The desire for an in-law flat to house more relatives was made clear during the coronavirus pandemic. Many young adults who lost their jobs when businesses were shut down and college students sent away when campuses closed returned to their family home.
During the health and economic crisis, some people preferred to have elderly parents live with them rather than in assisted living facilities that were in lock down.
Instead of makeshift solutions — setting up an air mattress in underused spaces — some homeowners are getting serious about wanting a self-contained, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), sharing a lot with an existing house on their property.
Advocates and real estate agents say a compact second home can add to the property’s resale value and pay for itself over time, by consolidating family finances or generating rental income.
An in-law suite could allow an aging parent to be close to family rather than spending what could be $72,000 a year for assisted living, says Portland ADU expert Kol Peterson, who interviewed hundreds of sources for his comprehensive book, “Backdoor Revolution-The Definitive Guide to ADU Development.”
Some new houses include a flexible living space with a separate entrance that grants privacy to a member of a multigenerational family or tenant.
In this week’s real estate gallery, we look at residential properties for sale with a spare home.
1234 S.W. 57th Ave. in Portland’s Sylvan-Highlands is for sale at $1,195,000.
The remodeled contemporary house, built in 1968 on 0.56 acres, has vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, five bedrooms, four bathrooms and 3,700 square feet of living space.
There is an ADU on the lower level with one bedroom, one bathroom, washer-dryer and a private entrance from outside.
“The master suite has a deck with views,” says listing agent Mandy Goodell of NextHome Realty Connection.
4707 N.E. 12th Ave. in Portland’s King neighborhood is for sale at $1,035,000.
The house, built in 2009 on a 4,791-square-foot lot, has five bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 3,011 square feet of living space.
The ADU is separate from the house. “You don’t have to give up your garage for a detached ADU here,” says listing agent Aimee Virnig of Windermere Realty Trust.
The property is in the Grant High School district and is “convenient to Alberta, parks, groceries, coffee shops, restaurants and fun,” adds Virnig.
945 S.W. Maplecrest Court in Portland’s Collins View neighborhood is for sale at $1,079,000.
The contemporary house, built in 1942 on 0.46 acres, has floor-to-ceiling windows, four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 3,463 square feet of living space.
There is a private entrance to the master suite and office, a large guest suite with a bathroom and an ADU with a separate entry on the lower level. A large heated shop can be accessed from the backyard.
“A sanctuary in SW Portland. True one level living,” says listing agent Shaun Olson of Harvey Realty Group.
3533 N.E. Klickitat St. in Portland’s Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood is for sale at $4,995,000.
The Colonial-style Barnes Mansion, built in 1914 on 0.91 acres, has solid Honduras mahogany paneling, leather wainscot in the dining room, some original wallpaper, three fireplaces, tile floors, custom lighting fixtures and all of the original beveled and stained glass windows and door panels.
There are six bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a powder room and 11,443 square feet of living space, including a one-bedroom, one-bathroom accessory dwelling built over the four-car garage in 2005.
“The elegant, 32-room home is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. ,” says listing agent Tim Walters of RE/MAX Equity Group. Read more: The Portland mansion Beverly Cleary called haunted is for sale
2928 S.E. Woodstock Blvd. in Portland’s Eastmoreland is for sale at $2,388,000.
The renovated mansion, built in 1928 on 0.57 acres near Reed College, has mahogany woodwork and original floors, a new steel-and-glass tower, light-filled rooms for entertaining as well as five bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms and 7,906 square feet of living space.
There is an attached ADU with one bedroom and one bathroom.
“Artfully incorporates modern design, energy efficiency and full seismic retro-fit while maintaining its Dutch heritage and elegant charm. Beautiful grounds with mature landscape‚” says listing agent Terry Sprague of Luxe Christie’s International Real Estate.
Southwest California St. in Portland’s Fulton Park and John’s Landing area is for sale at $2,199,999.
The contemporary house, built in 2020 on a 4,791-square-foot lot, has three bedrooms, and office, four bathrooms and 5,880 square feet of living space. There is also an ADU on the main level with one bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms that can be used as an in-law suite.
“Four levels of decks and an eco rooftop [let you] take in the breathtaking, million-dollar views of the city, three mountains and the river. Available for pre-sale to customize and choose finishes,” says listing agent Jennifer Venable of John L. Scott.
3412 N.E. Rodney Ave. in in Portland’s Eliot neighborhood is for sale at $1,939,800.
The modern house, built in 2019, has eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms and 6,786 square feet of living space. There is an ADU for multi-generation living or supplemental income.
There is a covered patio plus a rooftop deck that captures city views.
“You’re in the heart of all the action and amenities downtown has offer,” says listing agent Darryl Bodle of Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere.
2654 S.W. Fairmount Blvd. in Portland’s Southwest Hills and Council Crest area is for sale at $1,425,000.
The contemporary house, built in 1982 on 0.34 acres, has four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and 6,244 square feet of living space including an ADU that can be used as a guest suite.
“Flexible and comfortable floor plan with incredible design finishes and craftsmanship. Hand-crafted wrought iron railings, artisan mosaic tile, juniper mantel, inlaid river rock floors,” says listing agent Dianne Hagan of Premiere Property Group.
123 S.E. 55th Ave. in Portland’s Mount Tabor is for sale at $1,250,000.
The two-story Craftsman house, built in 2020 by New Homes-Front, has 10-foot-high ceilings, hardwood floors, a fireplace, six bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms and 3,734 square feet of living space.
There is a fifth bedroom suite on the main floor plus an ADU with two bedrooms and 2.5 bath room.
“Very walkable, bikeable and close to Mount Tabor Park, Laurelhurst Park and Providence Hospital.,” says listing agent Amanda White with Kathleen Allen of MORE Realty.
7120 N.E. 8th Ave. in in Portland’s Woodlawn neighborhood is for sale at $1.2 million.
The contemporary Craftsman-style house, built in 2020 on a 4,791-square-foot lot near the Dekum Triangle, has wood floors, six bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and 3,102 square feet of living space.
There is a fully permitted, detached ADU apartment.
“The master suite includes two walk-in closets, a soaking tub, walk-in shower, dual sinks and beautiful tile work,” says listing agent Brian Porter with Gary Whitehill-Baziuk of RE/MAX Equity Group.
— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072
jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories
Want to search Oregon real estate listings and use local resources? Click here.
