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Meet Dylan Serna
- eXp Realty DRE# 02217359
- (714) 860-2868
- dylan@serna-realestate.com
Who is Dylan?
Dylan is a Realtor who specializes in ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) and investment real estate, helping clients turn smart property decisions into long-term financial freedom.
What does an ADU Realtor do?
As an ADU-focused Realtor, Dylan helps homeowners and investors identify properties ideal for building ADUs, navigate zoning and permits, and connect with trusted vendors to bring their projects to life, all while maximizing property value and rental income potential.
What does an ADU Realtor do?
As an ADU-focused Realtor, Dylan helps homeowners and investors identify properties ideal for building ADUs, navigate zoning and permits, and connect with trusted vendors to bring their projects to life, all while maximizing property value and rental income potential.
Can Dylan help traditional homebuyers or even help sell my home as well?
Of course! Dylan is passionate about helping homebuyers find a place to truly call home. With a proven track record and specialized knowledge of the Orange County market, he’s helped countless clients find their perfect fit. When it comes to selling, Dylan takes an active, hands-on approach—strategically marketing your home to ensure it gets the best possible exposure.
Can Dylan help me find a property with ADU potential?
Yes! Dylan knows what to look for from lot size, to the type of zoing as well as setbacks and possible utility access. He helps ensures clients find an investment property that make adding an ADU simple and profitable
Does Dylan work with investors?
Absolutely. Dylan specializes in income-producing properties, guiding clients through rental market analysis, cash flow projections, and long-term portfolio strategies to grow real estate wealth.
Why choose Dylan as your ADU and investment Realtor?
Dylan combines market insight, creativity, and a client-first approach to make complex real estate decisions easy, strategic, and rewarding. From ADUs to full-scale investments, Dylan helps clients create freedom and stability through real estate.
What areas does Dylan serve?
Dylan serves the Orange County area and also has a proven track record as well in Los Angeles County.
Blue Ocean Strategy of Marketing
Through Social Media
Through his Blue Ocean approach, Dylan transforms traditional real estate marketing into a space of creativity and value. Rather than relying on generic “Just Listed” posts, Dylan produces high-quality listing videos that highlight each property’s story and lifestyle appeal.
Dylan’s social media presence goes beyond promotion—it educates and inspires. Clients and followers can explore content that simplifies complex real estate topics, empowers informed decisions, and shares real experiences from buyers and sellers to learn from.
This strategy blends storytelling, education, and authenticity, setting Dylan apart in an oversaturated market.
Thoughtful Guidance for Confident Property Decisions
An ADU Realtor helps investors assess property potential, budgets, rental income, and project needs before making an offer. Dylan Serna connects search with planning.
ADU Consultation
Review your ADU goals, overall budget, and expected monthly cash flow.
Home Preparation
Organize contractor work so the main home can be prepared for rental use with less stress.
Profit Planning
Review mortgage costs, ADU income, main home rents, and projected returns before making an offer.
Project Support
Get guidance from the property search through ADU completion while keeping key financial decisions in view.
Practical Solutions for Better Property Results
Real estate guidance for buyers, sellers, homeowners, and investors planning their next move.
01
ADU Buying Guide
Get guidance on ADU potential, costs, rental plans, and decisions before you move forward.
02
ADU Buyer Strategy Session
Review goals, budget, financing, and expected rental income before pursuing an ADU investment property.
03
Customized ADU Potential Property Search
Search for properties with ADU potential based on location, budget, goals, and rental use.
04
ADU Sellers
Prepare to sell your property with pricing guidance, market strategy, and support through the transaction.
05
Free ADU Seller Kit
Request a practical seller guide covering property preparation, pricing, marketing, offers, and next steps.
Property Value
Discover what your property may be worth based on location, features, and market conditions.
What Clients Say About Their Experience
Read client feedback to learn how buyers, sellers, homeowners, and investors experienced the real estate process.
Get Clear Answers Before Your Next Property Move
Find answers to common questions about buying, selling, ADU properties, property searches, investment planning, and real estate services.
The best way is to schedule a 30-minute phone consultation through our booking link or text/call for immediate assistance. ADU properties require a different approach than standard listings — the consultation is where we look at your specific property, your tenants if applicable, and the comp data in your area to figure out the right strategy before anything goes to market.
Construction costs average around $300 per square foot for quality builds in Orange County and LA County for detached units. A studio garage conversion typically runs $70,000–$100,000 less in materials than a fully detached unit. A detached three-bedroom ADU can reach approximately $360,000 all-in once you factor in permits, design, and a 10–15% contingency buffer. Before committing to any construction budget, it's worth checking what ADU properties have actually sold for in your specific neighborhood — spending $300,000 and only adding $150,000 in appraised value is a real risk if you skip the comp analysis first. California's HCD ADU guidelines are a good starting point for understanding what you're permitted to build.
It depends heavily on location, unit size, and rental strategy. Studio and one-bedroom ADUs in inland OC cities like Anaheim and Garden Grove typically rent in the $1,500–$1,900 per month range on long-term leases. Coastal markets like Costa Mesa — where mid-term furnished rentals to traveling professionals are common — can push $2,800–$3,200 per month for a well-positioned one-bedroom. See the Costa Mesa ADU Market Update and Anaheim ADU Market Update for current rent and pricing data by city.
The short answer is financing. When a buyer purchases a duplex or triplex, lenders can count up to 75% of all rental income toward the buyer's qualifying income. With an ADU property, lenders are still underwriting a single-family loan — and as of 2026, Fannie Mae guidelines only allow income from one ADU to count toward qualification. If the property has both an ADU and a JADU, the second unit's income is invisible to most lenders. That shrinks the qualified buyer pool, which is the primary reason ADU properties average more days on market than comparable multi-unit homes. The full breakdown is in this post.
A standard ADU is a fully self-contained unit — its own kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance. It can be detached, attached to the main home, or built above a garage. A Junior ADU (JADU) is carved out of the existing square footage of the primary home. It has a separate entrance and kitchenette but must be within the walls of the main structure. Under California state law, most single-family properties can have one ADU and one JADU — meaning up to three units total on one lot. From a lending standpoint, JADUs are treated differently and lenders often exclude JADU income from qualifying calculations.
Start with your city's official planning or community development department website. Each city sets its own rules for maximum ADU size, setbacks, height limits, and owner-occupancy requirements within California's state framework. For OC-specific cities, we track the ADU regulatory environment and comp data regularly — see the market updates for Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Costa Mesa. Santa Ana also has a dedicated ADU FAQ page worth reviewing if you're in that city.
Yes — and it's more common than most sellers realize. California law requires 24-hour written notice before showing an occupied unit, and tenants cannot be forced to vacate simply because the property is listed. The key is having a showing strategy that works with your tenants rather than against them, and positioning the occupied unit as an asset (documented income) rather than a complication. The complete guide to showing your OC ADU with tenants in place covers the legal requirements and practical logistics in full.
Smart Insights For Your Property Journey
Explore practical insights about property buying, selling, ADU opportunities, investment planning, home values, and local real estate decisions.
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