What if the answer to West Michigan's—and America's—housing shortage isn't massive new developments, but small homes tucked into the neighborhoods we already live in?
In this episode of the Rental Property Owner & Real Estate Investor Podcast, Brian Hamrick talks with Nathan Biller, accredited ADU specialist and co-founder of My Backyard Build. Nathan has built his own ADU, permitted several more, and is helping shape local policy as a member of Grand Rapids' ADU Task Force.
You'll learn:
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What exactly an ADU is (granny flats, carriage houses, basement conversions, detached units, and more).
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Why investors should consider ADUs—from the math behind rental income to the 1% rule and reduced land costs.
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Local and national trends—how California, Portland, Seattle, and Denver have embraced ADUs, and what's happening in Michigan cities like Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Traverse City.
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Financing and cost considerations—real numbers on what it takes to build an ADU and how investors are paying for them.
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Practical challenges and solutions—utilities, zoning, setbacks, neighbor relations, and historic district restrictions.
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Future opportunities—policy changes and task force recommendations that could make ADUs more accessible and profitable.
Whether you call them granny flats, backyard cottages, or carriage houses, ADUs are becoming one of the most practical solutions to today's housing crisis—and a smart investment strategy for rental property owners.
Find out more:
https://www.mibackyardbuild.com/
https://www.nathanbiller.com/
Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.
https://www.livegreenlocal.com
And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.
https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com
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