logo-blue

Press

Urban Renewal and The New City Lifestyle

This article originally appeared in the La Jolla Light

Urban development is rethinking not only housing but the entire way we live. With a focus on making urban centers actual centers of residents’ lives, not only is the city center becoming a great place to live, it’s becoming the ideal spot to set up business.

However, urban redevelopment isn’t some revolutionary mode of thinking; in fact, it’s more like going back—way back—to ancient Greece. Apple has talked about their stores as being like “agoras,” the gathering places of 2,000 years ago, the centers in which people came together near where they lived. They shopped, they exchanged stories, and they learned the latest local gossip as well as information on what was going on with the state. And that is what urban redevelopment aims to do in this massive transformation back to becoming a pivotal neighborhood center.

With mixed-use housing, people can work where they live and live where they work, reducing commute, potentially even the need for a car. They can avoid the frustration of getting home only to recall the forgotten item on the grocery list. In mixed-use housing, the basic needs are a flight of stairs or an elevator ride away.

These new urban agoras build on a sense of community loyalty, something a lot of power players in retail have been aware of in the last few years. With online retail cutting into much of the brick-and-mortar business, causing an epidemic of shuttered windows throughout cities, and coupled with soaring rents, much of the prevailing mode of business that we knew up to the 1990s is likely over.

But this isn’t necessarily the case in places with urban renewal. Businesses getting in on the ground floor, literally and metaphorically, have great opportunities to get high returns on their investment. And with this new focus on the “agora” lifestyle, retailers are focusing on the store experience and the services that can be provided in person, rather than focusing on product-pushing alone.

We see evidence of this in the many pop-up shops and spaces for local artisans as well as other maker spaces that are drawing a trusted local following. These really are cities of the streets, highlighting the social exchange via walkability.

What is the fate of the urban center? Can it grow out of control?

This is where local investment comes in. There are several ways that urban redevelopment and retail will trend, and what businesses go in and the people who support these neighborhood spaces will determine which trend takes hold.

  • Mutable Markets—these are the temporary shops, the pop-ups, which serve to create a following and then move on to the next location, where hopefully word-of-mouth will precede their arrival. These shops may become the business norm, especially in the face of exorbitant rents.
  • High-end Gentrification—this is the upscaled model, in which high-end retailers start to offer increasingly personalized retail experiences. These are often stores that promote lifestyle brands, the kind that look good on Instagram accounts and YouTube celebrity pages. They can operate at a loss, while using predictive algorithms to create increasingly individualized experiences. The risk of this is that gentrification will lead to even higher rents and rapidly change the dynamic of a neighborhood, which can benefit some groups but certainly not a majority. This is less “agora” and more private club.
  • Community Commons—this focuses around the coffeehouse-as-living space, the office café, and people working independently and based on a digital economy taking advantage of potential tax penalties for street-level vacancies, which would allow for leasing of ground-floor retail space to common areas. This also includes community organizations as well as health centers for seniors or day care centers for children. These common areas would be determined by the needs of the community; however, they don’t always pose inviting street fronts if they don’t cater to the entire community.
  • Indie Guilds—this is the “buy local” movement, the low-cost start up entrepreneurial opportunity made up of small, independently owned and operated craft businesses that benefit from lower rents and loyal followings. The guild comes from a share of infrastructure, smaller businesses banding together, sharing equipment costs and rent as well as space. Imagine if Etsy were brick-and-mortar, and you’ll get the idea of the Indie Guild.

What all these opportunities suggest is the importance of a community-involved urban redevelopment plan, including local investors who know and understand the community’s needs. Mixed-use urban development isn’t going away, but in an age of increasing bubble isolation, these gathering places are a means for people to reconnect on the neighborhood level while providing ease of access and improved quality of life.

Next month, we’ll take a look at how the use of technology is revolutionizing construction projects, including urban infill and mixed-use development projects.

At Murfey Company, we’re dedicated to whole community improvement and will work with you on your investment into urban development with an eye toward community sustainability. For more information, visit us at www.murfeycompany.com.

Read More

The Granny Flat

This article originally appeared in Ranch & Coast

What you need to know about San Diego’s new accessory dwelling unit ordinance

Last fall, California passed new legislation to make it easier for San Diego homeowners to build accessory dwelling units on their property. In large part, this is a response to the housing crisis, and is a way to give San Diego homeowners more control over what they do with their property. This legislation took effect this past January.

First, an accessory dwelling unit is a small dwelling on the property of a pre-existing residence. This can include a converted garage, a small apartment over the garage, or a basement apartment. Sometimes, these are small structures built onto a foundation behind the main house. Once known as “mother-in-law’s quarters,” you might now know an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) as a “granny flat.” In San Diego luxury homes, you’ve probably heard them called “casitas.”

Now, it’s a homeowner’s right to build an ADU on their property, without the enormous fees that used to be required to get the permits, as long as the ADU meets certain building code guidelines.

In the new legislation, if a garage is being converted into an ADU, the only requirement is that the new dwelling pass fire safety standards and show proof of sewer/septic service and water. All provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation must be included on the same parcel.

One inhibition is that an ADU cannot be added to a lot that already has an existing guest living quarter or accessory apartment.

Because of the increase in property values and home costs, not to mention the increased cost of living, Millennials have had a harder time buying homes in California, especially if they’re working on building their career. Families may want to help out, but some may find it difficult to have adult children living at home (or, for that matter, to be an adult child still living at home). In many ways, the ADU is the perfect compromise, giving everyone a little autonomy and independence.

The same is true for elderly relatives who many not feel comfortable (or be able to afford) living on their own, but who are not yet ready to move into an assisted living facility. Having an ADU is the perfect balance of keeping an aging relative close without having to be on top of each other all the time.

An ADU is also beneficial for those who have out-of-state family or regular houseguests but want to retain a modicum of privacy. An added benefit to this is that the ADU can serve as an office or workout room when not being used by guests.

For many homeowners, though, ADUs are the perfect compromise of having an income property with a much lower commitment requirement than owning a separate property.

For more information on building an ADU or remodeling an existing structure on your property according to the new legislation, or if you have questions about any part of the luxury home design and building process, connect with the team at Murfey Company. 858.459.6865, murfeycompany.com

Read More

Busting the Myths of Higher-Density, Mixed-Use Development

This article originally appeared in the La Jolla Light

Last month, we talked about our excitement over our real estate development and investment division, and the possibilities it opens up for creating new, unique properties and use of space in San Diego. But we know that there are some stigmas that the phrases “mixed-use” and “higher-density” evoke. Fortunately, studies have already been conducted between various organizations that represent builders and developers in conjunction with environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club, and they have found some good news to help assuage those concerns. Let’s break down some of the big myths behind mixed-use and higher-density development.

Myth 1: Mixed-use housing means more people aren’t paying property taxes to support infrastructure

The truth? Sure, renters don’t pay property tax, at least not directly. But the apartment owners do, as part of their commercial real estate taxes. So the money is going into the city’s infrastructure. What’s more is that with an increase in urban density, less infrastructure is needed. The bigger problem is urban sprawl, which requires more infrastructure to support with new roads and expanded services (such as police and fire, for example).

Myth 2: Higher-density development puts a strain on public services, especially public schools

The truth? The majority of families with children still occupy single-family homes. One study found that single-family developments average 64 children for every 100 units, but only 21 children per 100 units in garden apartments, and an even lower 19-100 living in mid- and high-rise apartments. So who is living in mixed-use development? Young people, childless couples, and empty nesters make up most of the residents. In fact, Baby Boomers are relocating in droves to urban centers to lessen commutes and enjoy city living.

Myth 3: But higher-density and mixed-use housing has to create more traffic and parking congestion

The truth? Actually, the opposite is true. Higher-density development breeds much less congestion. Especially now, when walking, biking, and public transportation resources are experiencing a boom, and even shared parking options are helping to prove that this myth is falser than a Lannister oath.

Myth 4: Higher-density developments lower the property values of the surrounding areas

The truth? According to extensive research, there is no real difference in rates of appreciation for properties located near higher-density development versus ones that aren’t.

Myth 5: Higher-density, mixed-use development is only for lower income households

The truth? A recent study showed that 41% of renters say they rent by choice and not out of necessity. And over the last decade, as urban centers are flourishing with new venues of culture and entertainment, people of every income group want a piece of that exciting and enriching lifestyle. In fact, the for the Baby Boomers flocking to urban centers, 90% of them say a big enticement is greater access to cultural experiences.

Myth 5: Higher density means higher crime

The truth? Again, the data doesn’t pan out. There is no significant difference in the crime rates of higher- and lower-density developments.

Myth 6: You can’t “Go Green” when you go higher-density

The truth? Lower-density development actually increases water and air pollution, and urban sprawl is more taxing on natural resources. Most low-density land is used inefficiently, which contributes to the loss of open space and farmland. And developing in urban areas where the infrastructure already exists requires fewer resources.

Myth 7: Higher density means a population explosion

The truth? Not necessarily. In fact, higher-density development really just means developing properties that have an increase in units over what currently exists, not that the Burj Khalifa is going in next door. Every neighborhood will have different needs, and cities will grow as population densities shift. But that doesn’t mean that you should expect to walk out your door and into the world of Blade Runner.

We believe that urban development has to happen responsibly, always keeping in mind the true heart of the community. That’s why the best investments in urban development come from within the community.

Next month, we’ll give you an inside look on the latest exciting possibilities of mixed-use, higher-density development and help you see what you get when you set up shop in an urban center. For more information on our recent multi-use developments, or to explore more of what we have to offer at Murfey Company, visit us at www.murfeycompany.com.

 

Read More

San Diego’s New Frontier of Mixed-Use Development

This article originally appeared in The La Jolla Light

At Murfey Company, we have been dedicated to the improvement of San Diego through innovative design and quality construction, and we believe in making a lasting investment in our communities. This is why we have launched several new divisions within Murfey Company, vertically integrated to include not just construction but also site acquisition, software development, as well as our real estate development and investments division called Veritas Urban Properties, where we specialize in urban infill projects and mixed-use housing.

While we’ve previously discussed adaptive reuse, we are now looking forward to the exciting prospects available for the revitalization of many of the downtown areas of San Diego.

Some people may be confused about the nature of mixed-use housing, what it entails, and how it can change the complexion of a city. But urban centers have long incorporated structures that contain both living spaces and commercial spaces on the street level. One benefit of this is to diminish heavy traffic by including amenities that are accessible without having to drive (and search for parking).

Mixed-use developments are designed to enhance the neighborhoods where they’re being built. An added benefit of a mixed-use development is that it tightens community bonds, giving hubs where people can come together, so that residents feel even more invested in their neighborhood. This is especially important in areas that have been either neglected or are just beginning their transitions—mixed-use development by committed investors gives an added boost to these transitioning communities.

But there is a very real and practical reason to build mixed-use developments: there just isn’t space anymore in San Diego, or in many other urban centers, to “sprawl.” While most of San Diego has been traditionally suburban, there isn’t enough raw land left to add on to those suburbs.

And it’s not only the amount of land left that affects the increase in urban infill projects. The lifestyles that were fairly static from after World War II through the early 2000s has undergone a drastic shift. People are increasingly looking for property near urban centers. Empty nesters are looking to downsize and be near useful amenities and stores. Young people are also flocking to urban centers so they can be near work, dining and nightlife, avoiding long commutes or relying totally on public transportation. San Diego has over 40 light-rail and bus stations now, making it easier than ever to move about the urban center. And a recent census statistic shows that only 25% of American households actually have the nuclear home—two parents, kids, and a pet. Fewer people are looking for that home on an acre of property than they were before. Couple this with the fact that the US population is projected to add over 40 million residents by 2020, and the importance of investing in mixed-use structures and urban infill projects becomes clear.

Some people are hesitant to invest in these projects since the economic downturn almost ten years ago, but there is plenty of capital for even selective investors. Also, while it isn’t critical, it is still preferably when investors come from within a community—they have a vested interest in doing what’s right for their community, and they will know best what is needed to make their neighborhood flourish.

Next month, we will cover facts versus myths of mixed-use development projects, including some statistics that may surprise you. For more information on our recent multi-use developments, or to explore more of what we have to offer at Murfey Company, visit us at www.murfeycompany.com.

Read More

Mistakes That Could Sink Your Luxury Home Build

This article originally appeared in The La Jolla Light

We have covered plenty of luxury home build “Dos” in our columns, including what to expect, how to prioritize, and how to expand your vision of a luxury home into something both personal and marketable. However, it’s also important to look at a few “Don’ts” for your building project. Some of these may seem minor (or even obvious), but experience has shown that these luxury home build Don’ts can turn the experience of building your dream house into a nightmare.

Don’t Get Carried Away with Details

Sure, Neuschwanstein Castle is a charming and famous tourist stop in Bavaria. But let’s remember that it’s still unfinished, almost 150 years after construction began, because King Ludwig II kept obsessively adding and changing details. It was also gaudy and garish for its time. (Things did not end well for Ludwig II.) Some people, when presented with a blank canvas on which to conjure their greatest fantasy, go overboard. Overboard on the details equates to exorbitantly expensive. Plot out a design and consult with your builder on what goes well together and how much it will all cost.

Don’t Get Lost in the Details

There are many decisions to be made when customizing your luxury dream home, including everything from how big to make a doorway to the slope of a roof to quartz versus marble countertops to where to put the dungeon and how thick to make the portcullis. There is a point in the design process when some homeowners get the glazed over look in their eyes, as if one more decision will make them explode, especially if they haven’t done any preliminary research and have no idea what goes into a personalized building project. If you find yourself losing track or becoming overwhelmed with decisions, your builder can help you by creating a website for your build, or coming up with a portfolio that goes room by room through the design and building process. By organizing the process, you can better keep track of the decisions to be made and see how they all mesh together. Especially for a high-end home, it can be helpful to hire a designer, even if you have a solid idea of what you want.

Don’t Depend on Your Builder for Every Decision and Idea

On the opposite side of the coin, some people dread making any decision and want to lean on the builder to dictate every choice. This is counter-intuitive to building a luxury dream home, since it should be your dream home and not the contractor’s. Relying solely on a builder to make decisions can lead to a more standardized concept of a luxury home, lacking original details that personalize the structure. If your builder doesn’t specialize in design, your luxury home may be “nice,” which is a synonym for “cookie cutter” and “generic.” If you lack vision, hire a designer to give you ideas. But ultimately, you need to make the decisions. Often, people don’t know what they want until a builder makes a decision they don’t want—and then they blame the builder. This is why it is important to go into the building process with a solid plan laid out.

Don’t Forget that in Substituting Details, Something Must be Taken Away

This is similar to getting carried away with the details. With every change, make sure you clearly communicate with your builder. If you add to the initial plan during the course of the build, everything will be affected, from space to time frame to budget. When building a luxury dream home, we understand that you’re working with a much higher budget. But this makes it easier to sometimes forget if there is a maximum budget. King Ludwig II started off with enough money, but because he kept adding and changing, while attempting to build two other palaces simultaneously, his budget was drained, delaying construction. He was indebted, kept opening new lines of credit, and was finally declared insolvent and then deposed by the Bavarian government. Fortunately, most of us will not be deposed monarchs, but Ludwig II still provides a lesson that there is a limit, somewhere, that is important to keep in mind.

Don’t Forget that Delays are Inevitable

Almost every building project risks some delay. Often these can be beyond the builder’s control (El Niño, a storm in the Mediterranean that delays a shipment of Italian marble, a canyon fire, etc.). There can also be sudden neighborhood disputes over the build, or maybe it will take longer than expected to get all the initial permits approved. Even being indecisive about which range to choose for the kitchen can cause delays for the entire building team. If you are unable to make several decisions, creating prolonged delays, understand that your building team has a schedule and other clients planned. So realize that while there is an initial move-in date projected, your builder can’t guarantee that was final, so plan your living situation accordingly, and always have a contingency plan. If you take a break in the construction, they will go onto other projects, and your project will have to wait until they’ve finished with the other one.

If you’ve sensed a common theme here, it’s that having a solid plan and communicating with your licensed, professional, and experienced luxury home builder, with the help of a professional designer, are invaluable to a successful luxury home build. There is no such thing as a guaranteed drama-free construction project, but there are plenty of things you can do to avoid a nightmare build. To get started on your luxury home build, or if you’re interested in a remodel, or if you have any questions about the luxury home design and building process, contact us for expertise at www.murfeycompany.com.

Read More

Water Features and Your Luxury Home: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

This article originally appeared in the La Jolla Light

We at Murfey Company get excited about the many ways to add character to a luxury home, especially the many types of water features. This is true not just of pools and spas; a serene space with a koi pond or a stream or waterfall can turn a home from cookie-cutter to one-of-a-kind, which is one of the most important distinctions of a luxury home.

But there are a few things to keep in mind when you use water features to give your property a distinctive charm (or edge). With La Jolla beaches in the news for high bacteria levels and low health grades, now is a good time to look at water safety around your home as well.

Even with a pump and filter, water features require proper maintenance. If your property is surrounded by a lot of nature or is near a hillside, you have the potential for contamination through excess runoff or contact with wild animals. You don’t need to set traps or bring out the bleach (which can be harmful to animals and your property). You will want to hire a professional on an ongoing basis with experience in monitoring and maintaining pools and ponds. If you are the type who loves doing the outdoor work yourself, make sure you read up on the proper chemicals to use—and that you actually have enough time for regular upkeep.

Untreated pond water may become infested with parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium, which like to take up warm, cozy residence in human and animal intestinal tracts. What is sneaky about these types of parasites is that you don’t have to drink the water they inhabit to become infected; incidental contact of the hands and then simply touching your mouth afterward without washing can be enough to open a parasite motel in your digestive system.

Bacteria such as E. coli from infected runoff or even pet waste can also find their way into your water feature. While you aren’t as likely to go swimming in your own koi pond, for example, and accidentally swallow that water, cyanobacteria found in the common pond scum algae can trigger rashes with minimal contact and can be harmful to children and pets, who may be more likely to ingest the water.

Warm weather and stagnant water go together like mosquitoes and misery. There are very real health concerns with mosquito-borne illnesses, but even without the disease, biting bugs will ruin your tranquility and defeat the purpose of your luxurious outdoor space.

With all the attention going into protecting your health, don’t forget that if you have a feature such as a koi pond, or any water feature that is filled with or caters to animals, be sure that the pond is habitable and healthy for them. Using chemicals such as bleach or any cleanser not specifically marketed for home pond maintenance can be highly toxic and kill off your fish or other animals. Some home remedies recommend a simple cleaning solution using vinegar—but never use vinegar while the fish are still in the pond! Be aware, too, of chemical runoff from fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides that you may use around other parts of your yard. Either avoid such toxic chemicals in your yard or arrange the water feature to be impervious to runoff or leeching surrounding groundwater.

Finally, as with any water feature around the home, always be aware of the hazards of drowning. Don’t leave children unsupervised, even around shallow ponds. Adults should also take caution (and be watchful of pets), especially around water features that are surrounded by rocks or stepping stones, which could become slick.

These warnings should not dissuade you from making your luxury backyard extraordinary with some spectacular water features. To keep your luxury home’s backyard glamorous, and not like a scene out of a plague film, keep up regular and proper maintenance and consider hiring an experienced company to monitor the proper pH and bacteria levels around your home.

Luxury means getting exactly the home of your dreams—it’s an investment you can love and that reflects who you are. When planning your dream luxury home, contact us for expertise on planning and building at www.murfeycompany.com.

Read More

Architectural Backyards for the Luxury Home

This article originally appeared in the La Jolla Light

The early arrival of summer and the impending Memorial Day weekend remind us that living in Southern California is a perpetual celebration of the great outdoors. Therefore, when designing the perfect luxury home, especially in Southern California, the backyard should not be a secondary consideration. In reality, the backyard should be an extension of the luxury home, complete with outdoor room, pool and hot tub, and water features.

What is important is to have a yard that reflects who you are. If you have a cheeky sensibility, there’s nothing stopping you from that grotto or tiki hut, or a miniature erupting volcano (real lava is discouraged, however). Fans of nature and tenth grade literature classes may want to recreate Walden Pond and spend two weeks watching an ant colony (actually encouraged by some mindfulness gurus). The key is to not be afraid to think big. Some important staples, however:

The pool
In rare exceptions, a spectacular pool is a must-have for a luxury home. But how you pool is entirely up to your tastes. Meandering, river-like pools can be ideal for a property with an odd shape or one on multi-levels or a hillside. If you have a view, an infinity pool with a straight edge over a promontory will perfectly frame the property. Lap pools are more than an accessory for the avid swimmers, and nothing says “decadence” like taking a play from William Randolph Hearst, or rolling like a celebrity with a pool shaped as your initials.

And with pool comes hot tub. Some people like lounge seats, some like bench–build it big enough so everyone is satisfied.

Water features
Ponds, streams, fountains, waterfalls–any of these can be combined to accommodate any aesthetic, from classic, serene, kitschy, or a water disco. If you have a larger property, decide how you want to mark off that property. If you have multi-levels, you can have multi-functionality, a different use for each level. Or you can connect the parts with an extended water feature, such as a stream or river pool (not just for the justifiably over-chlorinated water parks). This will help you to utilize more of your space, as it invites you and guests to spend time exploring the grounds.

Outdoor rooms
The single most important feature of a luxury backyard. Will you have a luxury pergola or an indoor-outdoor space, which can be three-quarters open or able to be fully enclosed (for those frigid 70-degree nights).

A note: a luxury backyard is no place for a mere kettle barbecue. You want an outdoor kitchen with table and seating. You want built-in grills, fridge, and a wine fridge. You want practical lighting and chandeliers. And you want fire. An actual fireplace, plus a fire pit (though not in an enclosed space–and still no lava). You also want a place to mount and display an outdoor television.

Sports
Tennis court, volleyball court (sand or grass), basketball court, soccer field, or rock wall—if you build it, they will come.

Art
This is what separates the amateurs from the professional backyardists. Sculpture–architectural, classically artistic, or a light installation–is sure to add drama. Just make sure that the installations, as with any of your backyard elements, has the necessary permits, and you’ve consulted with your designer or contractor to make sure everything functions properly and is safely constructed and installed.

If you want more information on developing the perfect backyard for your luxury home or if you have questions about any part of the luxury home design and building process, visit us at www.murfeyconstruction.com.

Read More

Accessory Dwelling Units: Beyond the Granny Flat

This article originally appeared in the La Jolla Light

With the newly increased freedom of building an accessory dwelling unit—an ADU—on your property because of recent California legislation comes a multitude of options for how to use your ADU structure.

Commonly known as the granny flat, an ADU is a worthwhile investment to your luxury home even if you don’t plan to use it as an income property or to stash visiting or extended-stay relatives (but the space is still nice to have for them in a pinch). Because of the new residential codes, ADUs still need to have electricity and plumbing, so make sure your design plan comes with a bathroom. The great part of ADUs is their versatility—you can use them for just about anything.

Home office

Working from home is always more effective when you have a dedicated space. This is even more true of the detached backyard office: You can actually leave your home life behind and move to another building, even if it is a twenty-foot walk. Just that little separation has been shown to increase productivity of professionals who work from home, maximizing efficiency so that you actually have time to enjoy your luxury home.

Another upside to consider is that with a home office, there are ways to get special tax deductions for your home office space. There are two methods of deductions, the regular option and the simplified option, in which you multiply your home office’s square footage by $5, up to 300 square feet. Your home office must be your regular office, used exclusively for business, or it must be the place where you meet with clients. For more information on the types of home office deductions, visit https://www.irs.gov/uac/top-six-tips-about-the-home-office-deduction.

Home studio

For the creatives, maybe you want the look of an artist’s loft to write your memoirs, or maybe you are working on a collection of paintings to show at a gallery. One caveat is that if you’re setting up your own home recording studio, this will require a special audio/visual setup by a professional, as well as soundproofing, and acoustic paneling—it is a separate beast from a more versatile dwelling unit.

But if you are a professional artist and your home studio is your primary place of work, then the home office tax deduction mentioned above may apply to you.

Yoga studio or meditation room

Nothing says “luxury home” like your own dedicated space for exercise, yoga, or mediation. Make sure that your design has enough room to fully extend with room leftover for additional movement, or it will be a pretty stilted exercise.

Home brewery or cask room

Why not? Maybe you’ll create the next great Southern California microbrew.

Reading retreat

Ideal if you need a quiet place away from everyone to finish that book you started four months ago or you need to hide from the rest of your family for a couple of hours. Because this is a dwelling unit and not a shed, it will have a lock to keep everyone else out of your hair.

There are many companies that make prefab sheds and modular structures with customizable options, or you can have one built to your own specifications. You want to make sure your ADU has plenty of natural light coming in from large windows. For one thing, you want to take advantage of any outdoor landscaping that can provide a good view. But any work in an office or for a studio will necessitate an airy space with windows that can open, especially if you work with paint or other chemicals used in art.

Having a versatile, airy design will also be an asset to your home’s resale value. French doors or a large sliding door, plenty of windows, or even a skylight feature are critical to giving your accessory dwelling unit the feel of an actual room and not a garden shed.

With a luxury home, you want your accessory dwelling unit—whether it serves as your office, your studio, or your retreat—to fit into the design of your home and not have the feel of an afterthought. Or a creepy shed.

Next month, we’ll get into how your backyard can be its own architectural feature (no creepy sheds allowed).

If you want more information on building your backyard office or home studio or if you have questions about any part of the luxury home design and building process, visit us at www.murfeyconstruction.com.

Read More

In Praise of the Granny Flat: What You Need to Know about San Diego’s New Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance

This article originally appeared in the La Jolla Light

Last fall, California passed new legislation to make it easier for San Diego homeowners to build accessory dwelling units on their property. In large part, this is a response to the housing crisis and is a way to give San Diego homeowners more control over what they do with their property. This legislation took effect this January.

First, an accessory dwelling unit is a small dwelling on the property of a pre-existing residence. This can include a converted garage, or a small apartment over the garage, or a basement apartment. Sometimes, these are small structures built onto a foundation behind the main house. Once known as “mother-in-law’s quarters,” you might know an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) as a “granny flat.” In San Diego luxury homes, you’ve probably heard them called “casitas.”

Now, it’s a homeowner’s right to build an ADU on their property, without the enormous fees that used to be required to get the permits, as long as the ADU meets certain building code guidelines.

In the new legislation, if a garage is being converted into an ADU, the only requirement is that the new dwelling pass fire safety standards and show proof of sewer/septic service and water. All provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation must be included on the same parcel.

One inhibition is that an ADU cannot be added to a lot that already has an existing guest living quarter or accessory apartment.

Because of the increase in property values and home costs, not to mention the increased cost of living, Millennials have had a harder time buying homes in California, especially if they’re working on building their career. Families may want to help out, but some may find it difficult to have adult children living at home (or, for that matter, to be an adult child stuck living at home). In many ways, the ADU is the perfect compromise, giving everyone a little autonomy and independence.

The same is true for elderly relatives who many not feel comfortable (or be able to afford) living on their own, but who are not yet ready to move into an assisted living facility. Having an ADU is the perfect balance of keeping an aging relative close without having to be on top of each other all the time.

An ADU is also beneficial for those who have out-of-state family or regular houseguests but want to retain a modicum of privacy. An added benefit to this is that the ADU can serve as an office or workout room when not being used by guests.

For many homeowners, though, ADUs are the perfect compromise of having an income property with a much lower commitment requirement than owning a separate property.

Next month, I’ll discuss how the right accessory dwelling unit can be the perfect addition to your backyard retreat.

If you want more information on building an ADU or remodeling an existing structure on your property according to the new legislation, or if you have questions about any part of the luxury home design and building process, visit us at www.murfeyconstruction.com.

Read More