An ADU or Accessory Dwelling Unit is a second self-contained living unit that is attached to your home. Not only do they increase the value of your property, but they also provide a wonderful opportunity for you to be able to rent out the unit and make money from it. They are great because not only can you make money, but you can find a different solution for rental bookings. In this article, we will explore 6 reasons why an ADU is good and 3 reasons why it might not be right for you.
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?
An ADU or Accessory Dwelling Unit is a second self-contained living unit that is attached to your home. It can be used in a variety of different ways, but in general, they are used for rental purposes. They are also great because you can create income when you might not be able to afford it otherwise.
The Benefits of Having an ADU
· You can rent it out.
· You can make money with it.
· It is a great way to generate more income for you.
· It provides an opportunity to live in your property without disturbing the tenants in the ADU.
· It provides extra living space for your family or friends that visit you often.
Increased Value on Your Property
One of the best benefits to owning an ADU is that it increases the value of your property. When you build a new ADU, it can bump up the appraised value of your home by as much as 20%. It doesn't matter if you live in a prestigious neighborhood or in a less affluent area, a new ADU will increase the value of your property.
Access To a Second Source of Income
One of the best reasons to invest in an ADU is because it puts you in a position where you have a second source of income. This means that if your main source of income were lost, you would still maintain your lifestyle and know that you can afford to pay for things like food and shelter.
Opportunity For New Solutions for Rental Bookings
Renting a property can be difficult when the market is saturated with available properties. However, it's still necessary for some people to rent a home. In fact, renting is becoming one of the more popular ways to live in cities like San Francisco and New York City where the cost of living is sky high. One solution for this problem is an ADU or Accessory Dwelling Unit.
A second self-contained living unit attached to your home that provides a wonderful opportunity for you to provide a different solution for rental bookings. If you have enough space on your property, then there's no reason not to have an ADU. It could also increase the value of your property as well if you decide to sell it in the future.
The Drawbacks of Having an ADU
While ADUs have many benefits, they also have some drawbacks. One of the major drawbacks is that if your property doesn't already have an ADU, you will need to get one built. This can be expensive and time consuming, which is why it's not a decision that should be made lightly. It's also important to take into consideration where you live and the zoning regulations in your area. If your city or county doesn't allow for ADUs, then you won't be able to build one even if you wanted to.
Another drawback of owning an ADU is that there may be strict limits on what can be done with it (i.e., what you can use it for). For example, in many jurisdictions it’s illegal to operate a business out of an ADU without obtaining a conditional use permit from the authorities in charge.
The last main setback of having an ADU is that if you live in an area where there are no other units like yours within close proximity, people might think that this type of living arrangement is unsafe and unusual and might not want to rent it out because of this stigma.
Restrictions On Land Size and Zoning Regulations
The first reason why you might not want to buy an ADU is because of restrictions on land size and zoning regulations. An ADU is usually attached to the main house, but if your land size doesn't allow for this, then you are unable to build one! Additionally, if your zoning regulations do not allow for an ADU, then you are unable to build one. Nowadays, these restrictions are less common as there are numerous ways around them. However, it would need to be built in a development- friendly area or through pre-existing allowances.
It Can Be Difficult to Find a Tenant
One of the reasons why an ADU might not be right for you is because it can be difficult to find a tenant. If you live in a place where there is a lot of competition, it can be difficult to find a tenant. There are certain places that have a lot of people looking for rentals and these units might not rent fast enough.
Conclusion
ADUs are typically smaller, detached units that are built on a lot zoned for single-family use. ADUs are sometimes called "mother-in-law" units, "granny flats" or "accessory units." The benefits of having an ADU are that it can provide you with an additional living space, provide an additional source of income, and provide the opportunity for new solutions for rental bookings.
The drawbacks of having an ADU are that there are restrictions on land size and zoning regulations, it can be difficult to find a tenant, and the property owner may be required to pay for repairs.