Building a DADU wasn’t just a smart move for Karen’s next chapter; it was a wise investment, too. Her savings went into a project that increased her daughter’s property value, created future rental income potential, and built a lasting asset for her family’s future.
After many sunny years in San Diego, Karen was newly widowed, living far from her children and grandchildren in Seattle. She dreamed of being closer to them, but after so long in the warm California climate, the thought of Seattle’s long, rainy winters gave her pause. However, aging in place close to her family was the priority.
Karen wanted a solution that allowed her to live near family full-time, while still keeping options open for occasional sunny getaways. While researching aging-in-place opportunities, she discovered that Seattle’s new relaxed zoning laws allowed homeowners to build detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) — cozy backyard homes up to 1,000 square feet.
Excitingly, her daughter’s property qualified — and that’s when Karen called Ballard Backyard Cottages.
From the very first conversation, we helped Karen navigate the entire journey — from permitting to design to move-in day. Working closely with our team, she created a custom 550-square-foot cottage, perfectly tailored to her needs and lifestyle.
Building a DADU wasn’t just a smart move for Karen’s next chapter; it was a wise investment, too. Her savings went into a project that increased her daughter’s property value, created future rental income potential, and built a lasting asset for her family’s future.
Today, Karen is thriving. Her cozy DADU is filled with sunlight, clever furniture choices, cherished thrifted treasures, and grandchildren. Her backyard cottage feels anything but small. She regularly hosts gatherings of twelve guests—something she once thought impossible—thanks to the smart layout and thoughtful design we created together.
Karen’s story is a shining example of how Ballard Backyard Cottages helps families stay close, invest wisely, and create homes full of joy and connection.
When you’re ready to build your and your family’s futures, we’re ready to help.