4 Surprising Ways You Can Use a Granny Flat
/
If you’ve recently been looking at homes on the market, you’ve probably seen a granny flat. These have become a popular trend in real estate today. That said, what are they exactly? Do they add any value to a home? And how can one utilize them?
What Is a Granny Flat?
A granny flat is a small living area in a property, attached or detached from the main house. In most cases, the space is built for one or two people and has its kitchen, living area, bathroom, and entrance.
A granny flat is called an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or an accessory apartment in real estate. It’s often called a granny flat because it’s commonly used to house aging parents. Other terms for this space may be an in-law, carriage, or bonus unit. It can also be called a granny pod.
A granny flat doesn’t have to be a newly built space. It can be converted from a basement, attic, or garage. There are several reasons why many individuals are adding this unit. A significant way many people benefit from well-built granny flat home extensions is added property value. They can ask for a higher price with the additional space if they sell their homes.
Innovative Ways to Use a Granny Flat
You can still add a granny flat to your property even though you aren’t accommodating your aging parents. There are several other ways to use this space.
Below are some surprising methods to utilize a granny pod.
Rental Space
You can rent out your granny flat if you’d like to earn additional income. You can let out the space to short-term tenants like vacationers. In this case, you can still use the unit for various purposes when the occupants leave.
You could also rent the space to long-term tenants who pay you monthly. It can be an excellent way to build wealth. Consider going around the neighborhood or checking online listings to know how much apartments cost to rent in your area. It will help you understand how much you should charge for your space.
Whether renting your space to long or short-term occupants, you should aim for quality tenants. Such people pay on time, are good neighbors, and take proper care of your home. The best way to get such individuals is by screening prospective tenants before allowing them to stay on your property. It involves checking their background, income, and creditworthiness.
You can also attract excellent tenants by writing an enticing listing and providing a clear list of rules for applicants so you’re all on the same page. Perform regular property maintenance, including add-ons like stainless steel appliances, extra storage, proper lighting, a heating system, and an air conditioning unit.
Home Office
Working in the house with kids and pets running around, visitors coming by, and other distractions can be challenging. So, if you’re a remote team member or run your business at home, you can benefit significantly by turning your granny flat into a personal office. The private space will help you thrive by allowing you to perform better and be more productive.
It helps to have a comfortable and functional home office. To create one, allow maximum natural light, buy ergonomic furniture, add enough storage space, and have all your equipment to avoid going back to the house severally. You can also decorate the office by painting the colors you love, bringing in plants, and hanging art pieces to make it feel more personal.
Space For Kids And Teenagers
You can also let your kids and teenagers have the granny flat to enjoy freedom and independence. It can be a conducive space to study away from distractions like television and video games. They could also use the unit to entertain their friends. This way, they won’t ruin your quiet afternoon or evening with loud music, video games, or movies.
A Starter Home For A Young Adult
If you have an older child who’s just finished college and hasn’t gotten a job yet or they’ve just started working, it can be challenging for them to pay rent and other bills. In this case, you can allow them to use the granny flat as their starter home.
They can look for jobs without stressing about paying rent and bills they can’t afford. Also, they can save as much as they need to move out eventually. Besides, they’ll learn to do their laundry, clean the house, and generally self-manage. When they move out, it’ll be easier for them to live independently.
Final Thoughts
Granny flats are a popular trend in today’s real estate. Despite being known as a space to accommodate aging parents, it can provide several other purposes. In this article, you’ve learned that you can rent or use the space as a home office. You can also convert it into a studying or entertainment area for kids and teenagers or a starter home for a young adult.
Your options aren’t limited. There are various other ways to utilize a granny flat. So, let your creativity run wild.
