For a long time, Elaine didn’t believe homeownership was an option for her. She spent years living frugally, shared an apartment with roommates, and saw buying a house as something that other people did.
With encouragement and support from her parents, Elaine eventually purchased a home in Irvine. When they asked her when she was going to build an ADU, the idea felt as far-fetched as buying a house once had. It took Samara’s financing to make the numbers work—and with them, what felt possible.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Elaine. I live in Irvine, California, and I’m a strategic area and infrastructure planner for the government.
You’re a first-time homeowner, how did that come together for you?
It all began around the time I graduated from grad school in 2013. My parents started to ask me when I was going to buy a home and the idea felt ludicrous. I was renting a small bedroom and sharing a bathroom with three girls and barely making ends meet. I batted away the suggestion.
As my career stabilized, my finances did as well. I got to a point where I was like, “OK, if I can rent an apartment, maybe that money could be better directed toward a mortgage.”
My mom is a realtor, so that made it really easy to start looking at homes. Eventually my mom found this home and she was obsessed with it because it had so many fruit trees, which I’ve now basically taken out.
My parents helped me with a big portion of the down payment and I’m so lucky to have that financial support. At the height of the pandemic, I moved into this home in Irvine with the help of one colleague and it was such an incredible shift in my life.
When and why did you start thinking about building an ADU for yourself?
Shortly after buying my home, my parents started to raise the question—“When are you going to build an ADU?”—as if it were a given. I was just like, “Please, people. I bought a home. You should be happy.”
Eventually I started to consider the possibility. I had seen Samara on the internet, but at the time it just seemed way too nice and bougie. But I thought, “Why not? Let’s just explore.”
I got connected to one of the salespeople, and she was the most welcoming, kind, patient person to work with. She was so low-pressure. She was like, “Let’s just check it out. I’ll come to your site, take a look, and let you know whether or not it’s feasible.”
What pushed you from thinking about it into actually doing it?
Samara has an option where you can get a second mortgage. This enabled me to afford it because the mortgage, in comparison to the rent and all the other associated costs, would really work in my favor.
What pushed you from thinking about it into actually doing it?
Samara has an option where you can get a second mortgage. This enabled me to afford it because the mortgage, in comparison to the rent and all the other associated costs, would really work in my favor.
What mattered most to you when deciding who to work with?
My expectation was that this wasn’t going to be a perfectly smooth process. Construction is not easy. You’re playing with so many different pieces and it’s impossible for it to be exactly the way you predict it to be.
What’s important is that you’re working with someone who can solve problems with you, who can be flexible, who can be supportive, and who, when challenges arise, is willing to work through them with you. And like every relationship, you’re not always going to get everything exactly the way you want, but when it works, you get most of what you want.
I felt like Samara had my back. They were dependable, and when challenges arose, they were there working through it with me.
How are you using your Backyard today?
I have my first ADU tenant who moved in a couple of weeks ago, and it’s been fantastic.
He’s a veterinarian and he has a dog. The fencing creates a really nice separation that feels spacious. He has his privacy back there and I don’t even hear him ever. We had dinner a couple of nights ago; he brought his dog and I invited a colleague from a former job, and we had a little dinner party in my house.
I love being able to share my space. Life feels a little sweeter and richer. I recognize that not everyone wants someone in their backyard, but I really value the added connection and utilization of otherwise unused space.
“Having an ADU is a reminder that things are a lot more possible than I let myself believe.”
Elaine
Can you walk through what it cost, what it earns, and how the financing works?
Oh my gosh. This seems like a test.
The total cost was around $308,000, and with the second mortgage, I ended up having to pay around $1,600 per month. I bring in $3,000 in rent per month. So the rental income covers the cost of the mortgage, but there are also other associated costs, property improvements, as well as property taxes.
I got very lucky. The rent is relatively high in Orange County and it all worked out for me.
You put a lot of thought into the landscaping. What was your vision there?
Signing the contract, I already knew how I wanted to divide the property. I wanted to make sure that the front house and the ADU had their own separate backyard spaces and full access around the property.
I had a very limited budget and I considered all sorts of things. Eventually, I narrowed my selection to corrugated metal as well as redwood two-by-two slats for the gates. I planted aloes that I had on the left and some bougainvillea on the right and had a friend pour concrete pavers for us. It came together so much better than I even dreamed it could.
Do you see yourself using the unit differently in the future?
It’s a little hard for me to imagine a time when I won’t need a renter. But I have considered the possibility of my aging parents moving into the front home and me moving into the back. Housing in this area is expensive and it would be nice to have my parents closer by.
How important is Backyard’s design to you? Do you have a favorite feature?
Backyard’s design is really lovely. It is very simple and high-quality, and I really like those elements in design.
Wherever you stand in the ADU, you’re able to catch a glimpse of the outside because of the placement of the windows. The higher ceilings in the living room, kitchen, and bedroom make it feel so much more spacious than it actually should be, given the size.
“I recognize that not everyone wants someone in their backyard, but I really value the added connection and utilization of otherwise unused space.”
Elaine
What about the Samara experience surprised you in a good way?
I was pleasantly surprised by how willing Samara was to work with me when difficulties arose. For instance, the city of Irvine wanted me to sign away some of my property rights. And as a former city planner, I knew that was contrary to what state law allows.
Rather than pressuring me to wrap it up so that construction could move forward, Samara was very supportive. They even had some representatives talk to the city. They let me battle it out until the city finally relented and took away that requirement—not just for me, but months later, for all future ADU applicants—which felt like a huge win.
Would you recommend Samara to others?
I would recommend Samara to others, especially if they have a lot going on in their life and they need someone that they can trust to handle the project from start to finish.
Samara’s ADU is such a high quality product and the people that work there are really incredible. Especially those who are coming to make fixes and prepare the site. They’re tireless, easy to work with, and so respectful.
What does having this ADU mean for you?
Having an ADU is a reminder that things are a lot more possible than I let myself believe.
I didn’t let myself believe that I could buy a home. I struggled to believe that I could build an ADU. I put certain limitations on my life, and being able to persevere beyond that limitation has been such an incredible experience.
My ADU ultimately reminds me that life is for trying and that possibility begins when you let yourself believe. What do you wanna try? ●
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