What are the good points of having an ADU or Casita?
- An ADU or Casita may make your rear yard seem more alive and vibrant.
- If a family member is living in the ADU, then having extended family near can be heartwarming, and a feeling of promoting a secure family.
- You might rent out the unit for a college student or an independent senior for additional income.
- Your property may increase in value as there is additional square footage of living space as well as possible income.
- You may be downsizing and live in the ADU yourself, and renting out the main house, creating a higher income.
- If you require, or may in the future, some type of care-giver, then having a place for them to live could be an attraction to sweeten the deal for having care close by.
What are the downsides to having an ADU or Casita?
- An ADU or Casita may make your rear yard seem a lot smaller.
- If you plan on renting out the unit, then you should allow for some private outdoor space for the occupants of the ADU. This may feel a bit of encroachment into your own privacy and enjoyment of your yard.
- The process of designing and building an ADU takes months of time.
- The cost of building an ADU or Casita can be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
- Your relationship with neighbors might suffer if there is more congestion in the neighborhood.
Hiring an architect to design your casita or ADU works best if you select someone that has local knowledge of your specific area.
Richard Esteb is an architect who specializes in design of ADUs and Casitas in Tucson, Oro Valley, Saddlebrooke, Sun City Oro Valley, Pima County or anywhere in southern Arizona.