Q. What is an ADU?
An ADU is an accessory dwelling unit. Each town’s definitions are different, but in York an ADU is defined as “a small apartment which is part of an existing single family owner-occupied home, in the same building as the principal dwelling unit or in a building , to the principal dwelling unit, and which is clearly secondary to the single-family home.”
In the state of Maine there is not only a shortage of homes to purchase; there’s also a big shortage of year-round rentals. ADU’s can help address that shortage and can also be a great way for homeowners to increase their monthly income.
If you’re planning on staying in your home for several years, the cost of building an ADU addition can be well worth it. If you’re older and you don’t want to sell but money is tight; consider building an ADU and renting it. You could even live in the brand new, easy-to-maintain one floor ADU and rent out the larger house. A young couple in a starter home can use rental income from an ADU to help pay their mortgage.
A good builder can give you ideas on creative ways to add an ADU while still maintaining your privacy.
