All Forum Posts by: Anna Vickroy

@Gary F. Thank you SO much for all the info on pre-fab homes.  Super helpful!

Originally posted by @Ethan Cooke:

Anna Vickroy - Great job with the Livermore ADU! Nice ROI. Was it cheaper to have your ADU designed and built than to go for a nice pre-fab design?

I don't have an answer to your question and I'm very interested in doing more analysis in the pre-fab options. Labor costs are VERY high and anything that can save time in construction will certainly help keep costs down. With my engineering background and experience in permitting, I was able to design, draw and pull the permit on the ADU myself, resulting in cost savings there. But even with that savings, the construction costs were too high for me to jump into another one right away. I 'd love to hear more ideas from others about pre-fab experiences and options.

@Tommy C. Yes, we are doing a refi on the property (main house + ADU). Purchased in early 2017 at $528k and appraised now at $709k. Property values in general have increased which is part of this, but this ADU added a significant amount of living sq. footage to the property which was the main reason for the increased valuation.

Hi @Maria D'Aura I was not required to add parking even though I converted the garage because I still had 2 off-street parking spaces that met the parking requirements for the main house. Then additional parking was not required for the ADU because I was within 1/4 mile of a bus stop. I hope that helps and I'm happy to talk to you about your project and help you navigate livermore zoning.

Originally posted by @Gary F.:

@Anna Vickroy

Whoa. Nice ROI with little initial investment. How long from planning to tenant occupation did it take?

I heard for San Jose it may be about 6 months after final inspection to the time of county recording before it can be occupied. This was told me from a REA but im not sure if that's accurate. That seems unreasonably long. 

I'd love to hear more about your experience with the process 

 I haven't heard about a 6mo delay before occupancy.  Not sure the reason for this.  I'd go straight to the San Jose Building department or planning counter and ask directly.  Sometimes word of mouth on these rules get fuzzy because every property has a different circumstance.  But I've never heard of a delayed occupancy after final inspection is complete.

This is my first post to BP. I just finished an ADU (detached 480sqft garage conversion) in downtown Livermore. Cost was $120k. Super modern touches for high end tenant (think Lawrence Livermore Lab employee). Rented for $1900. No requirement for owner occupancy. I'm currently working on submitting plans for another ADU in Concord. Personally I love ADUs and tiny house design. Easier to get permits for than a duplex. Two rents on one property allow for positive cash flow. My next task is to learn more about prefab tiny homes.