All Forum Posts by: Aaron Sweat

I completely agree—there are many ways to integrate good design into a more accessible space without increasing little to any cost. As long as you stay under four units, you're not governed by the Fair Housing Act, which has some accessibility requirements. Just to clarify, ADA requirements generally apply to commercial spaces or federally/state-subsidized housing, while accessibility requirements can apply to both public and private entities. I often use "ADA" as a blanket term, but that can be misleading.

I've made my Unit C (part of a three-unit property) more accessible, but it's not ADA compliant, nor would I claim that, nor am I forced to since I'm under 4 units. However, it can now better accommodate someone with a disability, and they can add any equipment needed to further improve accessibility. For instance, I didn’t install grab bars in the shower, since more penetrations can lead to more failure points based on my experience. Instead, I installed a curbless shower, which required fully waterproofing the bathroom. Helps with wheelchair access, but was more costly to waterproof the bathroom and not just the shower.

Exciting reads if you so choose: 

https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/destech/fairhous...

https://up.codes/viewer/california/ca-building-code-2022/cha...

Cheers!

 Thanks Melanie for your feedback! Thank goodness for "existing non conforming!"

Thank you for the feedback, everyone. Great perspectives. If more information were available to developers and homeowners about ADA compliance and units, we would all benefit. Currently, the CBC mandates a percentage of new dwelling units to be ADA compliant, but I wonder if these units are quickly filled or if there is excess in certain regions. For those of us who have most of the necessary elements, why wouldn't we diversify our units? There is a lot to consider.

I believe in unit diversity. While I've explored full ADA compliance, we don't have the space or budget to achieve it completely. ADA units are more expensive and require more from the permitting process to construction. Therefore, I will make the units as close to ADA-accessible as possible with the least additional cost.

Thank you Andrew! If I ever get back to TX to do a deal I’ll reach out to you. 

@Chris Seveney thank you for the quick reply. Sounds like we should connect to discuss details. Do lend in CA?

Is it feasible to obtain a loan or a good old boy agreement where a lender offers 100% financing for both the purchase price and construction costs at hard money rates, secured by a second position on the borrower's other properties? For example (using general numbers), a borrower might receive $300,000 for purchasing a property and $100,000 for construction and first on the property under construction and secured by a second on other properties they own. The borrower would then refinance within 6-12 months, repaying $440,000 (including a 10% return), allowing the lender to earn $40,000.

Is this still applicable? I'm looking for USDA loan options as well.

Thank you for the feedback Melanie. Some upgrades afterwards would be very costly.