Category · Financing
Financing guides.
HELOC, construction loans, cash-out refi, and how to fund an ADU without a $300K bank account.
18 guides
Financing
HELOC vs Construction Loan for an ADU: Which Is Better?
HELOC vs construction loan for an ADU, compared honestly: pros, cons, and which financing path fits your equity, build, and budget in California.
October 5, 2026 · 8 min
Financing
ADU Loans in California: Your Financing Options (2026)
ADU loans in California explained: HELOCs, cash-out refis, construction-to-permanent, renovation and ADU-specific loans, so you can match the right loan to your build.
October 2, 2026 · 7 min
Financing
What Credit Score Do I Need for an ADU Loan?
There's no single credit score number that qualifies you for an ADU loan. It depends on the lender and the loan type. Here's how to get a real answer.
September 28, 2026 · 6 min
Financing
Using Future Rental Income to Qualify for an ADU Loan
Some lenders count an ADU's expected rent toward the income used to qualify for its own construction loan. Here is how that generally works.
September 27, 2026 · 7 min
Financing
Renovation Loans for an ADU
Renovation loans let you borrow against what your property will be worth after the ADU is built, not just its value today.
September 24, 2026 · 7 min
Financing
Paying Cash vs Financing an ADU
Some homeowners can pay cash for an ADU outright. Here's how that trade-off against financing really breaks down, beyond just avoiding interest.
September 23, 2026 · 9 min
Financing
Refinancing After Your ADU Is Built
Once an ADU is finished and appraised, some homeowners refinance to consolidate their construction loan, lower a rate, or pull out added equity.
September 23, 2026 · 8 min
Financing
Home Equity Loan vs HELOC for an ADU
A home equity loan and a HELOC both borrow against your home's equity, but they work very differently. Here's how to tell which fits your ADU project.
September 17, 2026 · 8 min
Financing
Using an FHA 203(k) Loan for an ADU
FHA expanded its 203(k) rehabilitation loan program to support accessory dwelling units. Here is what changed and how the program can apply to an ADU project.
September 16, 2026 · 8 min
Financing
Financing an ADU on an Empty Lot
Financing an ADU on a vacant lot works differently than financing one in your backyard, because there's no existing home to borrow equity against.
September 16, 2026 · 7 min
Financing
Can You Finance a Prefab ADU With a Mortgage?
Yes, prefab ADUs are financed the same way site-built ones are, through a HELOC, cash-out refinance, construction loan, or renovation loan. Here's how it works.
September 12, 2026 · 6 min
Financing
Cash-Out Refinance for an ADU: How It Works
A cash-out refinance swaps your mortgage for a larger one and gives you the difference in cash to fund an ADU. Here's how it works and who it fits.
September 11, 2026 · 9 min
Financing
How ADU Loan Rates Work in 2026
ADU loan rates are not one number. What you pay depends on the loan type, your credit and equity position, and the broader rate environment.
August 28, 2026 · 6 min
Financing
ADU Financing Options for Retirees
Retirees on a fixed income face different financing questions than working homeowners. Here are the main paths retirees use to fund an ADU, and where to get real guidance.
August 26, 2026 · 7 min
Financing
ADU Construction Loan Guide
A construction-to-permanent loan funds an ADU build in stages, then converts into a regular mortgage once the home is done. Here's how it actually works.
August 25, 2026 · 8 min
Financing
How to Finance an ADU Without Cash on Hand (4 Real Paths)
Four practical ways to finance a California ADU when you don't have $200K+ in liquid cash, HELOC, construction-to-permanent loan, cash-out refi, and specialized ADU lenders. Pros, cons, and the math.
August 23, 2026 · 8 min
Financing
California ADU Grant Programs: What Is Actually Available
California has offered ADU grant funding before, but availability changes. Here's the honest, current picture before you plan your budget.
August 1, 2026 · 7 min
Financing
How to Finance an ADU in California (HELOC, Construction Loans & More)
The practical guide to paying for an ADU in California, HELOC vs. construction-to-permanent vs. cash-out refinance, and how most homeowners actually fund their build.
July 30, 2026 · 3 min
Other Categories
Pricing
What an ADU actually costs, how the price is built up, and where the money goes.
Permits
California ADU law, city-by-city permit timelines, and what blocks an ADU build.
Process
Build quality, factory vs site-built, eligibility, and what to expect at each step.
Buying Guide
Comparisons, decision frameworks, and the practical math of building an ADU.
Local Guides
City-by-city permit processes, timelines, and rules across our service area, cited to official sources.
Comparisons
Model-by-model and option-by-option comparisons to help you choose with confidence.
Ready For The Real Numbers?
Let's see what these guides mean for your lot.
Reading is great. Knowing what's actually possible on your specific property is better. Tell us a bit about it below, and a real person on our team will follow up, free, no pressure.
- A shortlist of which models actually fit your lot
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- A clear next step, whether that is a factory tour or a feasibility study
- No pressure, and no obligation
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