea to explore,” he says.“We signed up and had a booking in two hours.”He and his wife Megan were surprised how much money could be made—and how fast the money started to roll in.“It kicked into gear quickly,” says Beach.

“We made the most money our first season, because there was less competition.”They’re now entering their fourth season of renting out their pool on Swimply, with the going rate of $60 an hour for use of their beautiful, in-ground pool.Beach reveals that they make $2,000 a month in summer, and $1,000 a month in late spring and early fall.The money has been so good, they even domed their heated pool one winter to extend their season.There was that much demand!The best part of the arrangement is that the side hustle has brought in enough cash to make a significant impact on their lives.“The first time we made enough on Swimply to pay our mortgage payment in full was very exciting,” he says.

“We were very happy.”But it didn’t stop there.Beach says being on Swimply also financed their kitchen renovation.However, this is far from passive income.

Beach says a lot of work goes into this side hustle, especially in the yard.In fact, he said he’d just laid 60 bags of mulch a few days before to get the area ready for guests.“We pride ourselves on lots of flowers, elephant ears, and a perfectly clean yard and pool area,” he says, adding that it takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes to make the yard perfect prior to each rental.

Thankfully, he has some extra hands to help.“We make the kids—who are 10 and...