The Benefits of Backyard Homes

ADUs – also called in-law units, granny flats, or backyard homes – are a growing trend in California. A small living space on your property comes with a host of functionalities and benefits!

Now that California has relaxed its laws on ADUs, it is simpler than ever to add one to your property. Whether you are upgrading a garage or building a whole new unit on your property, you may find that it is more cost-effective, quicker, and easier than you think. Zoning laws have been loosened, so getting a permit is easy in many neighborhoods.

Making the Most Out of Your Property

· Guest House

An ADU can become a guest house if you enjoy having friends and family stay with you. With a detached space, you and your guests can both have plenty of privacy while still being close.

· Space for Family

As the names “in-law unit” and “granny flat” suggest, ADUs are frequently used for family. It’s a great, cost-effective place for aging parents to live because they can be close to you while still having their own privacy and independence. Similarly, ADUs are a cost-effective and helpful transition for young adult children who are just starting out on their own.

· Downsize Onsite

In some cases, empty nesters may not use their big house, but don’t want to give it up. With high real estate prices, young families often can’t afford to buy in the neighborhood where they grew up. For these reasons, some parents are choosing to downsize on their own property and allow their son or daughter take over the big house with their growing family.

· Work or Hobbies

If you work from home, you can use your backyard unit as an office or studio. It can become a quiet place to get work done and maintain your work/life balance. Or, it can be a private exercise or artist studio.

· Rent it Out

Your ADU can even become an additional source of income if you decide to rent it out. Depending on the laws in your city you may be able to rent your ADU on Airbnb, VRBO, or another short-term rental platform. Or, you can rent it long-term. You will be right on the property, so you’ll be able to manage your rental unit easily.

Adding a Backyard Home With Ease

If you are looking to invest less time and money into building a backyard home, there are beautiful design plans that are functional and include all that you need. At Drafting Cafe, we offer three affordable, quality plan options ranging from compact to spacious. Our pre-designed ADUs pack as much functionality and privacy as possible into a limited amount of space. They come with different exterior and interior finish options to choose from so you can customize them to your taste. We make it simple to get the ADU of your dreams built right in your backyard!

Of course, if you want a unique, fully custom design, our team can design your ADU down to the last detail. While this takes longer and is more expensive, it’s worth it to many homeowners who want a custom approach. We look forward to working with you on your new backyard home!