ADU in a Beautiful Oakland Neighborhood

Turnkey Project Cost Today = $344,000
Size = 515 sf

A Berkeley scientist living in a wonderful community in Oakland wants to stay forever. To make it happen, he plans to create rental income before downsizing and moving into an ADU.

We understand why this homeowner wants to stick around. 

Across from a local public elementary school and a few blocks from the Head Royce School, this is a super diverse community. Plus, it’s up in the hills, so many homes nearby have amazing views of the entire Bay Area.

This neighborhood is the perfect combination of nature and the city. It’s not as far away as the true suburban neighborhoods with cul-de-sacs, but the homes here offer yards, trees, and easy access to the outdoors. You can actually ride horses nearby and even mountain bike right from your home.

When the news folks talk about people moving out of cities like San Francisco, we may think they’re headed to Texas or Florida, but it’s actually neighborhoods like these that people are moving to. And they’re building ADUs like this one to fund their homes and lives.

This home is one bedroom with custom cabinets, European appliances (they make taller, skinnier fridges, for example), hardwood floors throughout, wood windows, and energy efficient heating and cooling via a mini split heat pump. 

The entry is on the side and makes the ADU feel like it has its own front yard, so the residents can enjoy privacy in their outdoor space.

The homeowner will be able to live in the main home and rent out the ADU for now. Later, he’ll move into the ADU and rent out the main home. The rental income will pay for the mortgages on both the main home and the ADU. Once the mortgages are paid off, that income will go toward retirement, education, hobbies, travel, or anything else the homeowner may need.