Do You Want to Make the Most of Your Home?
ADUs: The Future of Housing
Is Finally Here
Do You Want To Make The Most of Your Home?
Hey, we’re Framework First. We’re determined to make the most of each and every home. Will yours be next?
The popularity of ADUs have been seen in the 1.4 million accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that are currently in the U.S. (1) The recent changes in laws have allowed homeowner to truly make the most of their home.
You may already be familiar with accessory dwelling units, but maybe have known of them by one of their other names: granny flat, secondary suite, in-law suite, casitas, laneway houses, secondary homes, etc.
With recent regulation changes, ADUs have become even more powerful. Now, allowing homeowners to amazing benefits such as…
- Financial security with passive income
- Providing additional living space
- Increasing property value
- Housing for a family member or friend
- And much more.
What is an ADU?
According to the American Planning Association, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is an additional residential unit that serves all the necessities of a primary home. They are built adjacent to the residence by either transforming the garage into an ADU or by building the unit entirely separate from the residence, on the same property. (2)
Based on your specific needs, the type of ADU you want to build is very important. There are a few choices:
- An Attached ADU serves as a connected unit to the main house with a separate entrance. The classic example is the garage conversion.
- A Detached ADU is a stand-alone unit built separately from the primary house in the backyard or beside the home.
- Interior ADUs provide expanded units inside the main house built most often in the attic or basement.
- Junior ADUs are only available to those who already have an existing ADU. They serve as a great option for those who want more after adding on one of the ADUs listed above.
Why Have ADUs Become so Popular?
Accessory dwelling units provide several benefits to homeowners while also creating a solution to affordable housing. These are some of the benefits that homeowners can have with ADUs.
ADUs create financial Security
ADUs work as an source of financial security by adding value to your existing property and always providing the option to create a rental unit, which can rented out for monthly passive income. Adding living space to your home offers an opportunity for you, your family members, friends and even a future renter.
You may want to own an ADU for personal use, but during economic downfalls, people will always be looking for a place to live and your ADU can provide just that.
The most popular approach to accessory dwelling units is to use them as a reliable source for generating passive income. Often times, real estate investors will add ADUs to their existing properties to increase the amount of rental income they receive each month – so, instead of just one renter per property, they can now have more.
With ADUs, every homeowner can become make passive income using their existing real estate. And, the larger your property, the greater the chance that you won’t even notice your new neighbor. This allows homeowners to have a home that actually makes them money instead of just costing them money.
ADUs Offer a Private Living Space
According to the Realtor Study, only 2% of millennials can pay for the city’s median home. (3) Which makes ADUs one of the best living spaces for students and those building their careers. This secondary suite creates affordable housing that actually feels safe for those looking for a location to live.
Also, for homeowners looking to spend more time with their elderly parents and loved ones, ADUs serve as the perfect space. It provides accessibility to one another while also providing a completely separate home – say goodbye to the idea of a nursing home. A 2018 survey by AARP reveals a consensus for ADUs by adults to help out their relatives and friends live within a reachable space. (4)
ADUs Increase Property Value
An ADU comes with many benefits with multiple features, while also simultaneously increasing the resale value of your property. With that said, ADUs are great for any homeowner looking to make the most of their home. As most of the money that it takes to build the ADU will be put into the property value when the property is sold. Making ADUs a great investment for all homeowners that can afford one.
ADUs Provide A Space for Artists & Professionals
Perhaps you’re starting a business, an aspiring artist or someone who really wants a one-of-a-kind home office, ADUs serve as a great workspace. Professionals can create their ideal home studio without having to sacrifice a room or their time commuting somewhere. It is worth mentioning with the world promoting more and more home-based opportunities and more people needing a place to live, making ADUs more and more popular and affordable.
A research study indicates that accessory dwelling units could add up to over half of California’s new development in the upcoming years. (5)
ADUs are Sustainable
Covering all aspects of ADUs, the durability and sustainability of one may not be the first thought that crosses your mind. However, ADUs guarantee a sustainable and environmentally-friendly living space, as by new regulations. It considers conservation by means of solar panels and by optional use of recycled materials. Some ADUs are even built in factories, reducing the amount of wasted materials in the process. (6)
The importance and demand for ADUs have increased significantly in many countries as well
Understanding the basics of ADU requirements
Before you begin your ADU project, it is vital to make sure your property is feasible for an ADU:
- Look up local building codes for ADU construction and possible zoning codes for the ADU size and location.
- Requesting permits to abide to the rules and regulations of local building codes.
- If you immediately plan to rent your ADU out, you may want to research details about occupancy rules and rental regulations.
- The cost budget mainly depends upon your investment strategy and choice of ADU design and size. Consider it to be a complete home which shares the same amount of planning and budgeting as adding a new addition onto your home or buying a new home – but at a fraction of the price.
In Conclusion
ADUs serve as an enormous asset that adds value to your existing property. The first step to building your ADU is a feasibility study, which will tell you everything you need to know about your property, regulations, and requirements. Next, would be to decide which type of ADU is the one right for you. And, how large can it be?
If you are building an ADU strictly for the rental aspect or establishing it as your ideal workspace, it is best to build a detached ADU over an attached one – it tends to be the most comfortable option.
Although, if the goal of building an ADU is to expand the space of your main house while creating additional living space for a close family member, you may want to consider an attached ADU.
Regardless, accessory dwelling units offer outstanding benefits for all homeowners, whether it is providing financial security, helping someone have an affordable living space, housing a loved one, or making it easier for everyone to have access to comfortable housing, they are a great investment.
About Framework First
Meet our co-founder, Cathy Canales! Cathy started Framework First because she wanted to help homeowners make the most of their homes, especially with ADUs.
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- October 22, 2021
- 8:05 pm
- 4 Comments
4 thoughts on “ADUs: The Future of Housing is Finally Here”
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