Search this site
Connect with Others
Upcoming ADU Events
Topics Covered
activism ADU alley appraisal attached basics benefits book review building community conversion conversions design detached detached bedroom earth advantage new homes educational energy Environment life cycle analysis energy greenhouse gas events featurepost finance financing gallerypost garage humor incentive laneway laneway housing language mcmansions new construction oregon permitted permitting portland refinance research seminar stairs tour Tour Portland unpermitted video washington dc-
Recent Posts
Tag Archives: appraisal
Finally, A Loan Product That Works for Constructing ADUs
In most markets, financing the construction of ADU’s is notoriously difficult. When constructing an ADU, you need to have all the cash upfront to pay a contractor for the cost of construction. This proves to be a tremendous barrier for … Continue reading
Appraisal Journal on ADUs: they could be worth more than you think
Today the Appraisal Journal publishes a research paper about residential properties with accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The paper describes an income-based method for appraising properties with ADUs, and concludes that using an income-based approach can give appraisers a valuable counterpoint … Continue reading
The many and confusing synonyms for ADUs
A quick note about language here. One reason people get so confused, and perhaps heated, about accessory dwellings is that language about them is confused. The different names conjure up different images; who wouldn’t rather live in a “carriage house” … Continue reading
Refinancing an ADU – a mortgage broker’s perspective
As a mortgage broker in the Portland area for almost 8 years, I’ve learned “the harder I work, the luckier I get” is really true. In this instance hard work & a little bit of luck combined to culminate in … Continue reading
Appraising properties with accessory dwelling units: a preview of new methods and findings
[update Nov. 2012: the paper is out in Appraisal Journal... click here] This year I’ve been working with appraiser Taylor Watkins of problem of appraising properties with accessory dwelling units, and we’ve finally got something to show for it. Here … Continue reading
Notes from a presentation on appraising ADUs
[Kol Peterson attended Martin Brown and Taylor Watkin's presentation on appraising ADUs and came away with these notes about how appraisal issues affect homeowners. For Martin's summary of the event, see here. --editor] The presence and occupation of non-permitted ADUs … Continue reading
How appraisals and “GSEs” make financing an ADU challenging
(Update January 2013: please note that the research on which the following piece was based has now been published in Appraisal Journal. Please read the full text of that article for a deeper treatment of this material.) So you’ve bought … Continue reading