Expanding Single-Family Properties for Maximum ROI

by Nicholas Tsontakis, Dwell Boldly

Often times, the best real estate strategy does not include finding another great deal, but looking at your existing inventory and realizeit could be more.Maybe it’s a detached garage waiting to become an ADU. Maybe it’s a side yard wide enough for a new primary suite. Or maybe it’s an outdated floor plan yearning for open air and light. The potential is there and unlocking it takes imagination and preparation. Investors ready to expand single-family homes and small-scale residential properties, listen close, as we explore the benefits of preparedness to maximize a property’s development potential while minimizing costly delays and design missteps.

The Power of Preparation

Too often, investors jump into additions or ADUs thinking it’s a simple matter of drawing up plans and calling a contractor. In reality, everyjurisdiction — especially within the City of Phoenix and its historic districts — comes with its own zoning nuances, setback limits, and permittingtime frames. Without understanding these early, what should be a 6-month project can turn into a year-long waiting game.

An architect fluent in local code can help you anticipate those hurdles before they appear — flagging issues like lot coverage limits, fire sprinkler requirements, and utility tie-ins that can make or break a project’s feasibility.

Design That Builds Equity

Whether you’re adding an ADU for long-term rental income or expanding a main house for resale, good designdoesn’t just add square footage — it adds desirability. A well-composed addition blends proportion, light, and livability in ways that draw higher appraisals, better tenants, and stronger comps.

The architect’s role isn’t just artistic — it’s strategic. The right design team ensures your addition feels cohesive, not like an afterthought, and helps you make every square foot earn its keep.

Navigating Permits and Bids with Confidence

Architectural plans are more than just drawings; they’re your roadmap through the city and your benchmark for accurate construction bids. When you have a well-prepared, code-compliant set of plans, general contractors can bid with precision — reducing change orders, scope creep, and surprise costs.

And because the architect has already coordinated with city reviewers, structural engineers, and utility departments, your timeline becomes more predictable, reducing risk during construction.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or exploring your first addition, an architect can help you see your property not as it is, but as it could be.