Mother-in-law house.These areas go by many names, including “granny flats,” “casitas,” and the technical sounding “accessory dwelling unit,” or ADU. They can house a further member of the family or provide rental income—­allowing child boomers to afford their house as soon as they retire or helping millennials pay the mortgage. More municipalities, particularly in Western cities, are amending zoning laws to permit for ADUs. When Alec and Jennifer Harmes spent $264,900 for their first home in 2011—a 1,500-square-foot ranch fixer-­upper in Austin, Texas—they assumed they might be living there for many years.

Earlier this 12 months, Zonda Media launched its 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, citing the trend of exterior improvement initiatives offering the greatest return on funding . With the exception of a minor kitchen transform, fixes on the skin of a house represent eleven of the 12 main investments. Notably, siding, stone veneer, and garage door replacements prime …