Susan Pryor, owner and ADU specialist with Curated ADU Homes, joins host Carol Morgan on this week’s Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio episode. Pryor discusses Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in this podcast segment.
ADU Lifestyle
Whether you are looking for multigenerational housing or an additional rental home on your property, an ADU is a great solution! These smaller residences are separate from the main house but feature all the necessary lifestyle components.
“So, it has a kitchen, bathrooms and has its own separate front door,” said Pryor. “I say you have to have your own doorbell.”
Pryor often works with people to transform basements and garages into private ADU residences, while some projects are stand-alone on the owners’ properties. A typical ADU is between 400 and 1,000 square feet.
She notes that ADU residences are popular for multigenerational living because they allow families to stay together and save money. If those loved ones were to put their retirement savings into a retirement home, it would drain the fund very quickly and cause a potential financial burden. The same goes for adult children who want to move out without putting their hard-earned money into a $2,000-a-month apartment that jeopardizes safety and comfort. Building a smaller residence on your property keeps them close by and allows them to save more in the long run.
“If we were going to try to build a house next door for mom, you know, that'd be a million-dollar project,” said Pryor. “If we build it on the property where she is, or we build a home addition to the property where she is, then it's much more affordable.”
Curated ADU – From Concept to Permit
When Pryor started Curated ADU Homes, she wanted to make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs on their properties. That’s why she works alongside homeowners to research zoning and highlight any municipalities, such as trees on the property. Next, she assists them with the necessary permits, and then the project can begin construction. Depending on your county, ADUs can be built by a primary resident of the home or an investor.
Pryor also owns a mortgage company, further adding to the wealth of knowledge she can offer clients.
“Getting everybody organized is what I've done for the last 20 years. This is just a piece of that, which is just setting expectations with the client so that they know what to expect, helping them understand the numbers and the finances of it, because I think that gets lost all the time, and then helping them manage the process,” said Pryor. “It's super rewarding as an add on to the mortgage business, because I get to know the client so much deeper.”
Key Benefits of ADUs & Popular Features
ADU residences not only add more room for the family but are also fantastic investment strategies in urban settings. If an older home is in desperate need of renovation, investors can add value by sprucing up the main home and adding on an ADU for rent. This solution benefits investors financially and offers the potential of affordable housing for Atlanta workers.
Pryor recommends a few things to always include in your ADU residence:
High ceilings: Incorporating higher ceilings in the unit will give it a bright, open feeling. In one of her most recent projects, Pryor helped get an ADU approved with 20-foot ceilings.
Washer/dryer hookups: Even if you do not intend to have a washer and dryer in your unit, it’s essential to have the hookups installed for better resale value.
Go full electrical: It can get pricey to pull gas from the main home, so it’s a smart choice to invest in electric appliances for your ADU residence.
Curated ADU Homes offers pre-designed ADU models that make the construction process more straightforward for homeowners. The plans can be executed as is or even transformed with your ideas! Pryor uses the example of a past client who needed an accessible residence for an adult child with a medical condition.