Keep parents or adult kids close — together, but with privacy for everyone.
Let the second unit help cover the mortgage with income month after month.
A home office, studio, or guest suite — whatever the season of life calls for.
A few of the families I've helped, in their words.
Space for family, a place to work, or room to rent.
- Detached ADU — a standalone building on the same lot as the main house, either newly built or converted from an existing structure like a detached garage. The most private and flexible option.
- Attached ADU — a unit added onto or carved out of the main house (a converted attached garage, a basement, or a room addition). It shares a wall with the main home but has its own separate entrance.
- Junior ADU (JADU) — a smaller unit, up to 500 sq ft, created entirely within the existing walls of the house, with its own independent exterior entrance. A compact, cost-effective option.
Yes — a permitted ADU can be rented long-term, and in North County San Diego that can bring in meaningful monthly income toward your mortgage. Actual rent depends on size, location, and finishes; I’m happy to run real numbers on any home you’re eyeing.
Absolutely. ADUs are ideal for multigenerational living — parents, adult kids, or guests get their own private space while staying close. Same roof, everyone keeps their independence.
Whether an ADU is permitted and legal makes a real difference — it affects the home's value, your insurance, and whether you're allowed to rent it out. I check the permit status on every home you're interested in, so you're never left guessing. And with California's ADU rules loosening in recent years, these homes are more in demand than ever. (For the official details, see the San Diego County ADU guide.)
A second, self-contained living space on the same lot as the main house — a converted garage, a backyard cottage, or an attached suite with its own entrance, kitchen, and bath. One property, two places to live.