Just NIMBYism.Cost per square foot depends on your level of finishes, density, and construction timeline.

Any other recommendations on how to get my foot in the door?

For example, in communities where I know the rebuild cost is approximately $250 per square foot, I see those estimators are often under $200 per square foot. 

During this time, my dad was in hospice, three kids, I had just started a new job and my child was diagnosed with T1 diabetes. 

There is nothing like setting foot on a project to see the progress first hand.

There are countless stories of the loving family pit bull killing a child or turning on their owner, with no previous signs of aggression.

We got quotes form several builders - $195-225k before fixtures and furnishings (so assume $220-250k all in) - for a 430 sqft ADU above a 430 sqft garageWell, at $512 to $581 cost per square foot I would think that kind of improvement would not add comparable equity. 

Just be honest with the lender that you are shopping lenders and they should put their best foot forward.

Foot traffic or vehicle traffic?

Typically doesn’t comply with footing/foundation requirements, vapor barrier in the slab, need to run water to the unit, you’ll need to comply with a number of electrical requirements, insulation, separating the garage space from dwelling and many other requirements.