California woman built a $200K greenhouse in her backyard — now it brings in $24K a month: ‘I knew what I was doing’

So when it went up for sale in 2024, Rea didn’t spend much time debating whether she wanted it. She and her husband bought it for about $1 million, closing escrow while they were on a family trip to Switzerland.

However, their mortgage carries an interest rate of nearly 8%, with monthly payments sitting at an eye-watering $7,000. But with no desire for the 9-to-5 grind, the couple’s solution was to build a greenhouse in the backyard and turn it into a rental space for photo shoots and small private events.

The project cost almost $200,000. Today, it brings in an average of $24,000 a month, according to Rea, 37, who spoke with Business Insider in an interview published Nov. 7.

She and her husband, who share three children, are now working on plans to build more greenhouses using her original design.

A $200,000 greenhouse instead of a $600,000 ADU

Rea and her husband had owned several properties around Southern California, including a home in Carlsbad. The couple had also run a wedding venue, which they eventually sold. After buying the Vista property, they started renting out the house and backyard on Airbnb while they figured out what to do with the space.

One possibility was building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to rent out, but it didn’t take long for that idea to lose its appeal. A contractor told them a three-bedroom, two-bath unit would cost $500,000 to $600,000 to build, including permits, and could rent for about $3,500 a month.

That was a big investment for the rental income it might bring in — and with three young kids at home, Rea wasn’t keen on having tenants living in their backyard.

“I previously worked in the wedding industry and have a pretty good idea of what people are looking for,” she told Business Insider. “In Southern California, there are many beautiful venues, but not a lot that are small and intimate.”

She had also been saving greenhouse ideas on Pinterest for about 10 years. After getting a quote from a company in England that was well beyond their budget, she sketched out her own design and brought in a friend who was a welder to help build it.

People— who also recently interviewed Rea — reported that a construction company had quoted more than $250,000 for the project. Rea didn’t like its proposed designs, either, so she decided to draw up her own plans.

The finished greenhouse included electrical work, flooring and a fireplace. Construction took about 10 months and cost just under $200,000.

The setting was arguably the biggest selling point. Tucked down a hill, the greenhouse has seasonal creeks on either side, large trees all around and a winding path lined with about 150 French lavender plants. Inside, the all-glass structure has 12-foot ceilings, travertine floors, a limestone fireplace and tall arched double doors.

Photo shoots and intimate events are the bread and butter

Rea told Business Insider that the greenhouse now earns an average of $24,000 a month from rentals. Photo shoots and content-creation sessions make up the bulk of the business, while smaller-scale private events bring in some of the highest fees.

The couple hosts about 10 to 15 intimate events a year, including rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and baby showers. They’ve also hosted marriage proposals and small wedding receptions.

When they first opened, they charged $3,000 for a day rental. Now, the minimum price for an event is $7,500. Photo shoots start at $375 an hour, according to Business Insider.

That pricing reflects the type of space Rea was trying to create. A large wedding venue can come with substantial food and beverage minimums, making it difficult for someone planning a small gathering to justify the expense.

Rea saw an opening for people who wanted somewhere special without booking a traditional wedding venue. And the smaller bookings have another advantage. Photoshoots and content-creation sessions can bring in good money without requiring the same level of preparation as an event.

Rea also has more control over how much business she takes on. She told People that she turns down about 80% of inquiries, partly to maintain a balance between running the venue and raising her children.