Years ago I showed a couple of condos that each had an ADU. What’s an ADU? It is an accessory dwelling unit and something the City of Portland is very much in favor of.
ADU Accessory Dwelling Units In Portland
These particular condos were in an unincorporated area of Portland and were in a typical condo complex. At both ends of the complex each unit had an ADU, which in this case was a studio apartment. However, even at that both units were different. At one end was a unit with the studio apartment that was attached to the other units, while at the other end, the second unit was a free-standing home with the studio apartment above the garage. They were still considered condos but one was attached and the other wasn’t, yet both units had ADU’s.
ADU’S
ADU Accessory Dwelling Units In Portland
Stephen Smith of Design Build Portland recently discussed the concept of ADU (accessory dwelling units) in Portland.
“An ADU is what our urban planners in Portland call a mother-in-law apartment. It is an attached or detached structure that can be a maximum of 800sf. It can be a small house in the backyard of a larger house. It can be a garage apartment or it can be a basement or attic conversion.
The city of Portland loves ADU’s because they increase city density which discourages urban sprawl, and the city has temporarily waived the system development fees for ADU’s.
The cost to build an ADU varies greatly on the size and scope of the project, but about $100 to $120/square foot would be an average range. If the ADU is built as a new garage with an ADU above it, the cost would be in the 80 to 100 range.
It takes 4 to 6 months to build an ADU, because designs have to be drawn up, the city has to approve the designs and then after about 2 months, they can start to build.
People in Portland love ADU’s. They provide extra space for family, friends, or an office. They can also be used as rental units.”
Stephen also has a blog about ADU’s and you can click here to read it.
2011 Street Of Dreams
This year’s Street of Dreams in Tigard will have 5 houses with ADUs.
The Street of Dreams is in August with only 5 houses and all are on large lots.
Each home has a different feature to explore: Dream Builder Custom Homes, Inc. has a Man Cave, Brentwood Homes has a Private Retreat, Arbor Homes has a Work-At-Home space, Steel Creek Homes has Entertainment Central, and Pahlish Homes has a place for Nana.
At 12,000 to 14,000 sq. ft., the 2011 Street lots are among the last of their size within the tri-county Metro Urban Growth Boundary. Metro rules require that such large lots meet minimum density standards for new construction. That’s why every home includes a separate-yet-inclusive extra living space. Each one fits the ADU definition, but your mother-in-law might be surprised at what she sees inside.
Do You Have Room For An ADU At Your Current Home?
The Street of Dreams’ houses are large homes and aren’t necessarily for seniors. However, what might be of particular interest are the ADU’s. Can you add one to your existing home? Are you on a larger lot where you could add an ADU for you to live in and meantime rent out your larger home?
Interested in purchasing a Portland home that already has an ADU? There are houses available to purchase with ADU’s in our Portland area real estate market. Let me know if I can help by calling me at 503-804-9685.
Jung’s Journal
Jung’s Journal, my Portland real estate eNewsletter for July 2011, has just been published. If you’d like to receive it, please send me your email.
ALL ABOUT…..Seniors.Boomers And Small Houses. © Copyright 2008-2012. Betty Jung. All Rights Reserved. Use of this article, photos and images without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.
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