The New Avenue blog
More than decade of content on the things we love: your home
The top 5 reasons people build ADUs
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a wise investment for many reasons. They’re good for communities, and they’re a huge benefit to their owners.
Building a backyard gym
Most people choose to build a full ADU. Sometimes, though, a homeowner wants an accessory structure without a kitchen or an ADU with just a small kitchen facility. That was the case with one homeowner in Kentfield, CA, who asked us to create a detached gym with a bathroom and room for a bed.
Property tax increases for additions, renovations, and ADUs
This homeowner recognized that adding a rental unit would bring in additional income for his family and thus was a great investment. However, the new unit also impacted his property taxes…
20 luxuries to make your dream home
There’s something about a truly luxurious home. We’re not talking about frivolity. We’re talking about comfort—about making your home a place you want to be…
Photos and plans for an accessory dwelling “in-law unit” in Santa Cruz
The 934-square-foot home has a two-car garage (shared with the primary home), a loft, a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, and plenty of storage space for the family’s outdoor adventure gear. Here's the floor plan.
What is “Construction Administration” and why is it important?
We received a list of questions about construction administration so we wanted to help others better understand this important part of the design-build process…
Cost to build a custom home (5,000 sf, 5-bed, 6-baths)
A custom home is typically a once-in-a-lifetime project where you work with a designer to craft a design that responds to your unique lifestyle and needs. It is also a big investment and it is important to understand costs as you budget for a custom home…
Permits denied…and then approved.
Here’s how we helped our clients turn “no” into a “go.” When Principal Designer Amy Guiang contacted the City of Oakland, she was expecting a “yes” but got a “no.”…
Does Your ADU Need Its Own Parking Spot?
If you’re adding an accessory dwelling unit in California, Oregon, or any other state that allows ADUs, you’ll need to know about the local parking requirements…
How much do property taxes increase when building an ADU in El Cerrito, CA?
That tax increase breaks down to just $104.16 per month. That’s easily covered by the monthly rental income. The ADU will easily rent for $2,000 per month or more, leaving enough money to pay off the mortgage on the ADU in just a few short years. After that, the rent money is available for the homeowner to use for her main home, education, travel or anything else she may want.
How much do property taxes go up when building an ADU rental cottage in San Jose?
The property taxes were $14,456. In San Jose, we typically see a 22% increase in property taxes when adding a detached accessory dwelling. For this property, that means an additional $3,180.32 per year in property taxes.
Cost to design and build a second-floor addition in Berkeley
Steve, a homeowner in Berkeley, wanted to add more space to his one-bedroom, one-bathroom home. He hired New Avenue to design and build a second story with an additional bedroom and an additional bathroom. Here are the plans and costs.
Will I have to pay more property taxes if I add an ADU in El Cerrito?
At $1,500 a year, the tax increase on this project breaks down to $125 per month. The homeowner easily recoups that with the savings on housing costs. The owner’s mother would have to pay $2,000 per month for a one-bedroom home of her own. If the family rents the unit out, they’ll bring in at least $2,000 per month in rent.
On The Boards
From backyard cottages to ADUs and additions, New Avenue has some exciting projects in the works.
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