Your backyard is the investment you already own.
The short answer
A KĒĒP rental ADU starts at $190,000 all-in and takes 7–10 months to build. Southern California one-bedroom ADUs rent for roughly $2,100–$2,800 per month, against an estimated $1,461/month loan payment. Because the land is already owned, the build turns unused backyard space into monthly income and long-term property value.
$2,100–$2,800
Typical SoCal 1BR ADU monthly rent
Most homeowners are sitting on an underused asset: the backyard. It carries cost without producing anything, while rents across Southern California stay among the highest in the country.
Buying a separate rental property means a second purchase, a second loan, and a second down payment — a barrier most families can't clear.
You already own the land. A KĒĒP ADU turns that backyard into a permitted rental that generates monthly income and adds to your property's value at the same time.
One-bedroom ADUs in the region rent for roughly $2,100 to $2,800 a month, against an estimated $1,461 loan payment. The unit can pay for itself over time while the asset appreciates on land you already hold.
Built to rent, built to last
- ✦Private entrance separate from the main house
- ✦Full kitchen, bathroom, and in-unit laundry
- ✦Durable, low-maintenance finishes
- ✦Separately metered utility options
- ✦Designed for strong rental appeal in your city
An unused backyard versus a working asset
| Backyard as-is | KĒĒP rental ADU | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly income | $0 | $2,100–$2,800 typical 1BR rent |
| Monthly cost | Property carrying costs | ~$1,461/mo est. loan payment |
| Effect on property value | None | Typically increases value |
| Second purchase required | Yes, to invest | No — you already own the land |
Illustrative scenario — not a client testimonial
“We had a big, empty backyard and a mortgage. Now there's a one-bedroom unit back there renting for $2,600 a month. It covers the loan payment and then some, and the property is worth more.”Illustrative scenario — a homeowner on the Westside
Run it for your situation.
You're already paying every month. The question is what it's building.
What are you paying now?
Your $2,400/month could become a ~$1,461/month loan payment — less than you pay now — while building an asset you own.
| Keep paying rent | Build a KĒĒP ADU | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | $2,400 | ~$1,461 |
| Monthly difference | — | $939 less per month |
| After 10 years | $288,000 spent, nothing owned | Loan paid down + ~$22,800 equity gained |
| What you own at the end | Nothing | An appreciating asset on your own land |
Equity gained is an estimated increase in your property's value (roughly 12% of build cost) — typically less than the full build cost. Loan payment assumes financing the full build cost at an estimated 8.5% rate over 30 years — verify with a lender.
Want these numbers run for your actual property and situation? A free 48-Hour Property Check — no cost, no obligation.
Check my propertyThis is an illustration of how your current monthly payment compares to an ADU loan payment — not financial advice or a guarantee of returns. Loan payment assumes financing the full build cost at an estimated rate; your actual rate, terms, and equity depend on your lender, your property, and market conditions. Consult a lender and tax professional. KĒĒP's fixed price is confirmed in writing after a free 48-Hour Property Check and site assessment.
Common questions
Typical monthly rental income ranges from roughly $1,800 to $3,400 depending on city and unit size, with most one-bedroom units renting between $2,100 and $2,800 per month.
Building in Culver City, El Segundo, Santa Monica, or West Hollywood?
Free guides for exactly this decision.
Niche, practical, and made for families like yours — not the generic stuff you'll find everywhere else.
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The 5-Year Money Picture
What an ADU really costs versus rent or a care facility over five years — and where the money ends up.
Download ↓Free guide · PDF
The “Will It Fit?” Backyard Field Guide
A ten-minute walk around your own yard to learn what fits — space, access, and utilities — before you call anyone.
Download ↓See what's possible on your property.
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