Blog Post

Developing an ADU for Your Property

Dustin Edwards • Dec 04, 2020

Making a Few Key Decisions Can Help You Maximize Your Investment

ADU Development
When you are considering developing an ADU in Long Beach for your residential property the initial thoughts usually revolve around costs and timing. While these certainly are practical questions you will need to find the answers to, we challenge you to think beyond costs and think even deeper about the impact your ADU could have on your property. Envision how it will meet the needs of your future tenants. Consider a few of the questions below as you develop the plan for your ADU.

What size of ADU?
Initially many people consider adding a smaller unit as that is all that they feel they will need. While a unit that is 500-600 ft may certainly meet your goals for an ADU, take the time to understand your neighborhood and what rent could be possible if you built a larger unit (say 800-1,200 sq ft). The effort that is required from architecture, planning, and even the building investment isn’t exponential when you increase square footage yet the long term rental benefit you could yield can be very different.

Take into consideration the configuration of the unit (studio, 1 bedroom, or even 2 bedroom) to help you determine an optimal size. Consider looking for other available rentals in the area (even if they are apartments) to see what your rent could be.

Relationship to Primary Residence
This is one that you will want to work on with the help of your architect and even your general contractor. Developing a free standing unit on your property is something that is common in neighborhoods such as Bixby Knolls and Belmont Heights but as codes have changed over the years you are granted quite a bit of flexibility in developing your new unit.

A few items to consider when you are looking at the new unit in relationship to the existing primary residence:
  • Will the ADU have adequate privacy?  
  • Will the person(s) renting the ADU be able to access their unit easily? (i.e. private gate, entrance, etc.)
  • Will the single family residence and/or the ADU have their own outdoor space? Will they have shared outdoor space?
    • Note: Having a shared outdoor space isn’t necessarily a deal killer as it is common for duplexes throughout Long Beach. The key aspect is to identify it ahead of time and ensure you are comfortable with the plan as well as you see that it would be appealing to future renters.
Parking for your ADU
Updates to the building code have allowed the development of ADUs without the requirement of adding parking which is a great win for housing, but in already parking impacted areas (i.e. think Alamitos Beach) this could be a negative point for a renter. When planning your ADU think of the practicalities of parking (maybe you have a longer driveway) and when you are renting your unit(s) define the parking as clearly as possible to keep your tenants happy for years to come.

When it comes to adding an ADU there are many items to consider. To help you understand how an ADU can contribute to your monthly rental income and the long term value of your property we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247. Or if you prefer a complete evaluation of your property we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis.



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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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