Brooks & Brian’s ADU: Retirement Plan for Mom & Us
As Brian and Brooks explored various options for Brooks’ mother’s next housing situation, they determined an ADU would be the best option for both generations; an ADU would enable Brooks’ mother to retain as much independence as possible while having family close by, and it would be part of Brian and Brooks’ retirement plan, providing additional housing flexibility and income potential.
Amy Magyar’s ADU: Friend Next Door & Nest for Me
When Amy Magyar and her partner parted ways, her house felt too big. So she took out a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and transformed her carriage house into an ADU, doing most of the design and building herself, while preserving the building’s historic character. Amy’s friend from Baltimore, a self-declared “Covid refugee,” moved into the primary house, providing rental income for Amy.
Evelyn Brom’s ADU: Another House for the Other Street
In 1995, Evelyn Brown purchased her property in Seattle, WA and immediately imagined building a second house on it. The property was a through-lot, meaning that it spanned the distance between two streets. Her house, at one end of the property, fronted on one street and her garage, on the other end of the property, fronted the other street. Twenty years later the city caught up with Evelyn’s vision and she now lives in an ADU she has plenty of time to dream about.