"For Aislyn and Ali Benjamin, an ADU, a small secondary home on an existing lot, was the most practical way into homeownership. They live near Danville, California - a small city just over an hour east of San Francisco - where the median home sale price was $1.8 million in August, according to Realtor.com. Wanting to stay near their jobs and avoid long-term renting, they built a 1,200-square-foot unit in the backyard of Ali's parents' home in San Ramon, a city next to Danville."
"With family help, the ADU, built by Bay-area-based Villa, cost $500,000 - far below what they would have paid for a typical home in Danville. "This was the best decision we ever made," Ali Benjamin, 35, told Business Insider. "It allowed us to save so much money and live where we wanted." The Benjamins have lived in the ADU since 2023. Overall, it's been a great experience, though there are a few downsides, Ali said."
"The Benjamins went from paying $3,086 a month for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment to paying $2,900 a month - including utilities - for an entire home. The payment goes toward a 15-year mortgage on the property. Ali's parents have rooftop solar, so the couple's power costs are lower, too - and they split the bill with his parents. Living in their backyard also means they don't worry about homeowners' association fees."
The Benjamins built a 1,200-square-foot ADU in Ali's parents' backyard in San Ramon near Danville, California, to access affordable homeownership close to work. With family help and a Bay Area builder, the unit cost $500,000, well below the area's median home price. The couple moved in 2023 and pay $2,900 monthly including utilities toward a 15-year mortgage, down from $3,086 renting. Shared rooftop solar lowers power costs and bills are split with family. Backyard living provides perks like a dog sitter and no HOA fees, but limits final say over property projects.
Read at Business Insider
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