When it comes to home renovations, you’ll hear a lot of terms. One of those terms that have become popular is ADU.
The term stands for “Accessory Dwelling Unit.” Is it something for you? You need to understand more about the term and the type of unit you’re building to see if it’s going to be for you.
What Is an ADU?
An ADU is a dwelling-type structure. It is possible to live, with all the items needed to be able to cook, wash, and sleep. You may hear of it as something like a “Granny Annex” or a “mother-in-law apartment.” You can build it and have it as a bachelor pad or as a home office space that you can also sleep in. It’s possible to rent it out if you need to.
The ADU is completely separate from the home. It is a single structure somewhere else on your land. You’ll certainly need space in the garden to add something like this.
However, the ADU is not a “home addition.” It’s not an extension of your current residential structure. It has its own walls and its own roof. A home addition is when you add to your existing place of residence.
Do You Need an ADU in Santa Rosa?
Now you’ll want to look at whether you need this additional building on your property. Of course, if you don’t have the space in the land, you’re not going to be able to add it. That takes out the search as to whether you need it or not.
Now it comes to whether you need one. What exactly are the benefits of getting an ADU on your property?
If you want to create a rental income, which can be good as an investment for the future, you may want to consider building the structure. You create a space that is private from your own space, giving you and potential renters the space you all need. You get rid of potentially having shared bathrooms and communal areas, and you don’t have to worry about if your renter likes to listen to their music loud.
What about if you’re not renting? It could be a great space for an elderly parent, or maybe for teenagers who want to get a sense of what it’s like to live alone. It could be great for adult children who need to move back home. There are plenty of multigenerational families, and the ADU in Santa Rosa offers a separate space for some of those family members.
Then there are the separated couples. You may not want to get another apartment, especially if you’ve separated on good terms. Get the ADU and you can have the other parent still on the same property. You could even switch who sleeps there based on who has the children at the time, allowing the children the consistency of remaining in the family home.
An ADU in Santa Rosa is a completely separate structure on your land. Now it’s time to decide if this is the right option for you.