Home equity line (HELOC)
The most common route: borrow against the equity in your main home, draw as the build progresses. Rates are usually variable. Fast to set up if you have equity and income documented.
People don’t buy square feet; they think in monthly payments. Below is the honest version of that math — assumptions printed, no lender promises. Modern Casita Builders is not a lender and this page is not a loan offer. Your lender sets your real rate and terms.
| Model | Starting price | Illustrative payment* | Published Valley rent example |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Compact — 380 sq ft studio | from $65,000 | ≈ $455/mo | Small Valley casitas advertised around $1,000/mo rent |
| The Haven — 600 sq ft 1-bed | from $149,000 | ≈ $1,042/mo | ~500 sq ft Valley casita published at ~$1,250/mo rent |
| The Legacy — 800–850 sq ft 2-bed | from $219,000 | ≈ $1,531/mo | ~800 sq ft Valley casita published at ~$1,600/mo rent |
*Principal & interest only, at 7.5% over 30 years, on the starting price — before taxes, insurance, HOA, or utilities, and before any site-specific costs. Rent figures are examples published by Valley casita builders (November 2026) for similar sizes; they are not a promise of what your casita will rent for. Actual rates, payments, and rents depend on your lender, your credit, your city, and the market.
The most common route: borrow against the equity in your main home, draw as the build progresses. Rates are usually variable. Fast to set up if you have equity and income documented.
Replace your mortgage with a larger one and take the difference in cash. Makes the most sense when it doesn’t wreck a low rate on your existing loan — run both numbers before choosing.
Some lenders lend on the home’s after-project value, which can help if you’re short on current equity. More paperwork, more draws and inspections — but built for exactly this job.
We’re happy to talk through which route fits your situation and point you toward lenders who know ADU projects — that conversation is free. Any loan is between you and your lender; we’re not a lender and we don’t set rates or terms.
A payment only means something against your lot’s real written price. Get the free feasibility check, then we’ll run the payment math on your actual number.