EP 97: The ADU Mistakes That Can Cost Homeowners Thousands

In Episode 97, I sit down with Yvette Hitchens, California real estate broker, educator, entrepreneur, founder of The Hitchens Team, and creator of The MH Trainer, to talk about both sides of ADU ownership: the opportunities ADUs can create and the costly mistakes homeowners need to avoid.With nearly three decades of experience in real estate, Yvette has worked with buyers, sellers, landlords, veterans, manufactured housing clients, and property owners. In this conversation, we get into the realities of using real estate and ADUs to create additional income, but also why choosing the right contractors, tenants, and professionals can make or break your investment.We dive into:• How Yvette’s son used an ADU to offset his mortgage• Why ADUs can create a path toward homeownership and long-term flexibility• Using Section 8 as an ADU rental strategy• Why tenant screening should always be treated like a business decision• The danger of making emotional decisions when renting to friends or family• How fake documents and pay stubs are making tenant screening more complicated• The contractor red flags every ADU homeowner should know• Why you should always verify licenses, bonds, reviews, and payment schedules• How Yvette’s sister lost tens of thousands of dollars to an unlicensed ADU contractor• Why large upfront construction payments should be a major red flag• How homeowners can better protect themselves before beginning an ADU project• Why working with experienced professionals can save you from extremely expensive mistakesADUs can be an incredible tool for creating income, offsetting a mortgage, housing family members, and building long-term wealth, but only when the project and property are managed correctly.The opportunity is real, but so are the risks.If you're considering building an ADU, hiring a contractor, becoming a landlord, or using rental income to make homeownership more affordable, this episode is one you don’t want to [email protected]