ADU Real Estate

Stephanie Gutierrez

Steph's Podcast  is a place where we will share all things real estate, specifically ADUs & Multifamily. From past client's sharing their experiences to local businesses, entrepreneurship , & mindset. A look into perspectives within the real estate space to collectively educate and impact our communities. I hope that these shared stories & perspective's on this podcast resonates with many of you. Most importantly we're here to have fun so let’s go!Follow me on Instagram@stephsellsadus@the_ADU_play@gg_Investments_ Check out my website: www.adugginvestments.org

  1. JAN 14

    EP 90 How to Finance SB9 & ADU Projects with Nancy Kenny

    In this episode, Steph sits down with Nancy Kenny, a construction-focused loan officer with over 40 years of lending experience, to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in California real estate: how ADUs and SB9 projects are actually financed. Many homeowners and investors assume there’s a special “ADU loan” or “SB9 loan” that exists behind the scenes. The truth? These projects are financed using traditional and non-traditional construction, renovation, and investor loan programs and knowing how to structure them correctly makes all the difference. Nancy shares: Why there is no ADU-specific loan (and what lenders really use instead)How renovation HELOCs, construction loans, and investor programs fund ADUsHow appraisers determine after-repair value (ARV) for ADU propertiesWhy SB9 projects are often easier to finance and appraise than traditional ADUsReal-world examples showing how ADUs can turn a single-family home into a cash-flowing assetWhat lenders look for when evaluating ADU and SB9 feasibilityWhy ADUs and lot splits are becoming essential to making California real estate pencilWe also discuss what’s coming next including potential Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac updates, upcoming educational events and why building the right ADU-focused team is critical for success. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to add income, or an investor exploring ADUs and SB9 strategies for 2026 and beyond, this episode delivers practical insights you can actually use. Connect with Nancy: Website: https://vintagelending.com/ Email:  nancy@vintagelending.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/nancykennyloans/ Connect with me: 📧 stephanie@adugginvestments.org Website: www.adugginvestments.org Youtube: www.youtube.com/@stephsellADU Instagram: @StephSellsADUs

    29 min
  2. 12/05/2025

    EP 89 Zoning Expert ➡️ ADU Strategist | Joshua's Take with Joshua Bennett

    In Episode 89 of the Steph Sells ADUs podcast, Steph sits down with Joshua Bennett - U.S. Army veteran, land use planner, and founder of ADU Wizard to unpack what’s really working in the ADU world right now. Joshua shares his journey from government planner to national ADU strategist, where he reviewed zoning, land use, environmental regulations, and critical areas for residential projects. That hands-on experience revealed a massive knowledge gap for homeowners looking to build ADUs which ultimately led him to start his own consulting business and later partner with LuxMod Homes to expand scalable, panelized housing solutions across the U.S. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why so many homeowners get stalled by zoning and conditional use permitsHow ADUs are shaping the future of housing nationwideWhy panelized and steel-frame builds are gaining momentumHow boomers can leverage ADUs for downsizing and rental incomeThe growing labor gap in the construction tradesWhy California is setting the national standard for ADU developmentJoshua also discusses how prefabricated and modular ADUs can reduce build time, labor costs, and long-term maintenance while still achieving top-tier property values. Whether you’re a homeowner, investor, builder, or housing advocate, this episode is packed with insight on how ADUs can solve housing challenges and unlock long-term wealth. 🎧 Tune in now to hear Joshua’s take on the future of housing, zoning and scalable ADU development. Connect with Joshua: Website: https://www.theaduwizard.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaduwizard/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADUWizardofficial Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-bennett-aduwizard/ Connect with me: 📧 stephanie@adugginvestments.org Website: www.adugginvestments.org Youtube: www.youtube.com/@stephsellADU Instagram: @StephSellsADUs

    36 min
  3. 10/31/2025

    EP 88 - How to ADU with Ryan O'Connell

    In this power-packed episode, I sit down with Ryan O’Connell, founder of How To ADU and one of California’s leading voices in housing reform. Ryan manages a 200K+ member community helping homeowners, investors and professionals navigate the ever-changing world of ADUs and SB 9 development. Together, I and Ryan break down the newest California housing bills, from SB 1211 and AB 253 to SB 489 and explain how they reshape the ADU landscape for 2026 and beyond. They dive deep into: 🏗️ How the new third-party plan check law empowers homeowners to bypass city delays 🏠 Why ADUs and JADUs are finally gaining parity under state law ⚡ How to leverage SB 9, AB 1033 and other middle-housing bills for more units and higher ROI 📜 The growing role of HCD oversight and what it means for local cities 💡 Why transparency and accountability are the biggest wins for investors this year Whether you’re a homeowner planning your first backyard home, a multifamily investor scaling your portfolio or an ADU consultant navigating new policies, this episode is your roadmap to staying ahead of the curve. 🎧 Tune in, geek out and learn how to ADU smarter not harder. Connect with Ryan: Website: https://www.how-to-adu.com/ IG:https://www.instagram.com/ryanohousing/ ===== Connect with me: Connect with me: 📧 stephanie@adugginvestments.org Website: www.adugginvestments.org Youtube: www.youtube.com/@stephsellADU Instagram: @StephSellsADUs

    46 min
  4. 10/24/2025

    EP 87 The Art of Light | Creating Spaces that Heal & Inspire

    In this illuminating episode, Steph sits down with Agapeh Allahverdi, award-winning lighting and interior designer, to explore how light shapes the way we feel, heal and live within our spaces. 🌞💡 From circadian lighting and color temperature to creating cohesive design between your main home and ADU, this episode dives deep into how thoughtful lighting design can elevate well-being, improve sleep, and even attract the right tenants or buyers. Agapeh shares how she blended physics, interior design, and art to “paint with light,” plus her firsthand experience designing and living in her own ADU in Los Angeles - a story that will inspire any homeowner or investor looking to build mindfully and intentionally. You’ll learn: ✨ The science behind tunable white and dim-to-warm lighting ✨ How lighting influences mood, energy, and performance ✨ Why layered lighting (ambient, task, accent, and decorative) creates balance and flow ✨ Tips for cohesive design between ADUs and main homes ✨ The power of landscape and water lighting to expand and calm a space If you’ve ever walked into a room and thought “something feels off,” this episode will show you why and how to fix it. Connect with Agapeh:  Website:www.agapehlighting.com IG: @AgapeLighting ========= Connect with me: 📧 stephanie@adugginvestments.org Website: www.adugginvestments.org Youtube: www.youtube.com/@stephsellADU Instagram: @StephSellsADUs

    42 min
  5. 06/13/2025

    EP 84 Boomers, Backyards & Big Equity: How to Build for Your Next Chapter with RJ Jaramillo

    In this emotional and strategy-packed episode, I sit down with RJ Jaramillo - a seasoned mortgage expert and fellow ADU trailblazer who joins us live from his own backyard JADU in San Diego. 💥 We dive into: How one 80-year-old used his backyard to create a caregiver unit for his wife with dementia 💔➡️❤️The 3 “empty nester” options every homeowner should consider before retirementHow RJ built a modular ADU + JADU on his San Diego lot before the pandemic hit then rented his main house to a military family 💰What a reverse second mortgage is and why it's a game-changer for boomers looking to build without touching their low-interest-rate first mortgageWhy Clever Tiny Homes and modular units with fixed costs are changing the financing game for aging homeowners, millennials, and fire-displaced families alikeThis episode isn’t just about financing, it’s about future-proofing your family and investing in care, community, and flexibility. 🏡✨ 🔁 Know a parent, client, or neighbor who’s sitting on equity? Share this episode with them. It could change their life. 🎧 Hit subscribe for more stories like this, and don’t forget to leave a review if you loved it! ====================== Connect with RJ Jaramillo:  📞 (619) 807-0287  IG:https://www.instagram.com/richard.rj.jaramillo/ Connect with me: 📧 stephanie@adugginvestments.org Website: www.adugginvestments.org Youtube: www.youtube.com/@stephsellADU Instagram: @StephSellsADUs

    34 min

About

Steph's Podcast  is a place where we will share all things real estate, specifically ADUs & Multifamily. From past client's sharing their experiences to local businesses, entrepreneurship , & mindset. A look into perspectives within the real estate space to collectively educate and impact our communities. I hope that these shared stories & perspective's on this podcast resonates with many of you. Most importantly we're here to have fun so let’s go!Follow me on Instagram@stephsellsadus@the_ADU_play@gg_Investments_ Check out my website: www.adugginvestments.org