An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a fully self-contained living space located on the same property as a single-family home. It’s like having a second home, but smaller and more flexible.
What Types of ADUs Exist?
ADUs can take many different forms, including:
- A finished basement apartment
- A side-attached apartment with its own entrance
- A garage conversion turned into livable space
- A detached backyard cottage or casita
While these are common approaches, most homeowners face challenges—like zoning, design workarounds, and retrofitting existing space. That’s why R5 Homes has taken a different approach.
Who Typically Uses an ADU?
Homeowners often rent ADUs for steady monthly income, but they’re also great for family use. Parents, adult children, and long-term guests can all enjoy privacy and independence while staying close. That’s why ADUs are sometimes called mother-in-law suites or private suites.
What Makes an ADU “Official”?
To be recognized as a legal, independent dwelling, an ADU must include:
- A full kitchen
- A private bathroom
- A separate entrance
- Adequate parking
These features ensure it functions as a complete home, not just an extra room.
How Can an ADU Help Offset a Mortgage?
Scenario 1: First-Time Buyers
A young couple in Utah buys their first home with a basement ADU. Their mortgage is $3,000 a month, but renting the ADU for $1,200 cuts their effective payment to $1,800—less than many local apartments, while still owning a full single-family home.
Scenario 2: Multigenerational Living
A family wants to care for aging parents without losing privacy. They use their ADU as a comfortable in-law suite, keeping everyone close while maintaining independence. Instead of paying for senior housing, the family saves thousands each year, while the home’s value grows with its versatility.
Scenario 3: Single Professional
A young professional is pre-approved for a condo but wants more space. By choosing a home with an ADU, lenders count the potential rent toward her income, increasing her borrowing power. She qualifies for a larger home and rents out the ADU to cut her monthly costs—turning what once felt out of reach into an affordable investment.
Why Are ADUs Utah’s Smartest Housing Hack?
Utah’s housing market has seen prices climb faster than wages, leaving many families feeling priced out of homeownership. ADUs flip the script. By creating built-in rental income and flexible living options, ADUs let buyers afford more home, cut their mortgage, and still enjoy the comfort of a private single-family lifestyle.
Why R5 Homes Leads in ADU Living:
Most builders treat ADUs as an afterthought—an addition squeezed into the garage, basement, or backyard. R5 Homes takes a smarter approach. We design FLEX-ADU homes with the ADU already integrated into the floor plan and footprint of the building.
That means:
- Better soundproofing
- Smarter layouts
- Private entrances that feel natural
- Dual HVAC systems for comfort and independence
With R5, you don’t have to retrofit, rezone, or fight your floor plan. You get a home that’s designed from the ground up to maximize both livability and income potential—making it Utah’s top choice for multi-unit living under one roof.
