For practitioners in the real estate industry, the biggest challenge is not just the difficult work, high risks, or immense pressure, but the necessity to learn to let go of complete control over outcomes.

It can take a year or more to complete an ADU.

Tenant sounds like a turd.

I now completely understand the differences, and while consuming real estate content for the past week on this topic, I have also been leaning towards multifamily and this further cements that.

Hi @Charles Fay it sounds like you are in a very good spot with finances. 

They can and will fine you heavily and order you to remove it completely if you don't go to them first and ask for an inspection and do what they want to make it legal and permitted.Don't try to "get away with it".Be a businessman and fix the problem the right way.

Does it need to be completed before end of the year to use it when I do taxes in April 2025? 

They usually sound good, but give very little practical advice and make it sound easier than it is.

I am not sure what type of real estate investing you're considering, but it sounds like, with your family and busy job, you won't have a lot of time to be hands-on or personally involved. 

Also - it sounds as if there may be a deficiency here.