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Sherry Chen | San Diego Real Estate Agent

San Diego Realtor specializing in ADUs

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ADU Homes

Looking for the perfect ADU-able property? You’re in the right place.

Thanks to recent state and local regulations making it easier than ever to build accessory dwelling units (ADU), homeowners throughout California are accessory dwelling units to their properties.

By adding a granny flat or ADU to your property, you can enjoy the many benefits of ADUs including additional rental income and property appreciation.

Are you looking to buy a property with ADU potential? Contact me, I’ll help you find the right property that will meet your goals.

Let’s start your property search
Propel Studio

When it comes to finding a property with ADU potential, there are many factors to consider. There are certain characteristics to look out for that may make one property more desirable than another in terms of ADU potential. Furthermore, navigating the ins and outs of state and local ADU regulations can be overwhelming for many people – especially when these laws are constantly evolving. 

That’s why I’m here to help. Whether you’re looking for a home with an existing ADU or granny flat, or a property with ADU potential to add your own — you’ve come to the right place.

As San Diego’s ADU Agent, I specialize in finding properties with maximum ADU potential for my clients. To help you get started, here are just a few my go-to tips to help you quickly identify a property with great ADU potential. 

5 Easy Ways to Identify ADU Potential in San Diego

1. Single-Family zoning

With the passing of Senate Bill 13 in 2017, the state of California made it legal for any property with single-family zoning to have an ADU. This means that nearly all properties that contain a single family home on the lot are eligible for an ADU. Furthermore, recent law changes are allowing certain multi-family zones such as duplexes, to become ADU eligible as well.

2. Detached Garage

This is one of the biggest identifiers of a property with ADU potential. There are many types of ADUs including detached and attached units, but one of the easiest ways to add an ADU to your property is by converting a garage. By converting a detached garage into an ADU, you can create an accessory dwelling unit on your property without having to share walls and be able to maintain privacy between the ADU and main home. Speaking of privacy…

3. Alleyway Access

Alleyway access is highly beneficial because it provides private and separate access to your ADU. Oftentimes, privacy is a big concern when it comes to adding an ADU onto your property. With an alleyway, your tenant or house guest can have their own private access to the ADU without infringing on the privacy of the main house.

4. Deep Lot

Although minimum lot size is no longer a requirement for ADUs as of 2020, having a deep lot is advantageous simply because it allows for more space and separation between the ADU and the main house. Increased separation means more privacy, and also the potential to include a small outdoor space for the ADU.

5. Near Transit

Assembly Bill 68 made some major changes to ADU requirements in 2020. One of the biggest changes is the elimination of required parking for units that are located within a ½ mile of public transit such as a bus stop. Keep in mind that this ½ mile must be walking distance. Other forms of public transit include trolley and train stations.

These five tips are just a few of the many factors that can maximize a property’s ADU potential. With ADU regulations constantly evolving, it can be difficult to know what specific characteristics to look for in a property that make the most sense for your goals.

Want to learn more about ADUs? Check out my ultimate ADU guide where you can learn more about ADU requirements in San Diego, how to build an ADU, cost estimates and more. If you need help finding the perfect ADU home, let’s get in touch.

Let’s start your ADU property search

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Sherry Chen, Realtor

Kappel Realty Group

Compass

DRE #02109149

Resources:

ADU Regulations
ADU Designs and Ideas

Recent Blog Posts

  • Top ADU Project Tips – Redfin features Sherry Chen
  • 2021 Guide to VA Loans: 7 Tips for California Veterans
  • My Interview with Krystin Krebs Interiors

sherrychenrealty

✨ San Diego Realtor | Compass
🏘 ADU Specialist
🏆 SDAR Gold Award 2021
🎓 UCLA Alum
DRE 02109149
Kappel Realty Group

Sherry Chen
Had a blast celebrating with my team @kappelrealty Had a blast celebrating with my team @kappelrealtygroup at the annual San Diego Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence gala! Our team won the coveted Platinum Award for the third year in a row!

🏆 I won the individual Gold Award a second year in a row. As I’m entering my third year in the business, I’m extremely proud of everything I’ve achieved to earn this recognition and being included within the TOP 1% of realtors in San Diego! 💯

Sherry Chen
Kappel Realty Group | Compass
DRE 02109149

#sherrychenrealty #sdar #sandiegorealtor #sandiegorealestateagent #circleofexcellence #award #awardwinning #toprealtor #sandiegorealestate #sandiegocompass #toprealestateteams #topproducer
✨ JUST SOLD ✨ Congratulations to my buyer who ✨ JUST SOLD ✨ Congratulations to my buyer who relocated all the way from #Boston to achieve his dream of one day living in beautiful #SanDiego. ⁠
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We were the first to see the property and submitted an offer right away ahead of the competition. My buyer knew from the moment he stepped into the home, that this modern home was exactly what he wanted. Therefore, we came in strong with an attractive offer that met all of the sellers' needs to make this as smooth of a transaction as possible. ⁠
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This gorgeous luxury townhome is located in a prime area of #Hillcrest is the perfect home base for my client to start his new chapter living on the sunny West Coast ☀️ My favorite part about this home is the roof top deck, the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the views and gorgeous San Diego sunset. 🌇⁠
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Sherry Chen⁠
Kappel Realty Group | Compass⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
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#sherrychenrealty #hillcresthomes #hillcrestrealestate #sandiegohomes #sandiegoluxuryhomes #luxurytownhome #bostontosandiego #sandiegocompass #sandiegorealestate #hillcrestsandiego
✨ JUST SOLD! ✨ Congratulations to my happy buy ✨ JUST SOLD! ✨ Congratulations to my happy buyers on the purchase of their first home in beautiful #ChulaVista. ⁠
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My clients are residents of Los Angeles and decided to move back to San Diego to be closer to family, along with their 1 year old son. This home is the perfect place for them to start their new chapter with their family. ⁠
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We were able to compete in this hot market 🔥 thanks to the help of @jale_yourloangirl_ with #CrossCountryMortgage! With a quick 15 day close and clean terms, we secured this beautiful home under contract. Within 2 short weeks, my buyers went from being renters to proud homeowners! 🏡⁠
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One of the challenges I face daily is dispelling misinformation in the news and headlines. While the rest of the nation may be seeing slower markets due to rising interest rates and inflation, there is still an overwhleming amount of buyer demand in San Diego. The #SanDiegoRealEstateMarket is still hot due to historically low levels of inventory. ⁠
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The key to securing a home today in this market is to work with a team who will do whatever it takes to GET 👏  IT 👏  DONE from the offer stage all the way to closing. ⁠
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Sherry Chen⁠
Kappel Realty Group | Compass⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
Equal Fair Housing⁠
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#sherrychenrealty #eastlakerealestate #eastlakehomes #otayranch #otayranchhomes #firsttimehomebuyer #movingfromlatosd #relocationrealestate #relocation #losangelestosandiego #buyingahome #southbaysandiego⁠
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🚨 New video! 🚨 Check out my first ADU tour w 🚨 New video! 🚨 Check out my first ADU tour with @snap.adu who recently completed a gorgeous #accessorydwellingunit for my client! 

My client purchased a duplex in the Linda Vista neighborhood of #SanDiego last year during one of the most competitive times to buy. Since purchasing his duplex, his investment has CASHFLOWED stronger than he could ever imagine. 

To increase his investment even more, he partnered with SnapADU to build this stunning 2BD/1BA unit in the backyard of his duplex. 

Check out the full video tour and learn all about the DEAL STORY on YouTube. Link in bio! 

Sherry Chen
@kappelrealtygroup | Compass
DRE 02109149 

Contact me at:
Sherry.chen@compass.com
Www.sherrychenrealty.com

#sherrychenrealty #theaduagent #snapadu #compassrealestate #sandiegocompass #sandiegoinvestmentproperty #realestateinvesting #multifamily #sandiegoadu #adu #lindavistahomes #sandiegomultifamily #kappelrealtygroup
JUST SOLD! Congratulations to my buyers for purcha JUST SOLD! Congratulations to my buyers for purchasing their first home near beautiful Rolando Village! This stunning home is turnkey and even has an attached #AccessoryDwellingUnit. My buyers are excited to generate strong rental income from the #ADU to substantially reduce their monthly mortgage payment, the ultimate #househack! I couldn’t be happier for my #firsttimehomebuyers for closing on this incredible property. 

Sherry Chen
Kappel Realty Group | Compass
DRE 02109149

#sandiegorealtor #sandiegorealestate #rolandovillage #realestateinvesting #sandiegoliving #sandiegohomes #housetour #hometour #sandiegohometour
🚨Checkout my podcast episode with @thewhatsnext 🚨Checkout my podcast episode with @thewhatsnextpod! I sit down with Levi Quesada and Tony Hernandez with @new.venture.escrow to chat about ADUs, real estate, technology and LIFE! 

Learn how I got started in the business, my advice for new agents, and how I’ve had over 14 jobs in my adult life 😆 

I also tell the story of how my parents immigrated to America from Taiwan 🇹🇼 and started their own business from day 1, which has always inspired me to become my own boss since I was young. 

Now sit down and join me with your favorite glass of wine, and click on the link in bio to watch the full interview!🥂 

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNpkzSKQoTw

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MwewjnCPlS9gA76bFZxTg

Sherry Chen
Kappel Realty Group | Compass
DRE 02109149

#sherrychenrealty #podcast #realestatepodcast #newventureescrow #sandiegorealtor
NEW ESCROW! Can you imagine yourself relaxing on t NEW ESCROW! Can you imagine yourself relaxing on this gorgeous rooftop deck enjoying the beautiful San Diego sunset? 🌅 Congrats to my buyer for getting his offer accepted on this beautiful luxury property in the heart of #Hillcrest.

Sherry Chen
Kappel Realty Group | Compass
DRE 02109149

#sherrychenrealty #sandiegocompass #sandiego #luxuryliving #sandiegohomes #hillcrestestate #hillcrestsandiego
Honored to be part of @KappelRealtyGroup, named on Honored to be part of @KappelRealtyGroup, named one of the top teams in San Diego by the San Diego Business Journal @sdbusinessjournal! ⁠
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Thank you to each and every one of my clients for your trust in working with me and for your continued support and referrals. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to change lives through real estate!⁠
⁠
Sherry Chen ⁠
Kappel Realty Group⁠
@Compass⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
⁠
#sherrychenrealty #awardwinningagent #topagent #toprealtor #sandiegorealtor #sandiegorealestateagent #sandiegocompass
Here’s a sneak peak behind-the-scenes look at my Here’s a sneak peak behind-the-scenes look at my new video coming up with @snap.adu! I walk through one of my best client deal stories. Learn all about how to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit to a #multifamily property in #SanDiego!

Sherry Chen
@KappelRealtyGroup
@Compass
DRE 02109149
 
#accessorydwellingunit #adu #sandiegoadu #sandiegoaccessorydwellingunit #multifamilyinvesting #duplex #lindavista #sandiegorealestate #realestateinvestor #valueadd #sandiegocompass
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