All Forum Posts by: Zachary Moore

@Whitney Hill thanks for the feedback. The adu in the SFH is done- no work required. I just need to create a floor plan to show the county planners the existing modifications. For the shop/garage conversion, I'm going to reach out to contractors our eakyir recommended in Solvang to get an idea of the scope of things, but other than the plumbing and electrical, I plan on doing all the work myself. I'll see what they say and look into draftsman. Any recs for contractors the work with diy investors in north Santa Barbara county?

I have two properties with currently un-permitted ADUs (

1. 600ft^2 of a 2100ft^2 SFH in the county of Santa Barbara CA. It has been a functioning ADU for 6 years and there were no modifications to the exterior and only a gas line added for a stove and dry walling up and doorway in the interior. I'd like to get it permitting while things have more streamlined.
2. An outbuilding (workshop and detached garage) on a SFH also in SB county that is already plumbed with a 1/2 bath, wired with a 30 A sub-panel, and has finished ceiling/walls in the workshop. It needs a kitchen, a couple of windows added and permanently closing the garage door.

What software programs do you recommend to put together designs for these ADU's that I could take to the county planning commission. Also, is there a place to find examples of construction plans for similar projects, so I can better understand to scope of what is required. I assume I can go look stuff up with the county, but things are still locked down around here.

Santa Barbara is tough market for cash flow for small time investors. We were lucky enough to get in on a 3 properties from 2008-2014, but have sat on the sidelines since, in an effort to gain equity and improve cash flow.  We are currently looking north county SB, SY valley, but not much pencils out well for cash flow and if they do, multiple offers abound.  We are going to keep looking an hope the market slows a bit and the rates don't drop.  

We are also looking out of state, but focusing on areas where we have family or some meaningful connection.  But out of state is a last resort for us - both work full time with young kids.  Happy to talk further if you want to DM me.