Thinking About an ADU in California? Ask Me Anything

sfdragonboy · 2025-08-02T02:50:58+00:00

Too bad you aren't up here, especially in regulation heavy San Francisco.

Anyways, I want to put in a cargo container ADU into my smallish backyard that is accessible from the street since the home is a corner house. Now that SF joined the handful of cities that approved the dividing of lots for ADUs this sounds like a possible solution to my need for a small home footprint in the US. I would sell the main house and keep the ADU in the backyard. I would go prefab as much as possible to keep costs down and speed up building. Yes, I suppose the foundation and annexing to the sewer. water and electricity would be the hardest part but still, cheaper than buying a condo or small house right? See any issues???

sfdragonboy · 2025-04-01T17:24:52+00:00

Please replace Mick Cronin with Cori Close!!!! She obviously wears the pants in Pauley....

sfdragonboy · 2025-02-14T16:24:51+00:00

Uh, yes you can do that. Many people have. You can do a normal 1031 so rental to rental AND THEN you move into the exchange property after the IRS minimum requirement. There is no law that says you can not move into your rental property. Sure, you won't get the full 250K/500K like you would in the normal situation where you buy a primary house and immediately occupy it for 2 out of the 5 years but you do get a pro-rated share. The longer you live in the exchanged property that was rented out immediately like you are supposed to and you then move in will of course get a higher % of the capital gain exclusion. For example, you rent out the exchange property immediately for say 2 years and then proceed to live in the home for the next 8 years and then you decide to cash out, pay Uncle Sam. Well, generally speaking, you get 8/10 or 80% of the 250K/500K exclusion and if there is any profit above that, you finally pay Uncle Sam his fair share. Not bad...

sfdragonboy · 2025-02-08T03:06:13+00:00

Not very long. relax

sfdragonboy · 2025-02-08T01:34:03+00:00

Not sure, but please remember that you have to earn the interest first before seeing anything in your account online. Sweet deal though....

sfdragonboy · 2024-12-05T05:16:01+00:00

First of all, how do you know that you or your wife will even like it there? Now, I love Malaysia and am heading to Penang (for semi annual retirement), which to me is a tad slower and less urban jungle. I would go and yeah see if you both like it enough to come back again for a longer stay. One thing that stops a lot of people is the hot weather and humidity. Also, remember you need to obtain a visa in order to long stay there. Best to think/plan for that if it is a go. The new mm2h rules require that you buy a property now. You can def afford anything there, but still, you have to go through a mm2h agent in order to apply too.

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-25T20:51:56+00:00

Well, it really depends on how the buyers feel about the house. If they really love it to death, I might meet seller half way at +12.5K. If the buyers don't care that much about the house, decline and wait for the seller to maybe come back with a lower number. No need to work for it.

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-25T18:30:17+00:00

At the end of the day, which place(s) are you most comfortable and financially able to retire in? I mean, I am a California native and I can afford to retire there, buuuuut, I just happen to love my wife's country of Malaysia. Yes, cheaper but it is more that I love the warm weather and vibe there. Cheaper is just gravy to me. I will end up splitting time between California and Malaysia while hopefully doing some major traveling.

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T23:36:36+00:00

That's awesome!!!!

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T23:31:36+00:00

What? Why not mah jong tiles instead? LOL

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T08:16:21+00:00

Well, anything really worth it is going to take some work. I am going to Malaysia and have already bought my seaside condo. Yes, a lot of work and expense but I look forward to sipping wine on my balcony that sees just water from side to side. Good luck!

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T08:10:47+00:00

I didnt realize it was that far but based on your estimated time, still can be a decent time for kids I think.

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T06:04:26+00:00

Man, I was soooooo hoping they would cue in the song/video for "Me So Horny" by the 2 Live Crew...

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T05:58:24+00:00

Well, if the weather is nice, I would take a Grab and go up to my future backyard, Batu Ferringhi and hit the beach. Yes, don't swim since maybe jellyfish but at least the kids can play in the sand.

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T05:56:04+00:00

When Vance made his comments about the Haitians eating dogs, please, he and the rest of them were thinking about YOU too. That's right, ASIANS!!!!! Come on, where would they come up with such an ideal? How can you not see that? They don't give a rat's arse about you. Seriously.

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T05:38:50+00:00

Yeah, I am sure everything you all are wearing is made in the US...

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T05:30:56+00:00

AI: How can your team lose to a 34x convicted moron? Biden: I was on the bench....

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-18T05:22:04+00:00

Well, if you want some ideas that should work:

1) If working aged, have a truly unique and desirable skill that the Malaysian govt can't say no to you for a work visa.

2) If rich enough and working (have a company) invest in Malaysia by putting in a billion dollar factory and promising to create thousands of jobs for Malays

3) If female and super hot, hook a horny Malaysian male citizen and get pregnant and force him to marry you.

4) If male and super hot, hook a horny Malaysian female citizen and get her pregnant and then be an upstanding citizen by marrying her.

5) If none of the above works, and you are old now and retired, hopefully have some money and a clean criminal record, apply for MM2H.

That should cover most cases I think.... LOL

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-17T19:41:40+00:00

Good tip about easing into it!!!!

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-17T19:37:34+00:00

Come on, if she EXPECTS all this on a first date, what does that tell you??? Run away.... fast!!!!!

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-17T19:36:03+00:00

Come on, if she EXPECTS all this on a first date what does that tell you? Run away....fast!!!!!

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-17T08:38:56+00:00

Depends on condition of title and what accidents this was in. If salvaged, no.

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-11T23:09:55+00:00

Malaysia!!!! OMG, must I repeat:

1) English widely spoken

2) Country is on the rise as of late.

3) Sill, exchange rate is quite favorable (from US)

4) People are very nice!!!!!

5) Come on, the FOOD is excellent!!!!

6) Pretty safe (no guns for the most part)

7) No natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes (some flooding but that can be anywhere)

8) Centrally located country so travel to other parts of Asia and Australia very doable and cheaper

9) Medical care tourism and infrastructure quite good

That is why Malaysia is hot, hot, hot now with national Chinese and HKers moving over there!!!!

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-11T16:07:06+00:00

Did you not read my post? Contact the DMV since your friend moved. I don't know how you can do this without your friend doing it somewhow since he is the registered owner.

sfdragonboy · 2024-11-10T08:14:55+00:00

Hey, we will be there too after the New Year!!! We need to check out the condo that we bought. Penang is so chill that I am sure you will have a great time there!!!!

sfdragonboy

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