My family makes an extra $20,000 a year renting out part of our home on Airbnb. We started with a goal to cover day-care costs, but now we've expanded to a second property.

• Jamie LaDuca is an Airbnb host who rents out part of her Massachusetts home and a Florida property.
• The goal was to make enough money to cover day-care costs, and she hit the goal within two years.
• Her advice for new hosts is to start with a property near you and prioritize good customer service.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jamie LaDuca, a 38-year-old Airbnb host in Scituate, Massachusetts. The following has been edited for length and clarity.