I saw how a no-frills garage got turned into a gorgeous apartment for cheap, and it made me realize how empty offices could easily get converted into housing, too

I learned about Symbihom in March when I spoke with company founder Rebecca Möller, a commercial real-estate veteran who started the company three years ago.

Symbihom transforms garages in the Bay Area into luxury apartments at relatively affordable prices by constructing many parts of the home in a factory. The parts are hauled by truck to the final destination, and assembled.

California is an easier-than-normal place to build units like these because it passed legislation granting homeowners the right to build accessory dwelling units under 1,200-square-feet.

For comparison purposes, these are photos of one San Jose garage space before and after a Symbihom conversion.

Möller designed the prefabricated walls that are key to transforming no-frills garages into apartments. The walls are built in a factory and loaded with other parts of the unit into a pod, which is shipped to the final location where assembly takes place.

Möller told me she started the company as a way to boost affordable housing in the Bay Area through the transformation of residential garages, and also unused office and retail space. As a reporter who has covered the challenges associated with commercial-to-residential conversions, I was intrigued.

So, I decided to tour one of Symbihom's newly constructed units in Santa Clara, California — a city and technology hub near San Jose. The base cost for converting the garage was $175,000.

The homeowners, Kate McNichols and Kitty Murphy, plan to rent the unit out at an affordable rate to educators who struggle to find adequate housing in the high-priced area.

In total, converting the 333-square-foot unit cost $208,000, according to Möller — that includes several add-ons.

From my first step inside the unit, I couldn't believe it had been a garage. Big windows gave the room a bright, welcoming feel versus some dark, no-frills apartment. Even unfurnished, the space felt cozy, not cold like a garage.

Natural light seemed to pour in every angle. There was even a skylight.

Swanky lighting installed above the cabinetry made the unit feel warm and homey. Here is the kitchen, situated to the right when you walk in the front door.

While the space was just over 300-square-feet, it felt much larger, and has creative storage solutions like this bureau that doubles as a closet door.

There is also a full suite of amenities, including a small laundry room with a washer and dryer that are shared with the main house.

The bathroom was spacious and modern — with a large shower.

At the end of the tour, I was convinced that if this garage could become a homey apartment in weeks, Symbihom's process could be a game-changer for office-to-residential conversions that have proven to be difficult and costly. It could be easier for cities with desperate housing needs — like San Francisco — to add housing.