10 Things to Know Before Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit
If you’re thinking about building an ADU, don’t commit your time, energy, and money until you think carefully about all that the project entails. ADUs (accessory dwelling units) can be a great solution for adding more square footage to your living space and providing family members or friends with a private living space. But they come with rules, regulations, and sometimes drawbacks that you might not have considered.So, while dreaming about and planning an ADU can be exciting, take as much time as you need to consider all the pros and cons so you don’t regret your decision later. Here are 10 things to know before building an ADU.1. An ADU Can Offer the Same Benefits as an AdditionAn ADU can offer the same benefits as an addition without disrupting the main flow of your house. For example, if you’ve been considering adding an office, gym, or mother-in-law quarter to your home, think about whether that space would be better suited to a separate structure. Not all properties can easily and aesthetically accommodate an addition.2. ADUs Must Be HabitableADUs can be attached or detached, but they have to be habitable for them to count toward your living area’s square footage. This means the ADU must have a functioning bathroom and kitchen (or kitchenette). It also must have utilities, which you can run separately to the unit or through the main home.3. An ADU Could Be a Good InvestmentAn accessory dwelling unit could be a good investment, providing you with a source of rental income, especially if you live in an area with an increased housing shortage. It can also boost property value, adding to the total livable square footage of the home—possibly a wise move if you plan to sell in the future.4. ADUs Can Provide Privacy and ComfortIf you often host guests or extended family, consider adding an ADU. It can provide them more comfort and privacy than sleeping on your sofa or in a spare room. Additionally, college kids who have come home for a break or after finishing school may also appreciate an ADU as a starter space to call their own.5. An ADU Used as a Rental Can Decrease PrivacyIf you plan to rent your ADU, consider that you may have more foot traffic in your front and back yards, which is a definite drawback if you value your privacy. Even though accessory units have separate entrances, you’ll have someone sharing your property, so you might have to put up blinds or other window coverings to keep people from looking in.6. An ADU Can Be a Solution to Housing ShortagesBuilding an ADU can be a great solution for your adult child struggling to find affordable housing. Older low- and moderate-income earners in your community might also be priced out of the rental and purchase market. Therefore, adding an accessory unit helps you be a solution to those in need. Additionally, if you’ve wanted to buy a bigger home but can’t afford rising real estate prices, you might want to consider staying where you are and expanding rather than moving.7. Poor Layout and Design Can End Up Decreasing Your Property ValueIf you’ve already decided to build an ADU, ensure its layout and design fit in with your main home. Otherwise, you could decrease your property value. An accessory unit’s size or architecture shouldn’t look awkward in its space. With the proper planning, design, and construction team, you can make an ADU a beautiful and seamless part of your property.8. You’ll Need to Follow Regulations to BuildEvery area has building regulations, even rural communities. So, make sure you know the laws surrounding ADUs in your city. Also, consider that HOA-restricted neighborhoods have even more building codes and rules. Remember, too, that you’ll need to apply for a permit regardless of where you build your ADU.9. You May Have to Provide Parking for Your ADUDifferent areas have varying regulations regarding residences and parking. Some municipalities consider proximity to public transportation or car shares when making parking rules. Others don’t require parking spaces on specific properties like those in architecturally significant communities. If you have to provide parking for your ADU, the rule may be one space per bedroom (as it often is in many cities). If you turn that space into an ADU, your city may not require you to replace parking spaces in a garage. Check with your city to see if you’ll need to provide parking for your accessory unit.10. Prefabricated ADUs Might Offer a Faster Turnaround and Less On-Site ConstructionPre-fabricated dwelling units are manufactured off-site, usually in standard sections, and quickly assembled and shipped. Up to 90% of the ADU might be completed away from your property, with just the utilities, plumbing, and foundation work to deal with on-site. Pre-fact ADUs make sense on flat lots and lots where equipment like tractors and cranes can easily get in. If you go with a modular unit, consider that all on-site prep work and off-site construction are done simultaneously, completing the project much faster than a standard stick-built unit.Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.The post 10 Things to Know Before Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit appeared first on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life.
Spring Cleaning for Homeowners: Tips for a Fresh Start
Get ready for warmer weather and all the fun that goes with it by giving your home a good spring cleaning. Sprucing up your interior and exterior puts you on the right path for summer relaxation (who wants to tend to costly repairs when you could be enjoying yourself on vacation?) and entertaining family and friends (4th of July party, anyone?).Whether you live in a small condo or sprawling property, you probably have some chores that need tending to now that winter’s over. So, use our spring cleaning guide to ensure you haven’t overlooked any necessary steps to getting your house in good shape for a new season. Here are some tips you can follow this spring for a fresh start in the coming months.Clean Dryer VentClean your dryer vent once a year to keep your machine working optimally and reduce the risk of fire. The dryer’s vent differs from its lint trap, which you should clean after each use. The vent is located on the back of the dryer and is a thick, flexible aluminum hose connecting to the wall. To clean the dryer vent, move the dryer away from the wall, disconnect the vent from the machine and the wall, remove any lint inside the vent hose, and use a vacuum to clean the holes that connect to the hose.Drain Water HeaterWater heaters are often tucked away, so they’re easy to overlook. But, if you give this appliance a little attention during springtime, it’ll extend the heater’s life. Draining your water heater reduces sediment that can accumulate due to minerals in the water. When you drain your heater and then refill it, you can minimize the time it takes for your water to get hot. Draining also protects against breakdowns. But, before you perform this important spring-cleaning task, let your water cool completely and disconnect any energy source.Clean GuttersGiving your gutters a good cleaning is essential during wintertime when built-up debris can cause a dam that makes rain, snow, and ice pool, threatening your home’s structural integrity. So, if you didn’t perform this critical chore last winter, attend to it this spring. In addition to cleaning leaves, branches, and dirt from your gutters, point all downspouts away from your home’s foundation.Deep Clean BathroomsBathrooms are breeding grounds for mold and mildew, so give them a deep clean every spring (and ideally several times a season). Scrub your floors, counters, toilets, and shower walls and glass enclosures. Wipe down the bathroom’s walls, baseboards, windows, and light fixtures. Wash and change shower curtains, and clean shower heads with water and vinegar to break down mineral buildup. Change Air FiltersRegularly changing your air filters helps keep allergens out of your home. Depending on your air conditioning unit, you may need to change your air filters every six months or even more frequently. But at the least, you should tend to this necessary task every spring. We suggest you switch your filters before seasonal breezes kick in and pollen and other bothersome airborne particles start to spread.Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide AlarmsIf you didn’t test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms during winter, do it now. Change the batteries in all your alarms and then check their functionality using the ‘test’ button. Additionally, look at the alarm’s expiration date (every smoke and carbon monoxide detector has one) and replace it if it expires in the next six months.Deep Clean Floors and CarpetsSome carpets require professional cleaning every 12-18 months to maintain their warranty, so don’t let this critical milestone slip by. Before you clean your carpets, however, test an area for colorfastness. Then, vacuum, treat individual stains, and use a carpet cleaning machine to do a deep clean. You can freshen up hardwood and other solid-surface flooring with a mop or appropriate cleaning machine.A good spring cleaning offers the most short and long-term benefits when you go from room to room, inspecting, repairing, and freshening everything in and out of sight. In addition to the tips mentioned above, consider doing a deep clean on the following:Indoor furnitureThrow rugsWindow treatmentsChandeliers and pendant lightsKitchen appliancesKitchen counters and cupboardsEntry doorDeck or patioGarageGarden Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through every step in the process.The post Spring Cleaning for Homeowners: Tips for a Fresh Start appeared first on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life.
13 Steps to Buying a House in 2024
Are you thinking about buying a house in 2024? Or, have you already decided to purchase but are wondering about the process? Buying a new home is exciting but it often comes with some challenging moments. To ensure you’re ready and to prepare you for what’s to come, we’ve created a list of 13 steps to expect.Take the time to review our list and make an action plan based on these best practices. Then, you’ll be in an excellent position to breeze through the home-buying process and end up in the house of your dreams.1. Make Sure You’re Ready to MoveBefore buying a new house, ensure the purchase makes sense for your life. Sit down and ask yourself if you’re ready for the upkeep, location, and financial commitments that come with home ownership. If you’re buying the home with someone, make sure you both are on the same page regarding all aspects of the purchase.2. Get Your Finances in OrderWhen considering the financial aspects of purchasing a home, remember that you’ll need a down payment, closing costs, and monthly income to cover mortgage payments, property taxes, and homeowners insurance. Additionally, consider how much you’ll have to spend remodeling and maintaining a new home.3. Create a Wish ListSome parts of buying a new home are more fun than others, and creating a wish list of what you want in a house is an exciting step. Here, you’ll write down everything you’d love in a house: a home office, proximity to the beach, a yard for entertaining, a location in a safe neighborhood, etc. These are all examples of wish-list items and many of them may be your wishes too, but think carefully about what joyful homeownership looks like to you.4. Be Real About Must-HavesIt’s fun to wish for what you want in a home, but be real about what you need. How many bedrooms are necessary? Do you require a single-story house or a home close to work? Is dedicated parking or low-maintenance essential? These are all important considerations for many buyers, but you’ll likely have your own (short or long) list of must-haves in a new home.5. Shop for a MortgageYou’ve made your wish and must-have lists, but it’s not time to go home shopping yet. First, you have to shop a mortgage. Find at least three lenders with good ratings that you can contact to learn about interest rates, loan closing costs, and general loan processes.6. Get Pre-approved for a LoanAfter you’ve compared lenders, getting pre-approved for a loan is the next step. Pre-approval means you’ve given the mortgage company some initial information and it has determined, after a cursory review, that you’d likely get approved up to a specific dollar amount. Remember that pre-approval is not the same as final approval.7. Find a Real Estate AgentIt’s vital that you have a real estate agent to represent you in your home purchase. These professionals know the industry inside and out, and they’re experts on real estate transactions. The best agents know how to negotiate contracts effectively to get the best price and terms for their clients. Ensure you interview at least three agents before signing a buyer’s agent agreement.8. Start Your Home SearchNow that you have your pre-approval letter and real estate agent, it’s time to start your home search. Give your agent your wish and must-have lists and ask them to show you suitable properties. You may have to look at dozens of homes to find the right one, searching the market over a span of weeks or months. So, have patience and keep your goal in mind—joyful and carefully considered homeownership!7. Make an OfferWhen you’ve identified a property you want to purchase, work with your real estate agent to make an offer. Your agent should be able to advise you on the best offer amount and contract terms.8. Secure a MortgageWhen you have an accepted offer, you’ll need to contact your lender and begin securing a home loan. The mortgage company will ask you for information, forms, and documents to officially qualify you for the loan and satisfy its lending requirements.9. Get a Home InspectionAfter you’ve opened escrow, contact a home inspector to investigate the property from top to bottom. The inspector should examine the home’s structural, electrical, and plumbing systems as well as other property details. You can hire more than one inspector, so consider bringing in specialists as needed, such as someone to do a soil survey for a hillside home.10. Obtain Homeowners InsuranceMost lenders will require you to obtain homeowners insurance, so start shopping around for the best coverage and price.11. Fulfill Escrow RequirementsDuring the escrow process, there will likely be many documents to sign and reports to initial among other requirements. Ensure you and your real estate agent keep abreast of all timely factors concerning your escrow, such as when you’ll need to provide funds or remove contract conditions.12. Close Your LoanAfter your mortgage lender receives all your documents, does its due diligence on the property, and approves your loan, it’ll give you the good news—you’re ‘clear to close’! Congratulations on reaching this momentous milestone.13. Move into Your New HouseYou’ve worked hard to get to this point and gone through a lot. Now, it’s time to move into your new home! Ensure you hire a locksmith to change all the locks before your first night in the property, and then settle in and start planning how you’ll make your house your own.Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through every step in the process.The post 13 Steps to Buying a House in 2024 appeared first on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life.
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