All Forum Posts by: Brian Larson

@Chen Zhou - how close was your budget for this project?

Try looking into Maxable.com or Hausable.com both of them are consultants for ADUs. 

Welcome @Mikey Zacarias. Where are you living in San Jose Downtown? I purchased a SFH a few years back in the Northside neighborhood (near Backesto Park). I have been working to build an ADU above my detached garage recently. I expect to have a permit in November.

I also currently house-hack. We have a good friend’s little brother living with us.

Happy to connect further and share ideas. Let me know which meetups you are headed to. Cheers.

@Susan O. - You should speak to a qualified tax expert. I have heard of folks doing what you are suggesting but I am unsure how to do so and the avoid gift tax.

I concur with @Ori Skloot. I am in the design process now and my nextdoor neighbor has submitted to planning. Those are good estimates.

@Chris Lopez

Sorry for the confusion. The connection is just commentary on ADUs. They are a great idea for many people in different markets. Although, I have seen many people talk about them in the Denver Area. They probably don’t make sense in Littleton but they would in the Denver downtown core, given the traffic on 70 and other highways.

@Brook Bolger

This has been debated on the forums a bunch of times since the California State Law was passed a few years ago. I have not seen a good answer yet because appraisers have not really adjusted to this new real estate model so there is no standard way to evaluate and not enough comps in the marketplace yet.

Anyway, let me know if you find more info on the topic because I am very interested.

@Chris Lopez

You make a good point for your market but as with most real estate...those comments do not hold true for Bay Area Real Estate where the ADU market is booming.

***I am not an attorney but you may wish to consult one.

Much of your question is determined by your lease language and wether the garage is attached to the home.

Most leases terms are structured to include “use” of items like a garage. In those language cases, the landlord reserves rights to areas of the property like a garage. This clause can help protect the landlord in cases of loss. The only thing most renters are contractually obligated to in their lease is the dwelling. The garage is NOT a dwelling.

However, I would be cautious if the garage is attached to the current home because the tenant may be able to argue that it is part of the rental in that case.

I am curious to hear other thoughts on this question.

@Lynnette E. totally agree