The quick version
Homes with ADUs in Westminster are selling, but only when the price is right. Homes priced too high are sitting for months and coming down in price. Buyers have more power than they did a year ago. Sellers who price well still win.
What’s happening right now
We looked at 6 Westminster homes that each have an ADU (a second home on the same lot):
| Home | Price | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Moran St: big new build plus ADU | Listed at $2,388,000 | Sold for $1,700,000. That’s about $688,000 less than the first asking price. The buyer paid cash. |
| Jennrich Ave: 3 homes on 1 lot | $1,659,999 | Went into escrow in about 2 weeks |
| 19th St: 2 homes on 1 lot | $1,689,999 | Brand new on the market, with open houses this weekend |
| McFadden Ave: house plus new ADU | Now $1,349,000 | Price cut by $50,000. On the market about 70 days. |
| Bermuda: house, ADU, and JADU | Now $1,999,000 | Price cut by about $296,000. On the market about 75 days. |
| Walt St: house plus back unit | $1,150,000 | Did not sell. The listing expired after almost 5 months. |
The big lesson: the home on Jennrich was priced fairly, was move-in ready, and could earn about $8,200 a month in rent, so it sold fast. The homes that started too high had to drop their prices, and one never sold at all.
The buyer’s side
This is a good time to be a buyer. Here’s why:
- You can negotiate. Sellers are cutting prices, and one home sold for almost 30% below what the seller first asked.
- The rent helps pay the mortgage. Many of these homes have a second unit that can rent for about $3,300 to $4,300 a month. That money can cover a big part of your home payment.
- You have choices. Some homes have 2 units and some have 3. Some ADUs are already rented, and some are empty and brand new.
Watch out for:
- Permits. Make sure the ADU was built with city approval. Some back units are not legal rentals.
- “As-is” sales. Some sellers won’t fix anything. Get a good inspection.
- Separate meters. Check that the ADU has its own electric and water meter. Shared meters can mean higher bills for you.
- Tenants. If someone already lives in the ADU, you have to keep their lease.
The seller’s side
Buyers are paying close attention to price right now. Here’s what that means for you:
- Price it right the first time. Homes that started too high sat for 70 to 150 days and still had to drop. The fairly priced home sold in about 2 weeks.
- Show the money. Buyers want to know how much rent the ADU can bring in. Put the numbers in front of them.
- Do the paperwork. Have your permits, meter details, and any leases ready. Clean paperwork builds trust.
- New and move-in ready sells. Buyers like brand-new ADUs with their own address, their own meters, and paid-off solar panels.
What to expect in the next 6 months (October 2026 to March 2027)
- More ADU homes will hit the market. Builders and investors are finishing new ADUs and listing them, so buyers will have more to pick from.
- Prices will stay steady to slightly softer. We expect more price cuts on homes that start too high. Fairly priced homes will still sell.
- Investors stay interested. Some sellers are offering 1031 exchanges (a way investors can delay taxes when they trade one property for another). Cash buyers are also active. Homes with strong rent will keep getting attention.
- Winter is a quieter time. Fewer people shop during the holidays. That can mean less competition and better deals for buyers. For sellers, it means fewer buyers looking, so pricing right matters even more.
Bottom line: buyers have room to negotiate, and sellers need to price smart. If a home has a good ADU that brings in real rent, it will still sell.
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Related Reading
Have questions about buying or selling a home with an ADU? Reach out anytime.
Dylan Serna, The ADU Realtor
eXp Realty | DRE #02217359
dylan@serna-realestate.com | adurealtorca.com
Data comes from MLS listings as of October 2, 2026. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
