All Forum Posts by: Drew Leo

Just installed (2) types of out of the box wireless cameras systems (wired and wireless).  Budget & deterrence is the factor.  Eufy by Anker was $200 for 2 cameras, $150 for wired flood light  cams.  These are good and the newer versions/models had facial recognition that snap shots zoomed in faces and sends those faces to your phone which is better than a screen shot of the entire screen because you'll end of going to viewing footage on other notifications (something is at side gate).  There are wired simple Wyze Cameras that go for $25 + $20 if you need longer cables to power the unit or weather proof housing.  If you can hide them under the eaves / under protection, you're good.  Add $12 memory card each camera, completes the system.  So I spent $800 on (4) eufy cams , solid, easy, good tech, $180 for (6) Wyze Cams. 

You'll need to decide if you require high def/high quality cameras and which location.  Mix high quality with general quality to build a system.  Yes it would be great to have 1 system but they both do what I need and I didn't spend $1K.  Also would you have more coverage/cameras or better footage?  Having both increasing the price.  I'd use that extra savings for other issues on the property.

Eufy Anker Security Cameras are pretty good.  It may not be necessary however their shoe size camera can go on for about 1 year before battery needs charging.  Lower tier models would be 3 months.  Night camera is good but getting license plates does require high end cameras that are in the 4K recording.  Note that the higher quality lens/cameras will record 'deeper' and getting small details the size of a book requires higher end cameras.  Unfortunately most of the systems require internet signal/ electricity to power the router/modem.

So a main house has solar panels and produces about 10-15% over than the needed. No battery. A 1200sqft detached ADU would prob consume 25-30% the rate of the main house making it about approx 15% lacking in producing enough power for equal production to usage on the entire property. It would be a undue financial restriction for solar on the ADU to produce that 15%. Think I would be successful to petition this requirement?

@Rob B. Who was your prop Mgmt in Fresno. I like to avoid them

You could be right.  What I saw with my eyes could be just a small local in improvement.

You may consider modular or prefab designs.  They appear to save some cost but if the 2nd story is unlike the 1st floor than it's custom.  Wish it wasn't because those projects appear to be so perfect to do a 2-story.  Plus I think 2 units not make how small can fetch higher rents than a large 1200qft single adu.  

Based on some snags on a few ADU ventures, above average cities (wealth, education, above average home prices) are against ADU s thus if there is a clear description of a rule, cities will follow it to prevent building. Sorry to be a downer but the general knowledge are that cities are notoriously anti-progress or new things thus most would bet you can't build in front. Exception is to file an exception but now it's another hurdle the owner is putting up.

Very nice reply. Interesting that the type of housing matters in that area. Under assumption when decades of real estate prices in Silicon Valley are overly inflated, there is a difference when it comes to condos and townhomes. 

Thanks for the response. It is helpful since you have real world examples. How much is rent in Santa Clarita and those tiny condo space?