You mean the ones being held in Los Angeles, 3,000 miles away, on the opposite side of the country?

I'm in Los Angeles, so it may be similar to your market, in that long-term rents are high.

A lot of novice brokers/LOs treat their reps like garbage and expect them to close in 10 days.

👋I’ve been lurking on the forums for a bit and finally decided it’s time to jump in and introduce myself.I’m a brand-new investor based in Los Angeles, and I’ve set a big goal: buy 10 rental properties in the next 6 years, starting with my first one before the end of this year.

High Rental Income Potential;       In LA County, you can expect average ADU rents around $2,050–$2,550 per month for a one-     bedroom unit.On a construction cost of roughly $150,000–$220,000, that translates to annual gross rents of $24,600–$30,600, or a 7–15% cash-on-cash return before financing.Strong Property-Value UpliftHomes with an ADU in Los Angeles often sell for about 35% more than comparable properties without one.For a $800,000 home, that’s roughly a $280,000 increase in appraised value after adding an ADU.Solid Cash-on-Cash ReturnsEven paying cash, you can net 10%+ annual returns on your build cost from rental income alone.And financing the project can still leave you with an $8,000–$10,000 annual net gain after mortgage costs.Resilient Demand & Market DynamicsLA’s tight housing market keeps vacancy rates low and rents high, supporting steady occupancy.Regulatory reforms have streamlined ADU permitting, cutting wait times and softening approval hurdles.Tax & Incentive BenefitsYou can deduct mortgage interest and depreciation on the ADU, improving after-tax returns.Energy-efficiency or solar incentives can further lower net build costs.Things to keep in mind if you already own a property and can't afford to buy another.Upfront Costs & Timeline: Expect 9–12 months and $150K–$250K all-in.Permitting & Utility Upgrades: May require separate electrical sub-panel, meter, or sewer hookups.Maintenance & Management: Factor in insurance, taxes, and occasional repairs.In Los Angeles’s high-rent, low-vacancy environment, an ADU typically pays for itself in 6–10 years through combined rental income and increased resale value—making it one of the most compelling "home-owner" investments today.

I have a unit in the city of Los Angeles, echo park area.   

New Census data shows a fascinating convergence: Austin, Orlando, Phoenix, and Atlanta each posted remarkably similar annual permit totals between 11,400-12,300 units—but the underlying trends tell a story of dramatic geographic rebalancing.Pandemic hotspots are cooling fast:Austin: -7,910 units (steepest decline nationally)Phoenix: -5,891 unitsAtlanta: -3,088 unitsMiami: -3,000+ units (dropped to #16 nationally)Los Angeles and Washington DC: -4,000 to -4,500 units eachMeanwhile, emerging markets are heating up:Orlando: +4,351 units (strong growth despite regional trends)Columbus, OH: +22% year-over-yearChicago and Anaheim showing renewed strengthSmaller metros like Fayetteville, Omaha, Des Moines, and Augusta all gained 1,200-2,200 unitsThis shift suggests developers are chasing opportunities beyond traditional pandemic winners, spreading growth to up-and-coming markets with better fundamentals and less frothy pricing.

This has always been a challenge, and from what I’ve seen and heard, California—especially areas like Los Angeles—continues to be one of the toughest.

We’re based in Los Angeles and open to creative or unconventional strategies as long as they help preserve capital or minimize losses. 

We’re based in Los Angeles and open to creative or unconventional strategies as long as they help preserve capital or minimize losses.