The New Avenue blog
More than decade of content on the things we love: your home
Plans for an accessory building with laundry and half bath in Oakland
A homeowner in Oakland wanted to add space to her home that could be used as storage, a guest room, a laundry room, or a home office. New Avenue created this accessory building to enhance her property, making her home into a place that better suits her busy life.
For many homeowners, adding an accessory structure like this makes it possible to stay in the neighborhood they love. It’s an efficient way to add square footage to your home without the expense and difficulty of buying a new home in the area.
New Net Zero Energy ADU in Berkeley
This ADU is loaded with extraordinary features including solar energy, an incredible storage loft, an accessible bathroom, and luxurious finishes.
Converting a garage into a guest suite or rental unit in Menlo Park
Erin’s new attached ADU can be used as a guest suite, additional space for the homeowner, a home for family, or a rental unit. This kind of ADU rents for $2,500 or more per month, which will be enough to pay for the project and additional expenses such as helping with the mortgage on the main home, travel, education, leisure activities, or retirement.
Can I add two accessory dwellings to my home in California?
When California passed AB 68, among other groundbreaking legislation related to ADUs, we were thrilled. The new laws gave California homeowners more rights related to adding ADUs to their property, including the right to add two accessory dwellings. So for most homeowners, the answer is yes, you can add two ADUs. Here’s a look at some plans for adding two ADUs developed for a client in Berkeley.
Photos and plans for an accessory dwelling in Albany, CA
The homeowners’ New Avenue design professional created a home with one bedroom, a bathroom, a washer/dryer, a kitchen, and a living area with bamboo flooring. The family will be able to bring in around $3,000 per month in rental income. The ADU will pay for itself in no time, and they can also use the income to pay for the mortgage on the main home, education, travel, or anything else they may need.
Building an accessory dwelling for a family compound in Orinda
New Avenue assessed the property to help the homeowners determine the best course of action. We found that the old ADU was built in 1932, at the same time as the main home. Structural damage, a weak foundation, and asbestos made the original cottage unsuitable as a home.
The family opted to build a new ADU. New Avenue’s experienced design professional created an accessory dwelling that fit beautifully on the property.
Building a garage apartment in Berkeley
Many people replace their detached garages with ADUs, scrapping the garage entirely. Others say, “Why not both?” and add an ADU over their garage. For this project in Berkeley, the homeowners contacted New Avenue to create an entirely new two-car garage with an apartment over it. Here's the design.
Replacing a patio with an accessory dwelling in San Jose
A nice one-bedroom home with a study like this will pay for itself in rental income. In San Jose, this rental home would bring in $3500 or more in rent. That’s enough to make mortgage payments on both the ADU and the main home.
Project of the Week: a huge ADU in El Cerrito
This successful entrepreneur knows a good opportunity when she sees one. That's why she decided to add an ADU and live in it herself. (She plans to rent out her main house.) While she didn’t feel like she needed the additional income, she knew it would be a great investment.
Plans for a 700-square-foot ADU in San Jose
The home includes two bedrooms, a kitchen, a full bathroom, a washer/dryer, a living room, an attic, and plenty of storage space. A sun tunnel and plenty of windows provide natural light, making the home feel spacious and energizing.
Property tax increase when converting a shed into an accessory dwelling in Berkeley
More space means more flexibility, a lifelong home, and more rental income. Here’s what happens to your taxes when you add an ADU like this one.
3 Inspiring Custom Homes in California
These three modern residences were designed by architect Randolph Ruiz, part of New Avenue’s creative design team.
Property tax increase when adding a one-bedroom, one-bathroom ADU with kitchen in Oakland
When you add an accessory dwelling, you’ll see a tax increase equal to one-half of one percent of the total project cost. For this type of project, that means a tax increase of $1,500 to $2,000 per year. Considering the amount the family is saving per month on housing for the owner’s parents, this amount of tax increase is no problem. Should the family rent the ADU out in the future, they’ll be able to get $2500 to $3000 per month in rent. That’s enough to pay for the ADU and the tax increase, leaving plenty of rental income left over for the homeowner’s needs.
What is the increase in property taxes when building an accessory dwelling unit in Mountain View?
We generally see a property tax increase of one-half of one percent of the cost of the project. Design, permitting, engineering, and construction for this project totaled $657,356. Once the project is complete, the homeowners expect to see a property tax increase of around 3,286.78. The main home will not be reassessed when the ADU is assessed.
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