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Podcast Hard Money Lenders Books Washington
BlogArrowLandlording & Rental PropertiesArrow10 Things to Consider When Investing in Accessory Dwelling Units
Landlording & Rental Properties

10 Things to Consider When Investing in Accessory Dwelling Units

Aaron Norris
Expertise:
7 Articles Written
home with white siding and two-car garage with room above

As the affordable housing crisis worsens across the country, states like California are considering new legislation to reduce red tape for building accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are also known as granny flats, backyard homes, casitas, or in-law suites. These can be attached or detached structures on an existing residence. It can even be a converted garage that meets state and local health and building codes (junior accessory dwelling unit or JADU).

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California is short three million housing units, which has placed additional pressure on home and rent prices. Several California cities are looking into legislation targeting rent control and vacation rentals. As investors look to create value in a market where finding deals has been challenging, ADUs have lots of potential. The risk lies in navigating each city's current and future approach.

ADU legislation in California seeks to address our housing shortage. It’s forcing the hand of local cities, requiring they make building ADUs streamlined and less costly for homeowners and investors. SB 13 is the latest bill seeking to address a few lingering issues, and investors are watching closely to decide whether this is an investment opportunity of a lifetime or a money trap. If California gets it right, other states will likely follow.

Real estate investors are already incorporating ADUs into new construction, as part of flips, and adding units to existing rentals. Although small in size, ADUs can come with some big headaches, so here’s some advice on how to get started on the right foot.

Tips for Investing in Accessory Dwelling Units

1. Do your homework

Do a lot of homework before building an ADU. Each city has its own approach to ADUs, employing different ordinances and overlays. Some are pro-ADU, and some are not. As another round of regulation plays out at the state level, some cities are only now updating ordinances that should have been completed over a year ago. Also, investors can’t rely on a city’s website for the most up-to-date information, because it’s changing so quickly. It’s forcing investors to keep a close eye at both the state and local levels.

2. Know what you want to build

Get design plans in place and run it through your area’s planning department—preferably before you buy. ADUs are small (400 to 1,000 square feet), but the cost to build them can be eye-popping. This is because they include the two most expensive rooms of a house: a kitchen and a bathroom. Your city may have size restrictions, set-back requirements, and zoning issues that could completely change the cost of and scope of the project.

Manufactured homes can be ADUs. Now that the hurricane and California wildfire demand has subsided, it takes roughly eight weeks on average to get a response. While an investor may find savings on the structure and lead times, mixing a manufactured home ADU onto a stick-built site may cause issues with lending (as in a lender may not include the manufactured ADU square footage in the loan at all). If ADUs gain in popularity, this may change, but you might not want to chance it.

3. Pick a strategy

For rentals, you not only need to know what you can/will build but also who your renter can/will be. Part of California’s pending ADU legislation, if passed, would disallow cities from placing an owner-occupancy requirement from 2020 to 2025. However, after 2025, it’s entirely up to each municipality to decide whether to allow a landlord to continue renting each unit separately. It may choose to force the property owner to rent out both units to the same renter or require one of the units to be owner-occupied. Five years is likely too short a timeframe to recoup the initial investment of an ADU, which may steer landlords away from the ADU strategy.

It’s also critical to be aware that the tide is shifting in certain municipalities regarding vacation and short-term rentals. Some cities are prohibiting them altogether or restricting them to tourist zones at the same time that they are relaxing ADU rules. City councils don’t like to get complaints about short-term rentals from permanent, voting residents. They complain about noise, lewd behavior, drinking and drugs, litter, and traffic. The intent of California’s new statewide ADU ordinance is to provide affordable, long-term housing—not vacation rentals.

If you plan to build and lease your ADU to vacationers or business travelers, double-check your city's rules. Gauge their future commitment to allowing short-term rentals to avoid running calculations on income levels you'll never realize.

4. Call the local planning department

Connecting with the planning department where you want to build is vital in establishing what’s possible. They’ll have the latest ADU rules and inform you (hopefully) on upcoming changes. Ask about impact, utility, and other fees. Some cities have no fees while others are upward of $50,000! If the jurisdiction is unfriendly toward ADUs, they may make your life very difficult.

While on location or on the call, ask about any incentives for affordable housing, homelessness initiatives, or additional resources for ADUs. Some cities like Los Angeles have raised millions to address its growing homelessness issue. Some cities, like Encinitas, already have pre-approved ADU plans that get you fast-tracked through the permitting process. You never know what might be available until you ask.

Related: 6 Different Ways to Hack Your Housing (Find One That Works for You!)

5. Talk to the utility

It’s not always the city that will grind your project to a halt. Are there power lines overhead where you want to build an ADU? If so, you may end up in a year-long battle between a utility and a city still trying to figure out who is responsible for injury or death in the case of fallen power lines. Keep in mind that different utilities may serve different areas, too—even within the same city.

Don’t forget to ask about utility incentives or rebates for energy efficiency upgrades. In some instances, you may be able to get money back on energy-efficient appliances, roofing, insulation, windows, toilets, and landscaping. If you’re renovating the primary structure as part of a flip, you may get rebates for both structures.

6. Check for NIMBYs

Call the local elected official that represents the area where you want to build as a backup plan to the planning department. Does the community support ADUs or is there a strong “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) sentiment? Worse yet could be a “build absolutely nothing near anything” (BANANA) sentiment.

A local elected official can point you directly to the neighborhood groups that often have the most vocal critics and champions of a city. The elected official may even be able to connect you with someone who’s already gone through the process.

Small comfortable living room with minimalist furniture

7. Get those comps

Flippers and new construction builders alike should be mindful of comparable sales. If an appraiser can't justify the ultimate sales price—even with a consumer willing to pay—good luck getting a lender to fund at that price. If the appraiser doesn't have ADU comps available, they will compare based on square footage, which won't always work in your favor. Start hunting for comparable sales as soon as possible via the planning department, elected official, or the MLS.

8. Talk to your lenders now

Some lenders are triggering duplex rules and requiring 25 percent down payment to buy a property with an ADU. This can severely limit a flipper’s buyer pool. An ADU added to a single family home is not a duplex. However, it’s a newer strategy and lenders haven’t entirely caught up. If ADUs catch on, this will get easier, but it’s been one of the sticking points for investors looking to sell.

Related: Luxury House Hack Update: What I Think of This Strategy After 12 Months

9. Expect the unexpected

Rules are changing at the state and local levels, and timelines are typically longer than an investor wants them to be. Take the time needed to do the research required to mitigate your risk and to put you in the best position to be successful.

10. Get political

The California state legislators behind the string of ADU legislation, particularly Senator Wieckowski’s office, has been incredibly open to receiving feedback. While you may roll your eyes at this suggestion, understand that affordable housing is an extremely important issue as it impacts many other issues. Sending data-driven reports and personal experiences to your local and state legislators allows them to understand the impact of changes and provides insight on potential opportunities for needed adjustments to bills. Report difficulties with local cities overlaying rules that go against state regulations, as well as pictures of completed ADUs, with feedback on who purchased it or rented it.

Main Street real estate investors have the talent, skilled labor, and access to capital to get ADUs done. Let’s hope the powers that be allow us to be part of the affordable housing solution.

What issues/solutions have you encountered related to ADUs? Where do you live, and what’s your state’s/city’s take on this type of property?

Share in a comment below.

By Aaron Norris
Aaron Norris is vice president of The Norris Group, a California-based hard money lender specializing in flips, rentals, new construction, and accessor...
Read more
Aaron Norris is vice president of The Norris Group, a California-based hard money lender specializing in flips, rentals, new construction, and accessory dwelling units. Aaron has been in the real estate industry for almost 20 years in different facets of the space, including design, construction, and investments. He teaches nationwide on topics like iBuyers, marketing trends, accessory dwelling units, and opportunity zones. Catch his written work on sites like Forbes, BiggerPockets, and Think Realty.
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11 Replies
    Nathan Richmond Rental Property Investor from Visalia, CA
    Replied over 1 year ago
    Excellent article and very timely! I'm trying to do exactly this with a duplex that I own and occupy. I'm hoping to get a smaller 3rd unit added. Thank you very much for the information and the ideas on where to go for the information.
    Hipolito Ramos-Vela
    Replied 3 months ago
    Hello Nathan, I currently in the process of buying a duplex in visalia. I am very interested in putting an ADU. Did the city of visalia let you put an ADU?
    Aaron Norris Lender from California and Florida
    Replied 3 months ago
    There are very few ways the city can stop you. Health and safety, utility issues, and the environment are some of the very ways they can stop you. Go to the building department and ask for the latest ordinance on ADUs. By this point, they should have a ton of resources for you. For a duplex, you may even be able to add two ADUs. Even HOAs have little control to stop them at this point.

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    Steven Holiday Rental Property Investor from Central California
    Replied 3 months ago
    Brad Maaske knows a lot about navigating that process. Phone: (559) 733-4163

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    Paul Merriwether Investor from Oakland, California
    Replied over 1 year ago
    The possibilities that an ADU can add to the investor mix is exciting!!! Adding an ADU to a larger home that is in an area of a University makes a lot of sense financially. In Berkeley for example students are paying $1000 and more for a bed with three students to a room. An ADU could add an additional $3,000/mth for that ADU. One thing I have noticed in the realm of building an ADU is the cost. You are correct it is EYE POPPING!!! Far above what it should actually cost. Sure kitchens are a little more expensive but not to the level some contractors are stating. $1500 can get a nice kitchen via IKEA. Plumbing is the real issue, connecting to the existing sewer line. Electricity isn't even an issue ... any can run wires then call in a electrician to hook it to power. A contractor once quoted me $50,000 for foundation replacement & capping of old foundation. I did it all and added a bath room for under $10,000. I'm very excited about ADU possibilities!!! Thanks for added info!!!

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    Aaron Norris Lender from California and Florida
    Replied over 1 year ago
    Good luck @nathanrichmond, let me know how it goes. Is Visalia ADU friendly?

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    Aaron Norris Lender from California and Florida
    Replied over 1 year ago
    Hi Paul, thanks for the feedback. SB 13 is really looking at those fees via utilities and impact because we've had investors getting charged tens of thousands that had nothing to do with construction, just fees! It's so crazy. The bill is further along than one they tried passing last year so we'll wait and see.

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    Rob Massopust Real Estate Broker from Garden Grove, California
    Replied about 1 year ago
    I think the easiest and least costly way to start getting value add out of a property is to do a Junior ADU. Come next week the laws are going to be very favorable. Every time I read the code its like wait, what thats awesome. Just have to see what in actuality plays out. I would not oversell it yet until each city has adjusted and adapted its own flavor of the law. But here is a tid bit. If you submit plans based on the state law and your city has not adopted its own laws and your plans get stamped then those plans are automatically approved. ie: if you submit next week on 1/2/2020 before the ink is dry you might be able to get that approved where in 6 months those laws might be different.

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    Gary Peyrot Wholesaler from Canoga Park, California
    Replied about 1 year ago
    Very interesting stuff. As always, Aaron has his finger on the pulse and has done his homework. I didn't know about the lenders requiring 25%. One possible solution is for the flipper to take a note in second position for the additional 5%. This won't enable you to get all the cash out of the deal immediately but it could generate some nice cash flow and the buyer probably wouldn't mind paying a decent interest rate since it's a much smaller portion of the total package.

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    Gary Peyrot Wholesaler from Canoga Park, California
    Replied about 1 year ago
    Question for the community: Aaron pointed out this consideration: "If the appraiser doesn’t have ADU comps available, they will compare based on square footage, which won’t always work in your favor." I would think that this depends on the price/sqft for your market. Doesn't this depend on the spread between the cost to build and the selling price per square footage? If you can build for $200/sqft and sell at $350/sqft. then it should work, right?

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    Aaron Norris Lender from California and Florida
    Replied 11 months ago
    Just wanted to update everyone in California on the appraisal issue. Flips continue to be a concern, especially is the consumer is coming in with low-down programs. I don't mean to bag on AMCs but if you get one not well versed on an area and then you throw ADUs into the mix where comparables sales are hard to find, getting the numbers is just a challenge. Investors doing these need to start collecting comparable sales in the area. If you can't find any, the local planning department may be able to provide some other addresses. Since cities can now count ADUs as part of their RHNA numbers, I'm hoping each city will start having a list of ADUs locally. Just expect ADUs to be challenging on the appraisal front.

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