Berkeley says it’s OK!?
Can’t you imagine your mother’s voice: “Just because Timmy jumped off a cliff, does that mean you should jump off a cliff too?” We all feel tempted to do what we see others doing, but at the same time, we’re afraid those people might be doing something hare-brained. Which is why, ever since Berkeley drastically relaxed its restrictions against backyard cottages – dare I say even started encouraging them – I have regularly received phone calls from homeowners asking, “Hmm…seems like a great idea, but should I do it?”
The answer is yes.
It really does raise the value of your property
Believe it or not, many people fear that adding an additional unit will somehow lower the overall resale value of their property. But from my perspective as a Realtor, there is no way that would happen. Rather, an accessory unit tends to magically solve many of the problems that would otherwise cause potential Buyers to strike a home from contention.
Buyers have problems to solve
For example: How can I work from home? Where will we stick the television that we really wish we could do without? How can we generate some income to pay a bigger mortgage? Where will the nanny live? Where do we put all our stuff? What if we have more kids? How can we create an art studio? Where am I going to write my novel?
Backyard cottages are places to dream
Some Buyers’ needs are practical, but many tie in to their hopes and dreams for the new life that a new house represents. There is nothing that fuels these fantasies so much as an inviting, private, rose-covered cottage in your backyard. Such cottages speak to Buyers in a different language than your new appliances or your seismic retrofit ever could.
Here is a fun resource to get you started!
If you’d like to brainstorm ways that you could configure an accessory unit to maximize the overall value of your own property, just give me a call.
“Holly has endless connections, whether contractors or other industry professionals, that love working with her. She gets the job done.”
— Mary B
Hello, I’m Holly Rose. I help people buy and sell homes in the East Bay. I specialize in fine old homes with interesting or historically significant architecture.