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It's not exactly strange to hear noise coming from a neighbor's home. Whether it's a birthday party or a family barbecue, some background noise is just part of suburban life.

But what's happening on Northwest First Court in Miami Gardens is something entirely different.

On an otherwise peaceful residential street, one single-family home has transformed into what appears to be a takeout restaurant.

“There's no drive-thru window, but the orders are flying out the door,” one neighbor, who asked not to be identified, told Local 10 News[1].“It could be in the early morning, around this time. It could be at night. It's constant.”

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Can a savvy home chef legitimately run a side hustle out of their home, or is this an illicit business just causing problems for the community?

Off the books but on the radar

To get a better sense of what's going on, Local 10 spent several hours outside the home and observed a continual flow of customers picking up food.

One man, spotted walking around the side of the house, told reporters he wasn't a customer - just a friend. Still, he admitted he was there to pick up food, listing off items like oxtail, rice and peas, as well as chicken. When asked if the house was operating as a restaurant, he denied it.

“No, it's not a restaurant. It's just a backyard,” he said, adding that the food was not free when pressed by reporters.

Making money on the side isn't easy. According to LendingTree, over 1 in 5 private sector businesses that launched in March 2023 had failed by March 2024[2].

With inflation holding steady at 2.7% year over year[3], it's no surprise some entrepreneurs are looking for creative ways to cut overhead costs - skipping storefronts altogether and finding alternative ways (like running a business in a backyard) to keep the money coming in.

Cooking up trouble

Neighbors say the backyard restaurant's setup includes propane tanks, industrial fans and cocktail tables - signs that this isn't your average weekend cookout. Behind the house, there's reportedly a shed that's been converted into a kitchen, suggesting a much larger operation than what's legally allowed in a residential area.

According to Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, running a food business from a private home is prohibited[4]. This property has never passed a food safety inspection and isn't licensed for commercial use, which are red flags for both consumers and the neighborhood.

“If there is a fire, God forbid, my house is gone,” one neighbor said.“I'm very concerned. It is dangerous right now.”

Property records show the home belongs to Mardelle Gitters, a former restaurant owner whose former business has now closed. While several neighbours claim they've reported the issue to city officials, Tamara Wadley, the assistant city manager of Miami Gardens, said there are no official complaints on file with police or code enforcement.

For now, the operation continues. And while side hustles can be a smart financial move, cutting corners on safety and legality can end up costing more than it's worth.

Read more: US car insurance costs have surged 50% from 2020 to 2024 - this simple 2-minute check could put hundreds back in your pocket

How to make money from real estate (the legit way)

You don't have to turn your home into a potentially illegal business to make money from real estate. There are legitimate and potentially lucrative ways to benefit from this sector- and you don't even need to be a homeowner to take advantage.

For instance, rather than running a side hustle out of your home, you could earn income by investing in shares of vacation homes or rental properties through Arrived .

Backed by world-class investors, including Jeff Bezos, Arrived can help you earn passive income without the extra work of being a landlord of your own rental property.

To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for its potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can invest with as little as $100 , potentially earning quarterly dividends.

You could also invest in the U.S. home equity market – worth $34.9 trillion – through platforms like Homeshares. It's changing the game by providing accredited investors with direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund - without needing to buy, own, or manage property yourself.

The fund focuses on homes with substantial equity, utilizing Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) to help homeowners access liquidity without incurring debt or additional interest payments.

This approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in high-quality residential properties , with the added benefit of diversification across various regional markets, starting at a minimum investment of $25,000.

With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, the U.S. Home Equity Fund could unlock lucrative real estate opportunities, offering accredited investors a low-maintenance alternative to traditional property ownership .

Beyond residential real estate, the $22.5 trillion commercial real estate sector is another investment opportunity you can leverage instead of starting your own entrepreneurial venture.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart , which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions - including how much you would like to invest - to start browsing their full list of available properties .

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[1]. Local News 10

[2]. LendingTree

[3]. YCharts

[4]. floridahealth

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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