ADU Real Estate

In this episode, I sit down with Yusuf Mohammed — Chief Design Officer and Co-Founder of Plumis, creator of the award-winning Automist smart fire suppression system — to discuss one of the most overlooked costs in ADU development: fire protection requirements. While most homeowners focus on design, permits, and construction costs, many are surprised to discover that fire sprinkler requirements, wa...

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Moore, third-generation builder, design-build expert, and founder of Prospect 38 Construction, to talk about the evolving ADU market in Colorado and how it compares to what we’re seeing in California. We dive into the realities of building ADUs outside of California, including zoning changes, construction costs, political pushback, lending challenges, insuran...

In this episode, I sit down with Jared Jones — real estate investor, developer, and co-owner of Power of 2 Realty and Middle Housing Partners — to break down what’s really happening in small-lot development, middle housing, and scalable density in today’s market. With over 1,200 transactions, 450+ flips, 600+ developed doors, and more than $200M in managed real estate assets, Jared shares what it...

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Wilson , a seasoned real estate investor, developer, and lending professional with over 30 years of experience navigating multiple market cycles. Rob has seen it all booms, busts, stalled projects, rising interest rates, and deals that only worked because they were structured the right way . We go beyond spreadsheets and pro formas to talk about what actually d...

In this episode, Steph sits down with Nancy Kenny , a construction-focused loan officer with over 40 years of lending experience, to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in California real estate: how ADUs and SB9 projects are actually financed. Many homeowners and investors assume there’s a special “ADU loan” or “SB9 loan” that exists behind the scenes. The truth? These projects are fi...

In Episode 89 of the Steph Sells ADUs podcast, Steph sits down with Joshua Bennett - U.S. Army veteran, land use planner, and founder of ADU Wizard to unpack what’s really working in the ADU world right now. Joshua shares his journey from government planner to national ADU strategist, where he reviewed zoning, land use, environmental regulations, and critical areas for residential projects. That h...

In this power-packed episode, I sit down with Ryan O’Connell , founder of How To ADU and one of California’s leading voices in housing reform. Ryan manages a 200K+ member community helping homeowners, investors and professionals navigate the ever-changing world of ADUs and SB 9 development. Together, I and Ryan break down the newest California housing bills , from SB 1211 and AB 253 to SB 489 and...

In this illuminating episode, Steph sits down with Agapeh Allahverdi , award-winning lighting and interior designer, to explore how light shapes the way we feel , heal and live within our spaces. 🌞💡 From circadian lighting and color temperature to creating cohesive design between your main home and ADU , this episode dives deep into how thoughtful lighting design can elevate well-being, improve...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the intersection of construction, technology, and trust . My guest, Ethan Wolferman , has helped build over 280 ADUs across LA and San Diego and worked with hundreds of contractors, giving him a rare inside look at what’s really happening behind the scenes in today’s build process. We unpack how outdated systems and communication gaps create major headaches...

This episode dives deep into the next wave of housing innovation where ADUs, SB 9 and SB 1123 collide with private equity to reshape California’s housing market. I sat down with Jared Jones , Co-Founder of Middle Housing Partners , a real estate powerhouse managing over $200M in assets and pioneering micro-developments across Southern California. We talk about:  ✨ How Jared turned the 2008 crash...

In this emotional and strategy-packed episode, I sit down with RJ Jaramillo - a seasoned mortgage expert and fellow ADU trailblazer who joins us live from his own backyard JADU in San Diego. 💥 We dive into: How one 80-year-old used his backyard to create a caregiver unit for his wife with dementia 💔➡️❤️ The 3 “empty nester” options every homeowner should consider before retirement How RJ built a...

In this episode, I sit down with Felipe Hernandez , an ADU designer, permit consultant, and former building plan checker for the City of LA. Felipe brings the real insider knowledge because he used to be the one reviewing and approving your ADU plans. 👷🏽‍♂️📐 We dive deep into: His transition from working at LADBS to launching his firm, LA Lots The most common (and costly) ADU mistakes homeowner...

En esta segunda parte de la conversación con Felipe Hernandez , diseñador y consultor de permisos, hablamos 100% en español sobre lo que más se preguntan los dueños de casa latinos: 👉🏽 ¿Cuánto cuesta convertir un garaje en un ADU? Felipe comparte: El costo real de planos y permisos para una conversión típica 🧾 Qué factores pueden aumentar el precio (zonas montañosas, terrenos irregulares, etc.)...

Welcome back to Steph’s Podcast , your go-to show for all things ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) and real estate investing in California! In Episode 82 , I sit down with Babak Mortazavi , founder of LADU.co , for a high-impact conversation about the state of the ADU market, new California legislation, and the most effective multifamily development strategies for homeowners and investors in 2025 an...

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my soul sister and absolute powerhouse, Vianey Garay , to unpack one of the most overlooked keys to real estate success: management . Vianney’s story is inspiring — what started as a summer side hustle quickly turned into managing 75+ units , running 8 midterm/short-term rentals in Hermosa Beach , and now scaling toward boutique hotels . We break down:  ✨ Ho...

In this milestone 80th episode, I sit down with Richard Xiong , VP of ALI GCUS , a leading design-build company specializing in ADUs, construction, and real estate development across Southern California and NorCal. We cover:  ✅ How to scale an ADU design-build firm from 60 to 200+ projects a year  ✅ Insider tips for navigating city planning & permitting (and what most people miss)  ✅ How de...

In this powerhouse episode, Stephanie (@stephsellsadus) sits down with Dr. Sharon Barnes —a former attorney turned California Realtor, ADU author, speaker, and all-around trailblazer in the accessory dwelling unit world. Dr. Sharon breaks down how homeowners and real estate pros can tap into the ADU movement to build wealth, serve their communities, and navigate the legal landscape with confidence...

In this episode of Steph’s Podcast , I sit down with the amazing Maria Rogers —a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, franchise expert, funding broker, and ADU specialist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. 🇺🇸✨ Maria shares how she built Stillwater’s Tiny Homes , a family-run ADU + tiny home company that’s helping homeowners unlock the power of their properties. We talk about: 🔨 How ADUs are evolving a...

In this episode, I’m joined by Daria, an interior designer, architect, and real estate investor who brings a fresh perspective to the world of ADUs. We dive into innovative building solutions, including fire-resistant and energy-efficient alternatives to traditional construction, and why the U.S. (especially California) should be rethinking its approach. Daria shares insights from her European bac...

In this episode of Steps Podcast: All Things ADU , we sit down with Danny Johnson, of ADU Resource Center , to explore the game-changing impact of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in California’s housing market. With over 500+ ADUs designed and built across Southern California, Danny shares insider knowledge on how ADUs are transforming homeownership—whether for multigenerational living, rental inc...

In this episode, we sit down with Drew Pedrick, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of MCTIGUE, to explore the transformative power of Conscious Architecture . With over three decades of experience and a commitment to designing spaces that honor both people and the planet, Drew shares what it means to create responsibly and intentionally in today’s world. 🌍 Following the devastating fires in Lo...

In this episode, we dive into The Apartment Investors Playbook 🏢 with special guest David Evans , a seasoned expert in LA real estate and founder of Investment Property Advisors. With over $50M in transactions , David shares his journey from a first-time landlord to an investment powerhouse. 💼💡 We cover: ✅ Insider strategies for multifamily investing ✅ Property management tips for landlords...

Dive into Episode 73 of Steph’s Podcast! 🚀 This week, we're exploring the exciting world of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Massachusetts with expert David Hill! With over 36 years of experience in marketing, sales, and coaching, plus his own podcast with 400+ episodes, David shares invaluable insights on the growing ADU movement. 💡 What you’ll learn: 1️⃣ The latest ADU ordinances in Mas...

Join us as we sit down with Austin Ray Huffman, a third-generation real estate professional who’s carrying on his family’s remarkable legacy in San Diego's multifamily market. With over $450 million in commercial real estate transactions under his belt, Austin shares his journey from his Chapman University days to co-founding The Zorbas Huffman Group at Marcus & Millichap. Discover how hi...

Joining us is Brian Koons , a San Diego-based real estate developer and investor who's making waves in the growing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) market. What’s even more interesting is Brian’s diverse background—he served eight years in the Marine Corps, both as a band member and drill instructor. In 2020, he house-hacked a $1.2M four-unit property using his VA loan, which sparked his passion...