Granny flats have a medley of potential uses. From bringing in another revenue stream, to becoming a home gym and everything in-between. The ideas and possibilities are endless. Granny Flats WA has created countless customised granny flats, fit to meet the specific needs of our customers. With 20 years of industry experience, we’ll walk you through the entire process from design to construction, and get you the granny flat of your dreams. Once it’s ready, there are so many different ways to bring out the potential of your new secondary property.
A home for aging parents
Granny flats present a multitude of opportunities for housing aging parents or relatives. Granny flats retain separate living areas while still being on the same property as the main house. This means elderly relatives can still retain their independence while being close to family. You can even build an attached granny flat directly off your house. Granny flats also saves money down the line by not having to pay continuous fees for nursing homes. They are customisable for the older generation, incorporating accessibility features like hand rails and wheelchair access. In a granny flat, elderly family members can keep their pets, save money, enjoy security and comfort, and be close to family. It’s simply one of many great ideas for your granny flat.
A space of independence for young adults
Another idea for your granny flat is using it as an independent space for young adult children. With the rise of rental costs and Australia being in the middle of a housing crisis, granny flats could provide an answer when your children moving out of home just isn’t financially possible. Granny flats provide young adults with a sense of independence without having to move too far from home or fork out precious savings to meet current house prices. By building a granny flat in the backyard of your property or attached to the house, young adults can have a space to make their own vital step in the journey towards independent adulthood.
Home office
Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, working from home has become the new norm. That means establishing a place where you can focus is important for achieving a good work environment at home. Although a separate room in your main house may be enough, having a secondary, smaller property dedicated to work could be beneficial for maintaining a positive work routine at home. That’s where office pods come in. At Granny Flats WA, we’ll customise your granny flat build to your unique preferences. Whether it’s a free-standing building or an attached home, we can create a place where you’re comfortable and productive. Utilising granny flats as work-from-home areas helps separate your residence from work and get all the benefits of comfort and familiarity without the distractions.
Gym, theatre or pool room
If you’re looking for space to enjoy your hobbies and passions, include a pool, home gym, or theatre in your granny flat design. Create your own getaway just metres from your home, or use the space as a home studio for creative passions. Families with children may also like to convert their granny flat into a games room or hangout space for teenagers. If you’re planning on renting out your granny flat, having amenities like pools or gyms could be a great asset and attract more tenants. What’s more, granny flats are a great idea for those with home businesses. Whether you’re an artist needing a gallery space or a beautician needing a private space for clients, having a granny flat means you don’t have to run your businesses out of the main house, or rent a separate space.
Extra rental income
Many people use their granny flats as an additional stream of revenue. The flipside to the rental inflation the country is experiencing is that landlords are getting more rent than ever before; your granny flat can be a welcome financial boost. The weekly rent you can make is dependent on factors such as location and the size of the granny flat, but you can conservatively expect to make $220 – $350 or more. Australian cities are becoming denser, and demand is continuously increasing. The rise in FIFO workers has created greater demand for granny flats as well, due to their size and lower living expenses. Urban granny flats could also be used as student accommodation if your property is located near schools or universities. With the extra income from renting, it’s possible you could pay off the granny flat building costs completely, leaving you with additional space and increased property value.
Airbnb accommodation
An Airbnb is a wonderful idea if you want to earn a bit of extra income from your granny flat. Renting out your granny flat as short term accommodation could get you some quick cash without having to commit to long tenancy contracts. As long as you comply with local laws regarding short-stay accommodation and holiday rentals, you’ll be able to charge your own prices and have complete control over who stays in your granny flat. It will require a bit of extra administration on your end, like managing bookings, and keeping the property safe and clean between tenants. However, you’ll experience much more freedom with an Airbnb granny flat than you would with a traditional rental property. This is a highly profitable venture for owners who live in areas of cities that are around tourist attractions and experiences. Low effort, high rewards, and you still get the benefits of your granny flat, increasing your property’s value and adding living space to your property.
A space for immigrating family
Granny Flats WA has performed many builds for homeowners with immigrating families. When family members or friends immigrate to Australia, they typically live with loved ones. Granny flats provide a versatile home that can be an intermediate residence for those settling into a new life. This harks back to one of granny flat’s biggest strengths – its ability to accommodate nearly everyone.
GFWA can customise all designs and builds to your personal needs. We pride ourselves on being able to help our customers achieve their goals on time and within budget. If you want to see even more different uses of a granny flat in person, come to our showroom in Booragoon; alternatively, contact one of our friendly staff to get a better idea if a GFWA granny flat is right for you. You can also see some videos of our builds.
