About the Project
A real project, documented in real time
No hindsight polish. No curated highlight reel. Just the raw story of turning a duplex into seven units while holding a day job.
The Property
3312 Luna Avenue sits in San Diego's Clairemont / Bay Park neighborhood. It started as a standard 1960s duplex. Under the City of San Diego's ADU Bonus Program, we're adding five new-construction Accessory Dwelling Units to create a 7-unit rental property.
By the Numbers
Why Document It?
Most real estate content online is either aspirational — "here's how to make millions in ADUs!" — or retroactive — "here's what I did after it all worked out." Neither is useful when you're in the middle of it, staring at a $40K change order and wondering if the whole thing was a mistake.
This blog is different. It's written during the project, not after. The frustrations are fresh. The numbers are real. The lender that failed to fund, the utility company that fought me for 11 months, the $0 lien that almost blocked my financing — these are documented as they happened.
If you're thinking about an ADU project, this is the version of the story you won't find on Instagram.
About Me
I'm Michael Walker. I work a full-time W-2 job while developing this property. I have no construction background. I'm learning everything as I go, making mistakes, and writing them down so you don't have to make the same ones.
One unusual aspect of this project: I manage nearly all of the documentation, financial analysis, and coordination through an AI tool (Claude Code by Anthropic). It's not a replacement for my architect, GC, or attorney — but it eliminates the grunt work that would otherwise make a solo development like this impossible while holding a day job.
The build is done and the units are coming to market. New chapters are still published as the leasing and refinance milestones happen — not on a schedule. Check back, or just start from Chapter 1.