Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit Legal/Worth it

[Janeea Wright]

My husband and I are educating ourselves and wanting to get started in real estate investing. (We'll also be first time home buyers.) In particular we would like to do some form of house hacking but multi-family home availability in Wayne county (excluding Detroit) and Washtenaw county seems scarce and even more difficult trying to find one to fit our needs with having young children. We were thinking of purchasing a home at a low enough price point where we could build a basement apartment. Are accessory dwelling units legal in the Belleville, Canton, Ypsilanti area? Do you think it's worthwhile to build an ADU if legal to rent to a tenant? Or would it be better to buy and hold a SFH that we could rent after a couple of years if we can't find a multi-family suitable for our needs?

[Jonathan R McLaughlin]

@Janeea Wright check the town zoning ordinances under ADU and they will tell you. A SF with an ADU can be great for house hacking and most areas allow great discretion as long as you are owner occupying. You can always convert if you move out for more SF on the single or maybe the zoning will allow a 2F at some point. Like everything, don't overpay but it can be a great play.