# I Thought I Wanted a Single-Family Home. Turns Out, I Missed the Rental Income

> Adding an ADU to a single-family home brought financial freedom after years of missing rental income.
- Title: I Thought I Wanted a Single-Family Home. Turns Out, I Missed…
- Summary: Adding an ADU to a single-family home brought financial freedom after years of missing rental income. Laurie Nichols added an ADU to their single-family home…
- Keywords: laurie nichols, adu, massachusetts, rental income, single-family home, home improvement, diy, accessory dwelling unit, property investment, Thought, Wanted, Single-Family
- Source: Family Handyman — https://familyhandyman.com/article/single-family-home-pros-cons
- Author: Laurie Nichols
- Published: 2026-10-20T14:00:31+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: laurie nichols, adu, massachusetts, rental income, single-family home, home improvement, diy, accessory dwelling unit, property investment
## My Dream Home Wasn't Enough
I always wanted a single-family home but felt it wasn't rewarding after buying one.

> I thought we wanted a single-family home, but adding an ADU made it the perfect place for us.
## Rental Income Made Homeownership Feasible
Renting out a unit for 10 years gave us financial freedom before buying a home.

> Collecting that first rent check was an amazing feeling, and it cut our mortgage payment in half.
## We Missed the Rental Income
Living in a single-family home felt like a financial burden after years of rental income.

> We really missed the rental income we were used to in our two-family homes.
## Massachusetts ADU Law Enabled Change
A new Massachusetts law allowed us to add an ADU to our home in August 2024.

> These secondary, self-contained living spaces, complete with kitchens and bathrooms, can house extended family members or paying tenants.
## We Built an ADU in 6 Months
We converted a portion of our house into a one-bedroom apartment by December 2024.

> We received a certificate of occupancy from the town, and our first tenant moved in on January 1, 2025.
## Rental Income Covers Costs in 2.5 Years
Our ADU project cost $55,000 and generates $1,725 monthly rent.

> At that rate, it will take us about two and a half years to recoup the project’s cost.
## ADU Made Our Home a Financial Boon
The ADU transformed our home from a burden into a secure financial future.

> The rental income has been a fantastic addition to our monthly budget, and we’ve had amazing tenants from the start.
## ADU Tips for Homeowners
Check local laws, assess costs versus income, and plan carefully for ADUs.

> Our project cost around $55,000, and we currently collect $1,725 each month, or $20,700 per year, in rent.
## Key takeaway

Laurie Nichols added an ADU to their single-family home in Massachusetts, generating $1,725 monthly rental income after two years.