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☆ A California couple built a $500,000 ADU in their parents' backyard when they couldn't afford to buy a traditional house
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementNewlyweds Aislyn and Ali Benjamin felt they couldn't afford to buy a traditional property in their corner of California — Danville, a small city just over an hour's drive east of San Francisco. Financing and building the ADU cost a total of $500,000, paid by the couple with help from their parents. Advertisement"The main reason we chose to do this is to stay close to our work," Ali Benjamin told Business Insider. An overview of the Benjamins' ADU in the Bay Area, where the couple lives full-time. The kitchen of the Benjamins' ADU.

Persons: Aislyn, Ali Benjamin, —, Realtor.com, San Ramon — Aislyn, Ali, Villa, ADU, Ali Benjamin's, Ali Benjamin said Organizations: Service, Danville ., Benjamins, Business, Urban Institute, Villa Villa, Backyard, Villa Locations: California — Danville, San Francisco, Danville, San Ramon, Bay, California, Los Angeles, San Jose

☆ We built a $250,000 ADU for our adult son in our backyard. He gets the support he needs, and it's cheaper than finding an apartment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The kind of support Jacob needs, including having someone available 24 hours a day, is upward of $9,000 a month. With this in mind, we knew we could not afford to have Jacob living in the facility. So, my wife and I instead considered building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in our backyard. One of these, Independent Living Services (ILS), provides a set number of hours a week for in-home assistance with Jacob. After moving out, he qualifies for Supported Living Services (SLS), which expands the number of hours he can get in-home support.

Persons: —, Todd Kuchta, Jacob, we've, He's, Nicholas Miller, it's, Jacob's, Witnesses, Villa, Nicholas Miller Jacob Organizations: Service, Business, Autism, Villa, Redwood Credit Union, Raiders, Oakland, Living Services, Support Services Locations: Napa , California, Napa, California, Napa County

Here are the best mortgage lenders for first-time homebuyers and the affordable loans they offer, as chosen by Business Insider editors in 2024. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, you can get discountsCheck mark icon A check mark. Offers many unique types of mortgagesCheck mark icon A check mark. Low Cost Mortgages come with only $295 in closing costsCheck mark icon A check mark. Mortgage credit certificatesSome HFAs also offer mortgage credit certificates to first-time homebuyers.

Persons: It's, Chase, Grant, You'll, Carrington, Carrington doesn't, forbearance, HELOC, homebuyers, Truist, doesn't, Flagstar, they're, homeownership, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac's, you'll, Anthony Park, Molly Grace, Julie Aragon, There's, Lauryn Williams, —, there's, PenFed, USAA, Wells, Wells Fargo, Ally Organizations: Homebuyers Bank of America Mortgage, Mortgage, Chase, Federal Credit Union Mortgage, New, U.S, Bank Mortgage, Federal Savings, Loan, Truist, Flagstar Bank, Business, Bank of America, of America, FHA, Bank, Bank of, Bank of America's, Miami . Bank of America, USDA, Guild Mortgage, Veterans, Navy, Credit, Federal, Navy Federal, Navy Federal Credit Union, Department of Defense, Student Loan, . Bank, US Bank, U.S . Bank, Carrington Mortgage, Carrington Mortgage Services, Consumer Financial Protection, DC, Private Mortgage Insurance, PMI, Down Payments, Quicken, Rocket Mortgage, Rocket, CrossCountry Mortgage, CrossCountry, Loans, Flagstar Bank Mortgage, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Federal Housing Administration, US Department of Housing, Urban, US Department of Veterans Affairs, US Department of Agriculture, Best, Chevron, CFP, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, BBB, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Veterans United, Movement Mortgage, NBKC, PNC Bank, Better Business Bureau Locations: VA, HELOC, Washington, DC, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Delaware, Vermont, Delaware , Vermont, Wyoming, J.D, New York, ., U.S, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio, Florida, California , Colorado , Connecticut, Georgia , Illinois , Indiana , Kentucky, Maryland , Massachusetts , Missouri , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York, North Carolina , Ohio , Oregon , Pennsylvania, South Carolina , Tennessee, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona , Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona , California, Florida , Indiana , Michigan , New Jersey , New York , Ohio, Wisconsin, Flagstar, Arizona , California , Connecticut , Idaho , Michigan, Nevada , Ohio, New Mexico, Chevron, Wells Fargo

☆ How a Montana retiree will save on spiking home insurance and taxes by living in a type of housing that's illegal in many places
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

While her house is paid off, her home-related costs, including insurance, property taxes, and maintenance, have risen. In 2019, her home insurance cost about $890, but last year, according to her record-keeping, she paid almost $1,500. Increasingly, cities and states across the country are legalizing and even incentivizing ADU construction as a way to boost the supply of smaller, more affordable homes. Courtesy of SylviaThis comes as older people, including homeowners, are struggling with rising housing costs in communities across the country. But property taxes and insurance costs are also way up, making it hard for many homeowners to afford their payments.

Persons: —, Sylvia, She's, who's, I'm, it's, ADUs —, Sylvia ADUs, ADUs, Policygenius, Beverly Dashnaw Organizations: Service, Business, BI, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Locations: Arizona, Missoula , Montana, California, Montana, Missoula, ADUs, In Montana, Helena

☆ I made $100,000 selling my backyard. Now a developer will use it to build more homes California so desperately needs.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. I have a moderate front yard that wraps around because it's a corner lot, and then a large backyard. You don't do anything with your backyard and you're always complaining about affordable housing for people in Sacramento. It would become its own separate lot with its own separate address, and a developer would build a stacked duplex on it. I hate yard work, and now I'm going to have to do a lot less of it.

Persons: —, Jeremy Cullifer, I've, It's, BuildCasa, Bill, it's, I'm, Cullifer, you've, We've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Sacramento, New York City, California, It's

☆ I made $20,000 in 5 months by renting out extra apartments in my Sacramento backyard
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

My wife and I live in a century-old home in Sacramento, but also own 13 investment properties spread throughout Texas and California. In 2004, we bought a $300,000 investment property, a duplex in Midtown Sacramento, which we rent out. AdvertisementLast year, I built two cottages on the duplex's lot and began renting them out as ADUs. After several months of collaboration with the company's design team, we submitted an application to the city of Sacramento. AdvertisementWith Sacramento allowing up to 1,200 square feet per ADU, I chose to build two 600-square-foot cottages on the lot.

Persons: —, George Warren, I've, Warren's ADU, Kevin Craig, ADUs, they're, it's, Warren Organizations: Service, Business, Tiny Homes, YouTube, Sacramento State University Locations: Sacramento, Texas, California, Midtown Sacramento, Warren, it's, ADUs, Warren's, Atlanta

☆ A mortgage advisor shares how to get the 3.5% down payment on an FHA loan fully covered — and the 3 best strategies real-estate investors can use to maximize leverage from government loans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

This was achieved by allowing first-time buyers to purchase a home with a smaller down payment — as low as 3.5%. The program is still around, and it's often a great way for real-estate investors to get started. Advertisement3 ways to make the most of government loan programsWelgan also shared two strategies that real-estate investors can use to maximize the leverage offered through government loans. Buyers can now purchase up to a four-unit property with a down payment of as little as 5%. "That's been a game changer for real-estate investors," Welgan said.

Persons: —, Jeff Welgan, Fannie Mae, Buyers, Welgan, Fannie Mae's, That's, ADUs, Dave Meyer, Fannie, I've Organizations: Service, Act, Business, Federal National Mortgage Association, Mortgage, Urban Locations: Los Angeles County , California, Michigan, California

☆ I downsized to an ADU I built in my Sacramento yard. I pay only $520 toward my mortgage and am saving up for my next home.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

One of them sent me an advertisement for CalHFA's ADU grant program that gives eligible Californians $40,000 to cover blueprints, permits, and closing costs to build an ADU on their property. In 2022, I began the process of getting approved for the CalHFA's ADU grant, which was pretty easy. As a result, my mortgage, including my main house and ADU, increased by $1,500 a month — from $1,200 to $2,700. There are two renters living in the main property and my son and I moved into the ADU. Living in the ADU with my son, I only pay $520 of the $2,700 mortgage.

Persons: —, Blanca Barragan, They've, Barragan, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Habitat, Humanity, Tiny Locations: Sacramento, Blanca, California

☆ The city of Malibu is taking a family to the state supreme court to stop them from building a tiny home in their backyard for their elderly parent
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But a Malibu couple's struggle to build an ADU shows how local governments are standing in the way. Jason and Elizabeth Riddick have been trying to build an ADU in their backyard in the pricey coastal enclave since July 2020. So they applied for a permit from the city to build a small ADU and a minor addition to their existing house. So the Riddicks sued the city and in July 2022, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge sided with the couple. Again, the city appealed the decision, this time to the state supreme court this month.

Persons: —, Elizabeth Riddick, Elizabeth, they've, Elizabeth said, Jason, David Deerson, Deerson, they're, ADUs Organizations: Service, Business, Malibu Times, Pacific Legal Foundation, New, New York City Locations: California, Los Angeles, LA County, New York

☆ I built a 296-square-foot backyard tiny home in Atlanta: What to know if you want to convert a $5,000 shed from Costco
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Precious Price | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

It took Precious Price eight months and $35,000 to convert a 12-by-24-food shed into a tiny home in her backyard in Atlanta. Try hitting Ctrl + F to look for the terms "accessory dwelling unit" or "guest house" in your zoning code. Plumbing and electricity aren't a givenShed options typically aren't equipped with essential utilities like plumbing and electrical systems. If you want a floor with that Costco shed, you're already up to $6,000, even with the sale. And the interior build-out adds up with insulation, drywall, plumbing, electrical wiring, and furnishings.

Persons: Precious Price, Jeffrey Beard, I've Organizations: Costco, CNBC Locations: Atlanta

☆ I turned my garage into an apartment I rent out. It helps me afford retirement and almost paid off my mortgage.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Helen Boxwill, 77, refinanced her home to build an accessory dwelling unit on her New York property. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Their rent has helped me almost pay off my 30-year mortgage, and has covered property taxes and escrow. I keep rent pretty affordableI charge my tenants $1,100 a month in rent, which is very low for New York. I don't want to deal with kicking somebody out if they haven't paid rent or if they damage the home.

Persons: Helen Boxwill, refinanced, Boxwill, —, I’ve, weren't, There’s, I've, I'm, it's Organizations: Service Locations: New York, Ethiopia, Burundi, Huntington , New York, ADUs, Huntington, Long

☆ I regretted buying a home and now live out of 2 suitcases in a $60-a-night Airbnb. I've finally found my freedom, but it's not for everyone.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I had to resort to an iBuyer to sell the house quickly and get out, which meant I lost $100,000. There's an account called Living Big in a Tiny House that I always found fascinating. I always just thought, "That's a nice idea, but I'm not really into the RV lifestyle." I'm staying here for 30 days, and then I have another Airbnb lined up on the west side of Los Angeles. If you're someone who's able to work remotely and who loves freedom, I think this is really the way to go.

Persons: Stella Guan, Guan, —, I've, I'd, I'm, it'll, hasn't, It's Organizations: Service Locations: Los Angeles, LA, Washington, New York City, Europe, Asia, Balkans, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro

☆ New York City will pay homeowners up to $395,000 to build an extra dwelling in their garage or basement to help ease the housing shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

New York City unveiled a pilot program to help homeowners build accessory dwelling units. New York City just unveiled its newest effort, which will hand 15 homeowners up to $395,000 to build an additional apartment. The idea is to boost housing density in a city in desperate need of new housing. The proposal also aims to legalize ADU construction across much more of the city. New York City is facing an especially severe housing affordability crisis.

Persons: —, Eric Adams Organizations: New York State, Service, New York Times, York City, Big Apple Locations: York City, New York City, New York, York, California, Oregon

☆ I got a $20,000 grant to build a tiny home on my property. It was expensive to start, but I feel secure in my old age now.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jean Lowell, 75, needed a more accessible house and her daughter needed an affordable one. After getting a grant and refinancing her home, she built a $130,000 backyard tiny home to live in. Her daughter moved into the main home and Lowell is able to age in place on her property in Vermont. The other purpose was to try to provide a place for my husband and I to live at our old age. I feel secure in my old age now in a way that I did not before.

Persons: Jean Lowell, Lowell, —, I'd, didn't, Ray Tan Organizations: Service, Vermont Housing Locations: Vermont, Montpelier , Vermont, Montpelier

☆ A Gen Xer got $30,000 to build an extra apartment in her backyard. Renting it out makes paying her bills 'financially possible.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

She received a total of $30,000 from the state to build an ADU in her backyard to rent out. The program provides grants to eligible homeowners to build an additional housing unit on what was a single-family lot. Advertisement"I definitely needed that extra income that a rental unit provides," Leiken told Business Insider. Courtesy of Marni LeikenDespite the cost, Leiken said she's happy, noting that the additional rental income helps cover her monthly expenses. Beyond the rental income she's receiving, Leiken is pleased that she's also helping provide housing to locals who need it.

Persons: Marni Leiken, —, Marni, Leiken, she's Organizations: Service, Housing Authority, Business Locations: Montpelier , Vermont, Vermont, California, New York, Leiken's, Montpelier

☆ Financing a tiny home just got easier. Here's why.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A change in housing finance policy will make it easier for people to build ADUs. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt just got easier for many homeowners to build a tiny home on their property. Ryan O'Connell and Jakota Rivas, a California ADU grant recipient, in front of her ADU in California. Cities across the country — in red and blue states alike — have passed legislation that makes it easier to build. Laws like this, and a similar congressional bill, will help middle class homeowners build an ADU with more financial ease.

Persons: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, It's, —, Fannie, Freddie, Ryan O'Connell, O'Connell, Jakota Rivas, Eric Santucci, he's, Bill Organizations: Service, Administration, FHA Locations: California, Los Angeles, . California , Vermont, New York

☆ Three Californians got $40,000 to build tiny homes in their backyards. They share how it's made their lives better and easier.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Some California residents got $40,000 in grant money to build tiny homes on their properties. AdvertisementAdvertisementThousands of California homeowners got a $40,000 check from the state to build a tiny home in their backyard last year. California is reviving the ADU grant program again, but details are being worked out. Altogether, we paid $124,000 out of pocket, got the $40,000 from the state, and a forgivable loan of $67,500. I paid for the majority of the project with my savings, and the rest with the $40,000 California ADU grant.

Persons: —, Los Angeles —, Dan Romo, Daniel Romo, Kristin Romo, Dan, Kristin, Jakota Rivas, Eric Santucci, Rivas, shutdowns, wasn't, it's, we're, Rosario Organizations: Service, Housing, HPP, California ADU Locations: California, Orange County, Napa, Los Angeles, Whittier , California, New Hampshire, Napa , California, Northern California, Napa County, Rosario, Los Angeles , California

☆ Insider Today: Amazon's secret search plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementThe retail giant is overhauling its search bar with ChatGPT-like features that'll act as a sort of concierge for customers, offering expert answers and product suggestions. Dubbed Project Nile, Amazon's top leaders, including CEO Andy Jassy, view the new search bar as a top priority. AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, Amazon's overhauled search bar will arguably be the most impactful implementation of generative AI from Big Tech for US consumers thus far. insider intelligenceIn reading Eugene's piece, three follow-up questions immediately came to mind:How will Amazon sellers try and game the new search bar? However, Joseph Sirosh serves as VP of Amazon Search and Alexa Shopping, suggesting Alexa could get a much-needed boost from the new search bar.

Persons: —, Mike Blake, Alyssa Powell, Amazon's, Andy Jassy, Eugene Kim, Joseph Sirosh, Alexa, TikTok, Ben Sun, Anu Duggal, Susan Lyne, Josh Wolfe, Matt Harris, Jillian Williams, Melissa Kwan, Sergey Brin, Brin, Hugo Herrera, Sam Bankman, Fried, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Reuters, Nile, Microsoft, Big Tech, Alexa, Amazon Search, Getty, Wall Street, BBG Ventures, Lux Capital, Apple, Bain Capital Ventures, Cowboy Ventures, Prosecutors, BET, MLB, American League and National League, Houston Astros Locations: Atlanta, Sonoma , California, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ Want to build a tiny home in your backyard? Here's how you can finance it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Backyard tiny homes, called ADUs, are becoming increasingly popular. AdvertisementAdvertisementBackyard tiny homes, called accessory dwelling units or ADUs, are becoming more popular as some state and local governments roll back zoning restrictions. That's because government-backed mortgage providers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set the strict standard for all other mortgage lenders. Sometimes, when financing an ADU loan, programs like RCUs may consider the property's worth after the ADU is constructed when underwriting the loan. Clark and her husband moved into the main home, and Sandoval-Clark and her family live in the ADU.

Persons: —, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Freddie, Ryan O'Connell, you've, Peter Bohler, Suszi Lurie McFadden, O'Connell, RCU, RenoFi, it's, Katie Sandoval Clark, Marshall, Barbara Clark, Mother Barbara Clark, Katie Sandoval, Clark, Sandoval Organizations: Service, CAST, —, Denver Post, Redwood Credit Union, ADUs, Area Locations: California, — New York , California, Vermont, Denver , Colorado, Napa County , California

☆ I moved into an ADU in my California backyard. It allowed me to leave my 9-to-5 and I even save $5,000 a month.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In 2019, Julie Fornasero and her husband, Tim Logan, decided to rent out their primary home. The couple moved into a 500-square-foot accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, they put in their backyard. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . My husband, Tim, is a technology consultant. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn 2019, a tenant moved into the main house and we moved into the ADU.

Persons: Julie Fornasero, Tim Logan, —, Tim, Marin, Logan Organizations: Service Locations: Marin County , California, San Francisco, California

☆ A real-estate investor who's written multiple books shares 2 ways to build wealth through rentals — including one that can deliver financial independence in 15 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sort of like in the '90s, the trend was to sell workout equipment that was easy to use," said Greene, who says he owns rental properties in several states. Last week, Greene shared with Insider two tips from his book that new investors can follow build wealth. 2 'incredibly simple' strategiesThe first is house hacking, or renting out part of the property you live on to a tenant. When the second property is paid off, you can then pull equity out of that one, and so on. "You'd just live off of the money that pull out of your properties if you work really hard for 15 years."

Persons: David Greene doesn't, Greene, aren't

Cocoa beans are pictured next to a warehouse at the village of Atroni, near Sunyani, Ghana April 11, 2019. A weakened cedi currency and a lower farmgate cocoa price in Ghana in the 2022/2023 season, compared with neighbouring Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower, saw beans smuggled to there and to Togo. Fiifi Boafo, head of public affairs at regulator COCOBOD regulator told Reuters on Saturday that Ghana is targeting an output of 820,000 metric tons for the 2023/2024 season after the increased farmgate price. Boafo added that Ghana is planning to borrow $1.2 billion for its annual cocoa purchases. Cameroon, another top West African cocoa producer, and the world's fourth biggest, on Thursday raised its farmgate cocoa price by 25% to around 1,500 ($2.45) CFA franc per kg for the 2023/2024 season.

Persons: Ange Aboa, Nana Akufo, Addo, Ghana cedi, , Leticia Adu Yankey, Fiifi Boafo, Maxwell Adombila, Bate Felix, Clelia Oziel, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Ghana cedi, Ghana Civil Society Cocoa, Reuters, CFA, Central African CFA, Thomson Locations: Atroni, Sunyani, Ghana, Akufo, West Africa, London, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon

☆ YIMBY Movement Is Winning: Build More Houses, Lower Home Prices, Rents
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Eliza Relman | Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

The adherents of the "Yes In My Backyard," or YIMBY, movement believe that America's housing crisis comes down to the fundamental tension between supply and demand. Today, nearly 75% of residentially-zoned land in the US is restricted to single-family housing — detached homes designed for one family. Folks are like, 'Oh, we're in a housing crisis for the very first time. Ground zero for the modern YIMBY movement was California, where sky-high home prices forced people to reconsider their attitudes toward development. The city didn't allow new multiunit buildings to be taller or wider than the single-family homes they replaced, making construction less financially attractive to developers.

Persons: Nolan Gray, YIMBYism, Sonja Trauss, Trauss, YIMBYs, NIMBYs, Gray, I'm, —, Bill, They've, Tayfun Coskun, Muhammad Alameldin, Emily Hamilton, We're unwinding, Jenny Schuetz, Greg Gianforte, California YIMBY, Republican Sen, Todd Young, Democratic Sen, Brian Schatz, Eliza Relman, Kelsey Neubauer Organizations: San, San Francisco Bay Area, Urban Institute, Twitter, of Regional Planning, Public, Cato Institute, University of California, Berkeley Terner Center, Housing, George Mason University, Conservative, Brookings Institute, Republican, Todd Young of Indiana, Democratic, Hawaii Locations: California, San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, I'm, Los Angeles County, Florida, Utah, Minneapolis, Oregon, Austin, Dallas, Seattle, Portland , Oregon, Denver, New York, Texas, YIMBYism, We're, Bozeman, Montana, Miami

☆ A California homeowner fixed up her converted garage and rents it on Airbnb. It now pays for her mortgage.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Selma Hepp renovated a converted garage in her Burbank backyard and now rents it on Airbnb. The state has passed a series of laws allowing for, and in some cases helping pay for, ADU construction. Courtesy of Selma HeppEighteen months into the process, Hepp finally had drawings from a different architect. During the course of construction, Hepp started dating someone new, and they ended up buying a home in Mid City, a neighborhood in Central Los Angeles. She also managed to refinance her mortgage a few times over the past several years and pays $2,700 a month, which is now covered by her ADU's rental income.

Persons: Selma Hepp, Hepp's, Hepp, It's Organizations: Service, Terner Center, Housing Innovation, University of California, Construction, Hollywood, Universal, Burbank Studios, Warner Bros . Locations: Burbank, Wall, Silicon, Burbank , California, Croatia, California, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Mid City, Central Los Angeles

☆ California gave us $40,000 to turn our garage into a tiny home. There was a lot of paperwork, but it lets us live next to our grandkids.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Daniel Romo, 61, and his wife Kristin, 63, got a $40,000 grant from California to build an ADU. Dan: We live in Whittier in Southern California and we just transformed our garage into an accessory dwelling unit. At that time, the only way you could get the grant was you had to go through a state-approved vendor. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, our middle daughter and son-in-law and grandson moved in — my daughter's second child was due any day. They were determined that they were going to bring their daughter home to the ADU, not to our house.

Persons: Daniel Romo, Kristin, Dan, Kristin Romo, Kristin Romo Kristin, YouTube — Ryan O'Connell's, Ryan, Kristin Romo Dan Organizations: Service, YouTube, HPP Locations: California, Wall, Silicon, Whittier , California, Whittier, Southern California, New Hampshire, —

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