Blog Post

Building an ADU is Like Building an Individual Apartment

Dustin Edwards • Mar 01, 2023

ADUs Should Be Considered A Small Separate Apartment

ADU interior

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a versatile building you can have in your backyard. Some homeowners build it to make space for friends and family, while others enjoy having additional living space. An ADU provides passive income while living in the main house. You should see an increase in your home’s appraised value.


Today we’ll review a few elements when building your ADU, like an individual apartment you need to consider.


Site Plan

Once you’ve decided to build an ADU, how well does it fit within your property?


This can significantly change the amount you can charge for rent for the ADU. Items such as an individual parking space and a separate entrance for the ADU provides tenants with privacy. This can be difficult as there are going to be multiple structures sharing the lot. However, a simple trick is having the ADU’s entrance in a different orientation than the main building to not communicate a line of sight between the main building and the ADU’s entrance. This can often be enough to divide both buildings and give tenants a private entrance. 


Attached and detached ADUs usually require one parking space. Some projects qualify for exemption from the parking requirements. For example, conversion ADUs and Junior ADUs don’t require parking.


Appliances

ADUs should be outfitted with new, modern appliances, and not the leftover ones from the main house. 


Though it isn’t necessary to provide appliances when renting an ADU, renting an ADU with appliances is a great way to attract more interest from potential tenants. It's well established that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms tenants look at when looking for a place to rent. Appliances like a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and stove can provide tenants with comfort. If you can provide a washer and dryer in the ADU, tenants will appreciate saving time by not having to go to the local laundromat. Good quality stainless steel appliances will not only look great for long periods of time and are easy to clean and sought after by tenants. 


Materials

Think of an ADU like you’re building a house. Ideally, you should choose materials people want to see in their homes. Although spending more money building a rental may seem counterintuitive, the investment is well worth it. Hardwood floors and natural stone countertops like quartz or granite seem expensive for a rental. Though it has multiple benefits, not only will it help your rental stand out, stone countertops are durable, easy to clean, and rarely need to be repaired or replaced. It's an investment you need to worry about only once. 


Hardwood floors are often desirable by tenants due to their ease of maintenance and are generally better for people with allergies. On the rare occasion that the floor suffers damage such as scratches or gouges, the fix can be done without replacing whole boards when compared to the cheaper alternative. 


Good quality tile is an excellent choice for rooms like the kitchen and bathroom. Tile flooring is stain and moisture-resistant, easy to clean, and generally has a much longer lifespan when compared to vinyl or linoleum though the price will reflect this. 


ADUs are an excellent way for homeowners to become landlords. If you need help managing your new ADU or need help deciding if you need a property management company, consider calling us at (562) 888-0247, or feel free to fill out our
free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.


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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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