Featured Post from Retire with Equity

Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Should Seniors explore this option for unlocking equity in their home?

Dec 18, 2024

5 min

Sue Pimento

Summary: In a previous post, I wrote about the need for more creative solutions to the cost of housing.  I also spoke to the housing shortage and the steep downpayment rules we continue to face. At the same time, the need for retirement income and an increased focus on "aging in place" has more and more property owners looking for solutions.  Here, we explore why adding secondary living spaces to their properties, commonly referred to as Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), is something you may want to consider.


What Are ADUs?

ADUs are fully equipped residential units situated on the same lot as a single-family home. They offer a distinct and private living arrangement while maintaining proximity to the main house. These living spaces may be integrated into the primary residence—such as a transformed garage or basement—or exist as independent structures, including small cottages or apartments.


Why ADUs Are Gaining in Popularity

ADUs can fulfill a broad range of needs, from accommodating aging relatives or adult children to creating a valuable source of rental income for homeowners. This income could assist seniors with cash flow and substantially boost their property's overall value. But is an ADU right for you? Before answering this, let's first take a brief look at their advantages and the rules and regulations governing the conversion or construction of such structures.


Types of ADUs


ADUs encompass a variety of secondary suites or dwelling units, primarily categorized as attached, detached, and semi-detached structures. Attached ADUs arise when homeowners convert existing spaces, such as basements, into livable areas. In contrast, detached ADUs consist of separate structures built apart from the principal residence.


Laneway Houses / Laneway Suites: These small, detached units are constructed in the backyard or along the laneways of existing properties, maximizing the use of available space.


Garden Suites: Similar to laneway houses, garden suites are secondary residences in the primary home's backyard. They offer self-sufficient living environments and are increasingly favoured for boosting housing density in urban settings while preserving the character of residential neighbourhoods.


Basement Apartments: Self-contained living spaces in the basement of a residential property. These usually have a distinct entrance. In-law Units (In-law Suites, In-law Flats) are separate living sections within a single-family home that cater to relatives, providing a comfortable space for parents or in-laws.


Detached Garages: These standalone structures are separate from the main house and traditionally store vehicles. They can also serve as storage areas or workshops. Adding a second-story apartment above garages is popular. Parking is premium in cities, and these structures provide the best of both worlds: keeping parking, storage, and adding living quarters above.


Carriage Houses and Coach Houses: Originally designed as outbuildings on larger estates to store horse-drawn carriages, carriage houses, and coach houses have often been repurposed as living accommodations, guest houses, or rental units while maintaining their historic architecture.


The Benefits of ADUs


Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) are indispensable in alleviating housing shortages and addressing affordability challenges within various communities. They also offer a wide range of personal and economic advantages for homeowners and tenants searching for budget-friendly rental options. Some key benefits include:


An Aging-in-Place Option for Seniors: ADUs can allow elderly relatives to stay in their community and maintain an important sense of connection with neighbours, friends, and family.


Rental Income: Homeowners can establish a dependable revenue stream with an ADU. These units represent a highly appealing affordable housing alternative.


Accommodation for Adult Children: An ADU can provide temporary living arrangements to adult children who may not be able to buy into the housing market or who want to be closer to their aging parents.


Dedicated Office/Creative Space: With more people working from home part-time or going entirely virtual, ADU can provide a more professional and comfortable work environment


But There's Another Payoff for ADUs 


Beyond these apparent benefits, I'm also struck by how ADUs can help us cultivate a stronger sense of community and intergenerational connection. Let me unpack this more and list some unique attributes of ADUs that make them so vital to our housing strategy:


Affordability: ADUs can also be more affordable than standalone houses, making them increasingly attractive for individuals or small families looking for budget-conscious living options.


Connection: ADUs are much closer to the primary residence. This allows younger renters to forge more meaningful relationships and interactions with their homeowners (many of whom are seniors).


Equity: For renters who want to move beyond an apartment or condo but lack the financial means, ADUs could present a great alternative. They also provide a unique way to give renters access to neighbourhoods where housing availability is a challenge. For young families, renting an ADU could allow them to place their children in better schools that require residency in the school district.


Support: As we age, we are more likely to need help maintaining our homes. For example, help with yard work and snow removal could be traded for reduced rent.  There is much to be said about the comfort and safety of having someone live a few steps away for our older generation. 


ADUs are a Key Part of the Government's Housing Strategy


The Federal Government just announced the expansion of the Canada Secondary Suite Loan Program. Here's what you need to know:


  • The loan amount has been increased to $80,000, and it has a 2% interest rate and a 15-year repayment term. 
  • In addition to the Secondary Suite Loan Program, homeowners can refinance with insured mortgages to help cover the cost of adding a secondary suite, starting January 15, 2025.
  • Lenders and insurers will begin allowing mortgage refinancing of up to 90 percent of the post-renovation value of their home up to $2 million, amortized for up to 30 years.
  • Homeowners can use this loan program and mortgage financing to help cover the cost of adding a secondary suite.


These developments should get us all thinking more about the possibilities of ADUs. The benefits for many people and the clear intergenerational win-win exchanges are compelling. Given the impact they could yield for seniors in unlocking the value of their home equity and the compelling social benefits they offer for communities, I'll be exploring ADUs in much more detail over the coming year. Stay tuned.


Don’t Retire … Re-Wire!


Sue

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Sue Pimento

Sue Pimento

Founder | CEO

Focused on financial literacy and retirement strategies. Authoring new book on home equity strategies to help seniors find financial freedom

Pension ReformInterest RatesHome EquityMortgagesReverse Mortgages

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Here's where most brokers stumble: they treat all seniors as if they're cut from the same cloth. They're not. Let's get real: seniors aren't a monolithic group. A 55-year-old and an 85-year-old? They're separated by 30+ years of life experience, different communication styles, varying financial literacy, and completely different emotional triggers around money. Cookie-cutter advice doesn't cut it. The best advisors listen first. They ask questions. They assess each client's actual financial situation—not what they assume it is—and then deliver advice that fits that person's life, not some generic "senior strategy." Respect Is the Real Differentiator Understanding a client's lifestyle, fears, and goals isn't just good ethics—it's good business. Seniors have finely tuned radar for sincerity. They can smell a sales pitch faster than a Labrador finds bacon. Want to stand out? Lead with curiosity, not a contract A holistic, solution-based approach positions you as a trusted advisor—not a product pusher. Once you earn that trust, referrals flow like coffee at a church social. From Product Pushing to Purpose Selling Here's the shift our industry needs:  Stop viewing seniors as a market. Start viewing them as individuals with layered needs. Solution selling isn't anti-reverse mortgage—it's anti-assumption. It ensures the whole problem gets solved, not just the one that fits your product lineup. Yes, over 25% of Canadians aged 55 and older are considering a reverse mortgage (Source: Canadian Mortgage Trends), and it might eliminate a monthly payment—but if it doesn't solve for cash flow, health costs, or income stability, you've only done half the job. The real opportunity? Elevate the conversation from product placement to purpose-driven advising. Advisors, Reset Your Lens Seniors don't need to be sold. 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