Accessory Dwelling Units: Why You Need One In Southern California
You may have heard of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) but didn’t know what they were. Let’s go over exactly what these structures are, and why it’s a keen investment you might want to consider…
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What Are Accessory Dwelling Units?
Otherwise known as an ADU, Accessory Dwelling Units are small, habitable dwellings. These can be either attached to your existing home or just on the same property.
They exist in the forms of Apartments over garages, “Mother-in-law” Suites, and converted garages.
If you’re looking to expand your home to create another source of income or add property value, Accessory Dwelling Units are a really good idea!
Why an ADU is a great potential source of income…
Do you own your home and have the extra space? Creating an ADU can help generate income on a monthly or weekly basis, depending on how you market it.
If you live near a college, like UCLA for instance, students always need a place to live. You could rent your above garage apartment to someone for the length of their schooling.
If you have a spacious Mother-in-law suite, you may want to start offering it as a short-term rental. This is great for romantic getaways or staycations!
While in some instances you may be able to use your secondary suite as an AirBNB, watch out. If you live in Los Angeles, you’re not allowed to list any ADU built after 2017. Check with your local city ordinances for all laws before advertising your accessory dwelling unit as a rental.
The rental income you do accrue can greatly help with personal finances. If it’s something of interest, it’s worth the consideration.
I have an elderly family member that needs a space of their own – is an ADU good for that?
Absolutely! Using your ADU as a home for a loved one can be perfect! It allows a sense of independence while being able to easily help care for your family. Many people with parents who have early-onset dementia or Alzheimers, have them live in their ADU.
Can I use my Accessory Dwelling Unit for anything else?
Of course! You don’t need to rent your new ADU in order to add value to your home and property. Many people design their ADU specifically for their hobbies. It’s a great way to get some time to yourself, enjoy the things you love, without actually leaving home!
You can design your own home bar within your ADU and have regular wine and book club meetings. Or, college football night! Add pool tables and games, and create your very own arcade. Or even set up instruments and bring the old band from high school back together! Possibilities are endless.
With proper interior design, your accessory dwelling unit can be fun and attractive. Adding great value to your home and property, which helps when it’s time to sell the house and move to Cabo!
Unfortunately I do not have an accessory space to house a parent or student. It is a great way to supplement income if you do have one.
These sound like a good way to generate a regular income on top of earnings from a job. We have rental properties that boost our income. It really helps.
I could use one of these! If I had room, I’d build one in the backyard for my son who has autism.
I want one so badly! I would love it for my office/studio space.
This sounds like a cool way to invest in housing. I enjoyed learning about this.
This is such a great idea. So useful and a great option to have.
I would really love to have one someday, it will be used, absolutely.
We don’t have ADU, but it’s really cool to have one and it’s a great investment, I agree.
I never knew what these were til now. I think this is a wonderful idea too. I would love to have one myself.
This sounds like a great way to make use of extra space….this would be perfect for our elderly mother. If only we had space to incorporate one!
I have heard of various names for these, but never Accessory Dwelling Units.
I could use one of these accessory dwelling units! It’s such a great idea to have at home.
This is the first time that I’ve heard of ADU but I think it’s a great idea for an extra income.
This sounds like a wonderful way to generate income, I wish I had the space.
This sounds really interesting! I’ll need to look into this more.
This is the firt time i heard ADU. But they’re pretty usable. I can consider this having on my own.
They really add a lot to the property. I would love to have something like this.
What an informative post! I had no idea about it, so thanks for sharing the details 🙂 Love the concept!