I downsized to an ADU I built in my Sacramento yard. I pay only $520 toward my mortgage and am saving up for my next home.

Sat, 04/27/2024 - 09:07

Blanca Barragan during the construction of the shed micro-home in her backyard.
Courtesy of Blanca Barragan

Blanca Barragan rents out rooms in her home for extra income, earning $55,780 since 2019.
In 2023, she began building an accessory dwelling unit in her yard and moved into it in April.
Renting out her entire main home, she's saving hundreds every month, with plans to buy more homes.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Blanca Barragan, a 42-year-old electrician, who completed construction of an accessory dwelling unit she built in her front yard and moved into in April. The essay has been edited for length and clarity.