There is no doubt that the Pandemic changed a lot about how we live and work. Long term lockdown and stay-at-home orders got us all to look at our homes differently. We started to realize just how small our interior space is, how much we love using our refinished attic, or that our backyard space has been left underutilizaed for years. Many of us finally got around to that honey-do list and projects we have talked about for forever. We organized the garage, we fixed the boards on the deck, screened in the back porch, and started that hobby we had always talked about getting started. When our favorite sports restaurant was still closed, my husband and I had the realization we could use our carport as a place to hang out and watch football. Why had we never thought to do this before? It was like we gained an extra room!
I loved that we were using our home in a new and fun ways. But shifting to a Work-From-Home lifestyle proved to be a difficult change for everyone. We were living in a 2 bedroom house with two small, very busy children. We already needed more space than we had and we definitely did not have room to create a workspace for one person, much less two. The dining room table was moved from the center of the room, pushed up against the wall and became a desk. We ate all meals at our breakfast nook and the girls ate at a toddler table. It worked, but it wasn’t ideal. We needed a space that could be dedicated to work only. We needed an office.
I have seen a a few home offices built from pre fabricated sheds. They are nicely finished out on the inside and typically have a window unit air conditioner. Not a bad quick fix since most of us thought the work-from-home lifestyle would be short lived. But now that we know remote work is here to stay, a more permanant and functional home work space is necessary. This is where the Mother-in-Law Suite investment starts to make a whole lot of sense.
If you are unfamiliar with what a Mother-In-Law Suite is, it is a small living space detatached from a single-family home. In the modern days of 2023 they are also called ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) or JADUs (Junior Accessory Dweling Units <500 sqft). The Suite is equipped with everything you might need – a kitchen or kitchenette and a full bathroom (laundry optional). Of course all of these features are not necessary to work from home, but hear me out because there is so much added function to this little space that it will make your home feel like it has tripled in size. How so? Let’s dive in…
1. It provides a guest quarters suitable for a long term stay
Now that many of us are working remote, we can stay in places for longer without having to return to to the office. How cool would it be to host a guest for a while without them having to take a vacation day? A detached suite would give our guests privacy, personal space and a remote workspace, making a longer stay more appealing and comfortable for everyone.
2. It provides a private work space
We have touched on this one a bit already. Though this was a tough transition for many of us (let’s be real, no one likes change), working from home has lots of added benefits and is here to stay. The way we work has changed. Whether you work from home or not, future home buyers will find added value in a real office space. Homeowners shouldn’t have to sacrifice a bedroom to make an office. New construction homes often have studies, but what if you have small children that want to see what mommy is working on? Or what is your spouse wants to watch TV while you need to be on a Zoom call? A home office away from home solves all these problems.
3. It provides a space for an elder parent to be close to a caretaker but maintain independence
Over the last few years I have watched my parents become caretakers to their aging parents. Even when you have the best plans in place, it is a difficult process for both the parent and the child. Having seen their experience, I know when the time comes to be a caretaker for my parents and my in laws I want to have a plan in place. The name “Mother-In-Law Suite” came from this exact idea. How can you help look after your parents all the while helping them maintain activity and independence? How can you move your parent close to home without having them move in with you? For what it costs to live in a reputable retirement community one could build the perfect space for an aging parent without the hassel and redtape that comes with assisted living facilities.
4. You can use it as an outdoor entertainment area
My husband and I moved into our 3b/2ba with future plans to build out our backyard. We need better parking and covered parking, an outdoor kitchen with A/C and running water for entertaining, and a small guest quarters. Our outdoor kitchen will likely be the same size or larger than the actual guest space. If you know us, you know Cahill loves to cook for a crowd, especially outside. It will have a garage door as a serving window that opens into our yard and will also function as the kitchen for the guest suite. With the right design and thought behind what you’re building, there is no reason your MIL suite cannot also serve as your outdoor entertainment space. This may seem like a lot to take on at once, but with a good contractor you can tackle a larger project in stages as your finances allow.
5. You can add space to your home without having to displace your family during an addition
What would you say to two more bedrooms and one more bathroom of added space without having to move out or live through the dust? Building a detached guest quarters allows you to do just that. You can add the extra space without all the added hassel and mess of an addition. There’s nothing like paying your mortgage, paying for a renovation AND paying for a short term rental all at once. Whew. With our shifted post-pandemic way of living, I belive there is a fair argument to be made that a 3b/2ba with a 2b/1ba accessory unit is more desirable than a 5b/3ba home.
6. You can keep your pre-August 2023 interest rate
Have you ever heard the phrase “cheaper to keep her?” I know we would all love to return to a time where interest rates were under 4%. Unfortunately it may be a while before we see numbers like that again. Before you pack up and move to a new place you might want to consider if your current home has the potential to give you what you want. Even if you take out a new loan with today’s intrerest rates, it sure beats a whole new mortgage at 8% or higher.
7. It is an added quiet space
I don’t care how big your home is, sometimes you just need a little getaway. That’s why the “staycation” has become such a hit. People want to enjoy a night away without the hassel of travel and without having to look at the laundry that needs to be done or the dishwasher that needs unloading. A Mother-in-Law Suite could be that tranquil little space you have been searching for. A cozy and calm place where you can unwind without the daily chaos of your main dwelling space creeping into your “me time.”
8. It can provide an added income stream and favorable ROI
AirBnb certainly has helped us think of new ways we can earn a little extra money with our property. Whether you are interested in short, medium or long term rentals, a Mother-in-Law suite could be the perfect way to increase your cashflow, help pay your mortgage or add to your retirment fund. Additionally, whether you decide to rent your ADU or not, when you invest in an detached suite you are likely to increase the monetary value of your home by more than the cost of your investment.
9. It adds function to a space that otherwise has only one use
Whether you are interested in building a MIL suite for the added income potential, entertainment capabilities, guest quarters, or home office I think we can all agree that there are several ways to use the exact same space, whatever your design may be. When considering what you could do with the extra space on your property, it is worth giving thought to how many ways you can use it! Is it something you use daily? Seasonally? Or in multiple ways? Most of all you want to make sure whatever you build elevates your home life. After all, it is a place where you will make some of the best memories of your life.
