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San Diego Realtor specializing in ADUs

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You are here: Home / Blog / My Interview with Krystin Krebs Interiors

Sherry Chen / April 7, 2021

My Interview with Krystin Krebs Interiors

I always love connecting with the ADU community in San Diego. I recently met Krystin Krebs of Krystin Krebs Interiors, a San Diego interior designer specializing in designing small spaces and accessory dwelling units. I recently joined Krystin on her Facebook Live event where she interviewed me to learn more about how I help homebuyers who want to build an ADU.

Check out our video below where I share the top 3 characteristics I look for when identifying properties with the best ADU potential.

Video Transcript:

Krystin: Hey guys! I’m Krystin with Krystin Krebs Interiors and today I am talking to Sherry Chen from Compass. She is an awesome real estate agent who specializes in ADUs.

So Sherry, tell us a little bit about how you help your clients find ADUs.

Sherry: I help a lot of my clients find these properties that have the ADU potential so that they can kind of create the ADU of their dreams.

Krystin: Awesome, that’s great! So how do you go about finding a potential property that could have an ADU?

Sherry: So there are a lot of things to look for and it can get kind of confusing because there’s the state laws that buyers need to navigate and then there are individual cities that have their own laws.

I am pretty familiar with a lot of requirements that most of the cities in San Diego have so I help my clients navigate through those. But some of the main things that I typically look for is a detached garage. That is the most straightforward way to add an ADU to a property because a garage already has the structure and the cost to convert it into an ADU can be less than half the cost of what it would be to construct a brand new dwelling in your backyard. It’s also a lot faster and the permitting process is easier, so I always look for those for my clients.

Especially the garage because you can have that separation from your main home which a lot of times homebuyers are like, “oh i don’t want to be that close to a tenant.” Well you can have that separation if you have a detached structure so that’s always great.

Another thing I look for is alleyway access so if the property backs up to an alleyway in the back that is a separate entrance for your tenant so you don’t have to share a driveway or say “Hi” to them everyday. You know it just retains that privacy for you and also provides access for the construction portion as well.

And then a third thing, this one’s pretty obvious, if you do want to build a brand new ADU from the ground up which a lot of my clients do is a large flat lot. In some areas, that’s going to be harder to find than others. But definitely a large flat lot where there’s plenty of room to build especially if you want a larger unit. ADUs can be up to 1200 square feet, believe it or not, so to build something of that size you’ll definitely need a lot more land to accommodate the unit.

Krystin: Yeah, fantastic! Well I bet you have a ton of people that you can reach out to to get all that done for your clients as well, right?

Sherry: Yeah definitely! So I work with a lot of construction teams here in San Diego that specialize in ADUs as well as design firms and design build firms so it depends on what you’re looking for.

I have clients who just want someone to do the design and someone else to do the construction so there’s definitely someone in my network that could be your fit. And once the project is done Krystin can get involved with the interior design portion being that she specializes in ADUs and small spaces.

Krystin: Yeah well thank you I appreciate that! But awesome…I mean it is so cool to be able to have a real estate agent who knows so much about ADUs. You know the laws, you know the regulations, I mean it’s so great that you know, you’re so well versed in this and that you have the ability to be able to make it happen for your clients too — so i’m super excited for you!

Sherry: Thank you so much and it’s definitely exciting for me too to be able to provide this because not a lot of agents and not a lot of people know about ADU laws in general and it’s kind of intimidating for a lot of people.

So as for my background, I used to be an ADU consultant and I used to consult for an architecture firm that specializes in ADUs. That’s how I kind of became familiar with all the laws and such but I’m happy to answer any questions that people have about ADUs. 

If you’re looking for a home in San Diego with ADU potential, check out my website. You can find out more information at sherrychenrealty.com. I have a lot of ADU resources there as well.

Krystin: Perfect and then if anybody wants to reach out to you on Facebook, where should they go?

Sherry: You can visit @sherrychenrealty and on Instagram as well.

Krystin: Perfect, awesome! Well thanks so much for stopping in Sherry I really appreciate it. I’m super excited to see where you go from here. 2021 is gonna look good for you! 

Sherry: Yeah, I hope so! The market is crazy hot and I’m super excited for 2021. Awesome, thank you so much for having me!

To learn more, check out my guide on the top factors to look for when identifying a property with ADU potential.

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Sherry Chen, Realtor

Kappel Realty Group

Compass

DRE #02109149

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sherrychenrealty

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

Sherry Chen
🌟 JUST SOLD!🌟 An incredible triplex in the h 🌟 JUST SOLD!🌟 An incredible triplex in the heart of University Heights/North Park. This incredible unit mix offers a 3BD/2BA 1500 sq ft front house with TWO 2BD/1BA units behind. ⁠
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Now, let's get into the zoning. This property has a unique overlap of zoning including #CompleteCommunities and multifamily density, this 7,000 sq ft lot is for up to 36 units! ⁠
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I am so happy for my buyers who are about to get married this fall. This will be their first home together and it was important that their first property be an investment. My buyer was attracted to this property for its incredible development potential, and plans to develop within the next 5 years. This listing also came with the due diligence and feasibility reports necessary for development. In the meantime, they plan to convert the huge 4-car detached garage into another ADU for added cashflow 💰⁠
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I could not be happier for my (almost) newlywed clients who plan to hold on to this property into retirement. We initially lost this offer to an all-cash buyer. By maintaining consistent communication and rapport with the listing agent, I was able to secure this incredible deal for my buyers. It just goes to show that although it's a competitive market, working with the right agent makes all the difference. ⁠
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Congratulations to my buyers for securing an incredible first home and investment property which will change their lives forever!⁠
⁠
Sherry Chen⁠
sherry.chen@compass.com⁠
@KappelRealtyGroup⁠
Compass @sandiegocompass⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
Equal Housing Opportunity⁠
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#sherrychenrealty #theaduagent #investmentproperty #realestateinvesting #sandiegorealestate #universityheights #northparkrealestate #sandiegomultifamily #multifamilyproperty #realestatedevelopment #infilldevelopment #sandiegohomes #multifamily #firsttimehomebuyer
Loved volunteering today at the @sdhumanesociety w Loved volunteering today at the @sdhumanesociety walk with @kappelrealtygroup @kristinekappelrealty @marel__! It was a gorgeous day meeting all the cutest pups in San Diego! 🐶🐕🦮🐩🐕‍🦺🐾🦴 #sdhumanesociety #sandiegodogs #sandiegoevents #pointloma #libertystation #sandiegovolunteer
✨JUST SOLD ✨Congratulations to my amazing buye ✨JUST SOLD ✨Congratulations to my amazing buyers @kaekae_janae and @jakevayda!

Jake and Kaelia are quite impressive. They’ve just purchased their first home in San Diego during the most challenging market ever — in their 20s! Over the last few months, we got beat out on 16 offers, but Jake and Kaelia stayed persistent and determined.

When we found this home, we knew it was perfect because one of their primary goals is rental income potential. The home comes with a large detached garage that they plan to convert into an ADU. They are also taking advantage of one of California’s amazing grant programs to help them build their #ADU!

This property will not only generate monthly cash flow, but is also helping them build their wealth and net worth. 💰

Congratulations Jake and Kaelia for making the decision to buy and securing your first home in San Diego! 

Thank you to @willflo7 for helping our clients make their dream come true! And thank you @curtis_westivy_homeinspections for guiding us through a thorough home inspection! 

Sherry Chen
Kappel Realty Group | Compass
DRE 02109149
Equal Fair Housing

Looking for a property with ADU potential? Get in touch with me at 📧Sherry.chen@compass.com

#sherrychenrealty #theaduagent #accessorydwellingunit #sandiegoadu #oakpark #oakparkrealestate #sandiegohomes #justsold #sandiegorealestateinvesting #firsttimehomebuyer #garageconversion
So honored to have met @robreffkin CEO and founder So honored to have met @robreffkin CEO and founder of @compass today at our 4 year anniversary! In my first year of brokerage I sold over $15M in real estate thanks in large part to the incredible technology and network that Compass offers. Thank you Robert for visiting us in San Diego! 

#compass #sandiegocompass #agentsofcompass #kappelrealtygroup #findyourplace #sherrychenrealty #sandiegorealestate
🌟 JUST SOLD! Congratulations to my clients for 🌟 JUST SOLD! Congratulations to my clients for securing this turnkey, beautifully remodeled home in North Clairemont Mesa. ⁠
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My clients are residents of Chicago, but split their time between there and San Diego where they have extended family. They'd been wanting to find a second home in our beautiful city for a long time but didn't know where to start. ⁠
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Additionally, they wanted a home where they could build a large ADU for multigenerational living and provide a home for mom. 👵⁠
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The first step was working with @chadbaker.ccm who crafted the perfect loan for them to be able to finance their second home. After a short underwriting process, we were well positioned to start shopping with NO loan contingency. This really helped us gain a competitive edge and enabled us to stand out against multiple offers. 💪⁠
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When this property came on the market, we were one of the first ones to see it. We moved quickly and were able to secure this deal within 24 hours of viewing the home. Competition was stiff and we even beat out multiple offers that were higher-priced. 🥊⁠
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My buyers could not be happier with their new home where they can bring their family together. This story truly encapsulates my mission as a real estate advisor. The ability to help families find their place together, especially through ADUs, is what I love most about what I do on a daily basis. ⁠
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🏠 Looking for your next home? Contact me at 📧sherry.chen@compass.com.⁠
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⁠
Sherry Chen⁠
The ADU Agent⁠
Kappel Realty Group | Compass⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
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#sherrychenrealty #theaduagent #kappelrealtygroup #accessorydwellingunit #adu #sandiegoadu #sandiegorealestate #realestateinvesting #chicagotosandiego #secondhome #multigenerationalliving #aginginplace #grannyflat #casita #clairemontmesa #clairemontmesahomes #clairemontmesarealestate ⁠
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Thank you @redfinrealestate for featuring me on yo Thank you @redfinrealestate for featuring me on your latest article on ADUs! Check out my pro tip by clicking on the link in my bio. ⁠
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Hint: I share how you can identify properties with the potential to build not just one, but MULTIPLE #accessorydwellingunits! 😉⁠
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Looking for a property with ADU potential? Get in touch with me at 📧 sherry.chen@compass.com.⁠
⁠
Sherry Chen⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
Kappel Realty Group | Compass⁠
Equal Fair Housing⁠
⁠
#sherrychenrealty #theaduagent #kappelrealtygroup #redfin #compass #compassrealestate #sandiegorealestate #realestateinvesting #adu #grannyflat #multifamilyrealestate #accessorydwellingunit #casita #sandiegoadu ⁠
JUST SOLD! Congratulations to my buyer for securin JUST SOLD! Congratulations to my buyer for securing this property on the 1st day it hit the market. ⁠
⁠
My client was highly motivated and was ready to move quickly for the right deal. When this property hit the market, we were one of the first to see it and submitted a strong offer right away. ⁠
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By understanding the seller's needs, we were able to strategize an offer that got accepted quickly within 24 hours. ⁠
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This home is conveniently located in Birdland, a pocket of San Diego that's quietly tucked way yet centrally located and accessible to all major freeways. Easy access was key for my buyer. ⁠
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Complete with a beautiful, sparkling pool, my client is excited to have his grandkids over and teach them how to swim in his very own backyard. ⁠
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Crafting the right offer at the right time is key to getting an offer accepted in today's market. It also takes a motivated buyer who can move quickly to get the deal. It's a team effort!⁠
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Ready to buy a home this year? Get in touch with me today and I'll show you the strategies to get your offer accepted in today's market. ⁠
⁠
⁠
Sherry Chen⁠
Kappel Realty Group⁠
Compass⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
Equal Fair Housing⁠
⁠
⁠
#sherrychenrealty #birdland #serramesa #birdlandsandiego #sandiegorealestate #homebuying #serramesarealestate #lindavista #clairemontmesa #sandiegoealestateinvesting #agentsofcompass #sandiegorealtor #sandiegorealestateagent #sandiegocompass #compasssandiego
⭐ JUST SOLD! Congrats to my Bay Area clients who ⭐ JUST SOLD! Congrats to my Bay Area clients who moved down to San Diego to be closer to family. 👪⁠
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We were able to beat out 16 offers -- without being the highest priced offer. 🙌⁠
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Being communicative, transparent and professional can certainly make or break a deal, especially in today's market. ⁠
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My clients are so excited to call this their home for years to come, where they will start their family. Best of all, they look forward to endless pizza nights as this home comes with a custom-built wood-fired oven! 🍕⁠
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If you're looking to buy a home this year, let's talk. I'll show you the many ways you can compete in today's market without being the highest priced offer. ⁠
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Get in touch with me today at 📧sherry.chen@compass.com ⁠
⁠
Sherry Chen⁠
Kappel Realty Group⁠
@compass⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
Equal Fair Housing⁠
⁠
⁠
#sherrychenrealty #theaduagent #eastlake #eastlakegreens #eastlakechulavista #eastlakerealestate #chulavistarealestate #bayareamovingtosandiego #sandiegorealestate
🌟 2021 was my first full year in real estate wh 🌟 2021 was my first full year in real estate where I sold 26 units and over $15M in sales volume. I'm so honored to receive the Gold award from the San Diego Association of Realtors @realtorssd 🏆⁠
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Thank you to all my buyers and sellers this past year for trusting me with purchasing their first home, investment property, and listing their homes for top dollar. ⁠
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I'd especially like to thank my team @kappelrealtygroup for the endless mentorship and support in helping this rookie hit the ground running! 🏃🏽‍♀️
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Cheers to another successful year in 2022! I look forward to continuing to help my clients, future and past, build long-term wealth through real estate. 📈⁠
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If you're thinking of buying or selling real estate this year, reach out for a free consultation. ⁠
⁠
Sherry Chen⁠
Kappel Realty Group⁠
@compass⁠
DRE 02109149⁠
Equal Fair Housing⁠
www.sherrychenrealty.com⁠
sherry.chen@compass.com⁠

📷 by: @classiccommercial 
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