What does it really cost to build an ADU, and is the investment worth it?

In this episode of the Monopoly Life Podcast, Sergio Hernandez and Omar A. Martinez break down the actual numbers behind their ADU project in Orange, California.

We converted existing garage space and added additional square footage to create two studio apartments totaling approximately 500 square feet. Our total investment, including plans, permits, and construction, came out to approximately $125,000, or $250 per square foot.

Today, those two studios generate $3,500 a month in combined rental income.

But there's more to the story than construction costs and collecting rent.

We discuss how we financed the project using home equity, the challenges we encountered, and the additional expenses homeowners need to consider, including higher insurance premiums, property taxes, utilities, and ongoing maintenance.

We also share how the property's location near CHOC Hospital, Chapman University, and Old Towne Orange played a role in our investment decision.

If you've ever considered building an ADU, converting your garage, or creating additional rental income from a property you already own, this episode gives you a firsthand look at the numbers and lessons we learned along the way.

Real conversations about money, real estate, business and building a life you actually want.

Have questions about financing an ADU or using your home's equity? Call or message us to discuss your options.

Follow Sergio on Instagram: @iamsergiohernandez

Sergio Hernandez

NMLS #108378 | DRE# 01190068

Omar A. Martinez

NMLS #108525 | DRE# 01290170

Rental income represents gross rent before operating expenses, financing costs, vacancies, and maintenance. Individual project costs and financial results will vary.

Hosted by:

Sergio Hernandez
DRE#01190068 | NMLS# 108378
Instagram

Omar A. Martinez
DRE# 01290170 | NMLS#108525
Instagram

All information is for informational purposes.

Thinking about building an ADU? One of the biggest decisions you will make is choosing the right contractor.

In this episode of the Monopoly Life Podcast, Sergio Hernandez and Omar A. Martinez go deeper into the ADU conversation and talk about what homeowners should know before hiring someone to build.

We cover what questions to ask, how to compare bids, what to look for in a contractor agreement, why the lowest price is not always the best price, how change orders can affect your budget, and some of the lessons we learned from going through the process ourselves.

This is not theory. It is based on real experience, real mistakes, and things we wish we had known before starting.

If you are considering an ADU, renovation, or major construction project, this episode can help you ask better questions and make a more informed decision before signing a contract.

Monopoly Life is about real conversations about money, real estate, business and building a life you actually want.

Follow Sergio:
Instagram: @iamsergiohernandez
YouTube: @sergiohome

Sergio Hernandez
NMLS #108378 | DRE# 01190068

Omar A. Martinez
NMLS #108525 | DRE# 01290170

Hosted by:

Sergio Hernandez
DRE#01190068 | NMLS# 108378
Instagram

Omar A. Martinez
DRE# 01290170 | NMLS#108525
Instagram

All information is for informational purposes.

In this episode of the Monopoly Life Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of our real-life ADU project in Orange, California.

We talk about why we decided to build, what the process actually looked like, the challenges we ran into, the money side of the project, and the lessons we learned along the way.

If you have ever thought about building an ADU, creating rental income, or simply getting more out of the real estate you already own, this episode gives you a practical look at what to expect.

No theory. No sales pitch. Just a real conversation about what worked, what did not, and what we would do differently next time.

Monopoly Life is about real conversations about money, real estate, business, and building a life you actually want.

Hosted by:

Sergio Hernandez
DRE#01190068 | NMLS# 108378
Instagram

Omar A. Martinez
DRE# 01290170 | NMLS#108525
Instagram

All information is for informational purposes.