Garage Conversion/ Problem for rental?

Question

I’m looking at buying a home and doing a garage conversion. I live in SO Cal and it would be a house hack to save money for other investments. I thought of just putting insulation and drywall to cover the roll up door on the inside in case future buyer wants the garage again. I would then stay in garage conversion and rent out main house. In 4 years I would move ans rent out both sections. I am checking to see what the ADU rules are in the different areas. My questions are 1. If there is adequate parking will not have a garage be a major deterrent with a renter? 2. Will a garage conversion with the roll up door still visible on the outside be a big problem for future renters?  What do you think? Any other feedback?

Whitney Hutten · Answer

@Angela Zaitz Definitely check your local regulations.  In my area, many homes have a driveway and a garage conversion... but many are in violation.  In my city, the 9x19 parking area has to be in the house, along the side of the house, or in back... the driveway doesn't count as a parking area.

We use ours as an extra room / washroom. There is a murphy bed along the wall and washer dryer in the corner to preserve the 9x19 space. We also ran heat out there so we could count the square footage as well.  We put in a double french door so you could actually open the garage and get a car in there (technically) to fulfill the city requirement. The room doesn't appraise as a bedroom or ADU but as an extra room.

Fortunately for us, they don't crack down UNLESS they find a renter living in the garage unit.

John A Murray · Answer

Angela there is a ton of info online regarding ADU's, which are mainly governed by state regulations.

I would spend the extra money and do it legally if you are going to eventually rent it out or will be adding water/sewer/gas etc. regardless. If it's only you living in the "ADU" until you sell then you could leave it alone to the extent you find livable.