ADU - Add value strategy

[Matheu Santos]

Dear investors, I hope you’re doing great. I would appreciate your educated and more importantly experienced opinion on this matter. 

I’m looking to house hack in the Tampa Bay area, however prices are extremely high and affordability is at its lowest. Especially, for a father of two like me. 

In January of 2024 I’ll finish my active duty contract with the Air Force and leave Germany to start a life in Florida Tampa Bay  Area (Riverview preferably). My strategy would be:

- Find a 3 car garage single family

- The garage has to share a wall with the guest bathroom

- Convert the house into a 1 car garage by adding an ADU (The guest bathroom will become the ADU's bathroom, significantly lowering costs)

- Parking should not be an issue. Since the house was originally a 3 car garage, the spacious driveway will provide enough space for parking. 

Very straightforward hopefully. My only concern are ADU regulations and getting the permits to make this possible. Please give me your opinion. I appreciate you taking the time!

[Allan Smith]

Do you really want to chop up a house and turn it into Frankenstein? Why not just find a house that already has a mother in law quarters, or lends it self to becoming one like having a bathroom in the basement already? 

Plus a house with a bathroom next to garage is going to have a half bath not a full. Plus most garages step down from living area, so you'd be chopping up key parts of the homes framing to create headspace for a door and stairs.

An ADU is a separate unit attached to the house btw. Not a converted area of house. It's more official, I guess you could say.

but even still, your biggest challenge will be zoning. Most zonings are for one dwelling, so if you pull permits, they'll say no. If you try to be sneaky and tell them full plan, they won't let you run any plumbing.

okay so all that said, if you want to house hack, try this. Look for a duplex, a house with a walkout basement, a bonus area, or a tall wide attic. Or just build a 400 sf addition on to back of house. Pulling permits is up to you, most people wouldn't.