What is an Additional Dwelling Unit?
Written by Wena Roeloffze, REALTOR and Lifestyle Expert, Owner of Realty Club 74, brokered by Coldwell Banker Realty.
An additional dwelling unit refers to a secondary residential unit that is added to an existing property. Also known as an ADU, it is a self-contained living space that can be either attached or detached from the primary residence. ADUs are designed to provide additional living space while maintaining the privacy and independence of the occupants. These units often include a bedroom, bathroom, living area, and a small kitchen.
ADUs have gained popularity in recent years as a flexible housing option that can accommodate various needs, including housing extended family members, generating rental income, or providing housing for caretakers or personal assistants. They can also offer a solution for homeowners seeking to maximize the potential of their property without expanding the existing structure.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) offers numerous benefits to homeowners and communities alike. From a community perspective, ADUs contribute to the mitigation of housing shortages and affordability challenges by increasing the overall housing stock. They allow for infill development and support sustainable urban growth, as they are typically built within already established neighborhoods. Overall, the benefits of an ADU include increased living space, financial opportunities, and improved housing availability for individuals and communities.
Right now the real estate market is slightly challenging, siting higher interest rates than what was expected for the 4th quarter of 2023 and inventory that has been lagging behind the market needs. If you are a homeowner who needs to have more space in your current home, an additional living space could be a great solution if your zoning and lot requirements will make this a viable option.
In Appleton, WI, there is a company called Linked Living Homes and they design, manufacture and “install” your additional living space. These could be attached or detached and they handle all the zoning and permit requirements. This is not an advertisement for them and we will not receive any referral fees when you click the link. Realty Club 74 is very passionate about real estate and about offering solutions to homeowners locally. We investigate and research everything on the topic of real estate to keep you informed and up to date with new developments.
We are happy to answer your questions about ADU’s and if there will be equitable value for your specific home. Schedule an in-person, no obligation walkthrough of your property to establish if this will be a good fit for you and your requirements. We service the following counties: Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Racine.
Also, if you know of another company that performs this kind of work, please let us know. We love connecting with like-minded real estate professionals. You can send us an email here.
Next steps:
Book a 30 minute call to tell us more about your property and requirements.
Schedule your in-person no-obligation walkthrough of your home.
Receive your free property solution report.
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