January News from the Napa Sonoma ADU Center

Never Too Late for A New Year ADU Resolution

We’re officially a few weeks into the New Year, and if you’re anything like me you may already be feeling like you missed the boat on this year’s resolutions. I’m here to tell you that if one of your resolutions was to build an accessory dwelling unit – whether as retirement planning, building a passive income stream, or creating a home for a family member – it is not too late, and the Napa Sonoma ADU Center is here to help.

I hear time and time again from homeowners we help with ADU projects: “I haven’t done anything to move forward on this since we last spoke because, frankly, I’m procrastinating.” Or, “I need more hand-holding on this ADU project.” Still others share, “I’m just overwhelmed.”

If you are one of these people – I want you to know that you are not alone, and our nonprofit has expanded our services to help you even more throughout the course of your ADU journey.

Instead of feeling daunted by the entire ADU build process, simply do this: Sign up for one of our ADU Feasibility Consults. If you’ve done that already and you’re stuck again, then join us for our ADU Office Hours which take place every single Tuesday and Friday from 12 – 1 pm (contact us for the link to sign up). We are here to discuss anything related to your project – even your feelings, believe it or not! – and point you in the right direction.

Register now for our webinar with the Redwood Credit Union introducing a NEW way to finance your ADU – taking place next Thursday, Jan 27 @ 6 pm!

One of the reasons we can feel overwhelmed by an ADU project is because it just takes a lot of time to accomplish – and, let’s face it, our time is finite. This year I did something I often do: I bought my husband a book and then before he could finish it I “borrowed” it and started reading it myself. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman is premised on the idea that, “The average human lifespan is absurdly, insultingly brief. Assuming you live to be eighty, you have just over four thousand weeks.” The book “introduces readers to tools for constructing a meaningful life by embracing finitude … rejecting the futile modern obsession with ‘getting everything done.’” I love the ideas and tools in this book because it is a crucial reminder to give ourselves permission and grace to prioritize the things that will benefit us the most – and you know I’m going to tell you that your ADU project is one of those priorities!

Many homeowners spend years thinking about building an ADU before they take active steps forward on the project. Sometimes this is necessary for financial reasons – but the fact is, if you can afford to build an ADU today, doing so now will benefit you financially and practically in the long-run.

So, reach out to us for help with your ADU project today because it is never too late to put your New Year ADU resolution into action. We will help you prioritize your time on your ADU project and figure out where to outsource the tasks better accomplished by a professional, so that you can spend your time on the things that truly matter. Let’s get started today. Your future self will thank you!

Warmly,

Renée J. Schomp
Director, Napa Sonoma ADU Center

PS – Follow us on social media to stay in touch and to hear as we roll out new free ADU resources and tools for homeowners!

PPS – Este boletín completo y todas las publicaciones del blog se pueden traducir al español en nuestro sitio web! // The full newsletter and all blog posts can be translated to Spanish on our website here!

Curious about building an ADU on a multi-family zoned parcel? Check out the upcoming Casita Coalition webinar on multi-family ADUs – you can register right here.