I found this amazing opportunity in Eagle Rock yesterday. It is a charming Spanish style home located in the coveted Dahlia Heights Elementary. It has a huge, deep lot – one could add a sizable ADU and both homes would have privacy and large outdoor space. As an experiment, I wanted to see what the financial math would look like if one were to buy this home, remodel it, and add an ADU. You know I am a nerd, so before I share all my noodgy details, let me give you the bottom line. Buy 5132 Dahlia St. Call me- I’ll help! You will make money by increasing the equity and lowering your net monthly ..read more

You’d love the extra income of a rental ADU in your yard but…. how do you get a good tenant? After all, that tenant is in your backyard- you want someone who pays the rent and is a good neighbor. Listen in as I talk to Diana Tiao, professional property manager at Tiao Properties. She knows more about finding, installing and managing residential properties than I could ever hope to learn. Here are some of the topics we covered: 1:32 Is it easy to rent an ADU? [00:01:37] Diana: I think about renting a ADU it’s very, so I do mostly long term rentals. It’s one year lease and above. And there’s a ..read more

BREAKING NEWS – California ADU law updates makes it easier for homeowners to add the ADU of their dreams. On September 28, three new laws were approved, SB 897, AB 2221, and AB 916. We will cover the rules most impacting the construction of new detached ADUs. Second Story ADUs and Two story ADUs This is the most exciting update. The height limit for all ADUs was 16 ft. Nice, but too low for a two-story structure. SB 897 raises that limit to 18 ft plus extra to allow for a roof pitch to match the main dwelling. It raises the height limit to 25 ft if the ADU is attached to a two-story main dwell ..read more

Pasadena ADU policy applies to the incorporated City of Pasadena, home of the Rose Bowl, Rose Parade, and innumerable historic landmarks and architectural gems. Pasadena policymakers are walking a fine line between protecting Pasadena’s heritage and the need/requirement to add more housing units. In general, Pasadena walks this line by creating different rules for larger lots and larger ADUs. This is unusual, so be sure to read my sections on setbacks and allowable sizes. The policy document can be read HERE: Community Planning: Pasadena Accessory Dwelling Units. A better source of Pasadena AD ..read more

South Pasadena ADU policy applies to a wholly incorporated city, separate and distinct from Pasadena. It is a popular location for professionals who work along the Metro Gold Line route and people who value a top-rated school system. The rules are surprisingly progressive! The policy document can be read HERE: South Pasadena Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance and here is an infographic version. Both are signed May 2021. ADU policy changes, sometimes rapidly, so make sure you check for updates in your individual area. ADU DIGGS was created to provide high-end ADUs without the high-end price. We ..read more

Investors love ADUs and ADU Investment is hot, hot, hot. The ROI of an ADU is almost always a positive cash flow real estate investment from the moment it is ready to rent. However, the details of ADU investment are not always obvious. I interviewed Will Tiao – owner of Tiao Properties. His company specializes in real estate investment properties and property management. You can view the entire video below with chapter markers for the different topics. I will summarize his advice for real estate investors as well as add my own expertise as an ADU expert to give you the best ADU Investment Guid ..read more

ADU DIGGS In the News!!! Yahoo Financial News: 25v Diversity Fund announced that ADU DIGGS was the runner-up in their inaugural Pitch Battle at Inman Connect in Las Vegas. 25V Diversity Fund seeks to fund real estate, property, and fintech startups led by diverse founders. Founder and CEO Kendyl Young hit it out of the park after her 5-minute presentation- receiving a nearly unanimous “INVEST” vote from the audience. ADU DIGGS delivers high-end ADUs without the high-end price or hassle, creating achievable multi-generational housing and age-in-place solutions. Here are some of the main points ..read more

LA County ADU Policy governs all the unincorporated parts of the greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. This includes La Crescenta, Sunland/Tujunga, parts of East Pasadena, and Altadena, among many others. The Los Angeles County ADU Policy is different from Los Angeles City ADU policy and it is important to know which set of rules applies to your home. Los Angeles County ADU Policy is 34 pages of dense, confusing jargon. The following is my summary of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance effective November 12, 2020. ADU policy changes, sometimes rapidly, so make sure you check for updates in ..read more

Glendale ADU Policy is dense, chewy, and filled with policy jargon. I extracted these points from the updated Glendale ADU policy released in January 2022. There was a subsequent review letter from the HCD (3/22)- I will add my thoughts on that letter below. Before you start reading, Glendale wants to preserve the architectural character of the city. ADU DIGGS was born with that same priority- we live and work in Glendale! Our ADUs are designed to blend and enhance Glendale homes and neighborhoods. Please visit our models HERE. Glendale ADU Policy Highlights ADU Size and Height Limitations in ..read more