free backyard home plans

Anchorage is just giving away professional home designs.

The muni dropped a set of free, pre approved designs for accessory dwelling units this month. ADUs are smaller backyard or above garage units you can rent out or use for family. The designs save homeowners thousands on architect fees and shave time off the city's permit review.

There are two designs out so far. The Williwaw is an 811 square foot one bedroom unit built over a two car garage. The Near Point is a smaller 460 square foot one bedroom with a vaulted living space.

A UAA engineering class is drawing up additional designs that should drop later this summer. For Anchorage homeowners eyeing rental income or a place for grandma, the math just got friendlier.

and if you need a home equity loan to pay your contractor, the digital heloc is a great solution. The design, finance and checklist details are in the description below.