How ADUs Can Cut Your Mortgage and Build Long-Term Home Equity

Casie Dunlap (00:00)
For the next, you know, year or two, we we are we’re really focusing on homes with ADUs attached to them. So if it’s a basement or if it’s a spot in the backyard, my expertise in doing that and my wife’s expertise in trying to pull all the pieces together, have a great family life, we’re able to, you know, really dive into that and help other people see the vision in that what that can bring to like not only the value of their home, but the value of their lifestyle. If if they’re able to bring down their their mortgage by fifteen hundred, two thousand dollars and and create all that value, all that equity, it’s it’s a win win for a lot of people—

Scott Bursey (02:13)
Welcome back to the Real Estate Pros podcast powered by Investor Fuel. Today we are joined by Casie Dunlap, who is the visionary behind Casie Builds and Dunlap Homes, a construction and design pro known for tackling complex projects with precision and operational excellence. With a reputation for transforming intricate structural challenges into high design realities, Casie has redefined the standard for project momentum and quality in the construction and fix and flip industry. Casie, welcome to the show.

Casie Dunlap (02:45)
Thanks for having me.

Scott Bursey (02:45)
It is awesome having you here, man. And to help our listeners get up to speed, please give us a front row seat in how your career ignited and where you’re pouring your fuel now.

Casie Dunlap (02:55)
Been in the career since you know I was twelve years old. My grandma and grandpa both were in the real estate industry, had multiple rentals, and and that’s the way they they did life all the way together. And then on top of that, they were both contractors. So my whole life I’ve just been a part of this. I remember being eight years old trying to help get shingles on the roof and and helping my grandpa build duck— ductwork and do all those kind of things. So this is all I know. This is from the very beginning. This is all I’ve had. I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was eight. I was trying to cut deals with my grandparents, my parents, the neighbors, trying to start my own businesses. And and that’s just what I’ve done all the way through. On my eighteenth birthday, I started my first construction company and have never looked back. That’s just what I do.

Scott Bursey (03:42)
And you do it well, it sounds Casie. That is so powerful. You know, what really caught my attention about you was the way you’ve been able to skillfully combine high-end construction, you know, precision with a truly unique style and vibe that sets your projects apart from everything else on the market. You aren’t just building structures, you’re crafting experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Casie Dunlap (04:06)
Yeah. Yeah, I I I take pride in my work. You know, I I love being able to just go back, stand on the street and and see a great project finished and then know that a family’s gonna be able to create a home there. So I I want to— I wanna create projects that not only like look really nice but also function really well. And I take a lot of pride in making sure that every w— every family’s needs are taken into account when I do all the different facets of real estate.

Scott Bursey (04:34)
That’s just awesome. And I’m curious to know when you’re you’re staring down a complex build, what specific skill set is your absolute superpower right now?

Casie Dunlap (04:44)
You know, I would say my my superpower is being in the construction industry for twenty years. I can really help a family find the best way to afford a home. If it’s value engineering their remodel, their new construction, or or helping a family understand that if they add this, it— they’ll gain this much value in their home in— and building for the future. So that— that— that look into the future is like my superpower, helping people realize that like today’s needs can also go towards the future and and we can build together, we can build something that’ll help them for a long term.

Scott Bursey (06:11)
Love that. It’s wild how we often overlook our own biggest assets until we break it down like that. Yeah. That’s awesome. And you know, Casie, thinking about the landscape of your projects, where have you had to build the most resilience when things didn’t go exactly the way the job site was planned?

Casie Dunlap (06:33)
Yeah, I I think everyone’s felt this, especially in the last six years with the supply chain and and all those kind of things that have happened to our world. I— I’m really good at— at problem solving in those situations. If it’s— if it’s changing the design a little bit to make materials go the right way, if it— it’s helping people pivot and and understand like, hey, this doesn’t work for now, we can build this to get this later, or if it’s saying this house is too much for you, your— your current financial situation is not gonna allow for this and if we do X, Y, and Z, it’ll get you to this point in five years. And that’s where, you know, all the restrictions and all the things that have happened in our industry in the last few years, supply chain has been a— a huge problem. But I’ve been able to help people pivot and get through those situations.

Scott Bursey (07:24)
And speaking of pivoting, if we could pivot now and tell us a little bit about Dunlap homes.

Casie Dunlap (07:30)
So my wife and I— we started Dunlap Homes. She was in real estate full time and I was in construction full time and so we combine those two things together and you know we’re— we’re trying to, you know, make the best of both worlds with that. We we’re helping people find homes and then we’re also being able to create a portfolio for ourselves in that.

Scott Bursey (07:55)
that is— that is so unique and really it’s exciting. Tell us a little bit about some strategy that you’re employing, combining both businesses for let’s say the next twelve to twenty-four months.

Casie Dunlap (08:08)
Yeah. the next, you know, year or two, we we are we’re really focusing on homes with ADUs attached to them. So if it’s a basement or if it’s a spot in the backyard, my expertise in doing that and my wife’s expertise in trying to pull all the pieces together, have a great family life, we’re able to, you know, really dive into that and help other people see the vision in that what that can bring to like not only the value of their home, but the value of their lifestyle. If if they’re able to bring down their their mortgage by fifteen hundred, two thousand dollars and and create all that value, all that equity, it’s it’s a win win for a lot of and not only that, there— there is a housing crisis out there in— in creating affordable rents for other people to get on their feet and get going and and have that part of the American dream also. I don’t think it’s dead, I think it’s just shifting slightly.

Scott Bursey (09:04)
And on that note, with the market moving the way it is, where are you seeing the biggest untapped potential for growth in your niche right now?

Casie Dunlap (09:13)
would say it’s— it’s finding the places where people want to be and looking at them differently with— with the current state where municipalities are allowing more adus and and more creative ways to to help people find their needs that— I think that’s the biggest spot right now if it’s— if it’s creating multifamily places in those or if it’s creating, you know, townhome lots if it— whatever that unique situation is there’s a lot of opportunity for just about everybody to— to do what they need to do to have a— a great way of life right now.

Scott Bursey (09:50)
Casie, that is some solid perspective. You know, that’s the kind of foresight that separates the builders from the dreamers.

Casie Dunlap (10:33)
Yeah. That’s— I— that’s what I stand on. I— I love to build— I love to help not only build like a— a— a house, I like— I love to help people build their lives. And so that’s what I specialize in.

Scott Bursey (10:43)
And that is truly awesome. Looking at the horizon, what is the one headache or market friction you’re constantly watching out for to protect your margins?

Casie Dunlap (10:53)
You know, when I look at all the different things that are going on right now, there’s so much speculation that everyone’s an expert in something right now, but they don’t really have anything to back that up with. And so everyone’s speculating, interest rates are gonna drop, this is gonna happen, this— the politicians are gonna do this. But the real thing is like what is actually selling right now, what is actually moving right now. And if we look at that data, if we look at those price points, if we look at where that’s at, there’s— there’s good things happening right now. And so if you cut out the speculation and you just look at real data, that’s where— that where people need to be right now.

Scott Bursey (11:31)
Smart. Staying ahead of the friction is exactly how you keep the engine running smoothly. And I’d love your take on this. What’s the core philosophy you use to keep your dream alive and moving at full speed?

Casie Dunlap (11:46)
Ha. I have a— a— a thing. I go by today. So as long as I’m looking to get better today, then tomorrow is gonna take care of itself. And so I focus on today. I everything I do from coaching youth to helping real estate to being in my own family or— or my own health. If I know that I can tackle today, then tomorrow will take care of itself. So I— I focus on— on that.

Scott Bursey (12:15)
that is— that’s just awesome. And that dream is certainly gaining traction. Yeah. All right. help us understand here. If you were sitting down with an operator who is currently stuck in the “good enough” phase, let’s say, of their construction business, or fix and flip for that matter, what is the one specific deep dive piece of advice that you give them to flip the switch and ignite that massive ambition?

Casie Dunlap (12:42)
You know, I think that everyone has a piece in them that wants to get better. And if they can realize that it doesn’t have to be some massive jump to get there, it really is a one percent jump. If they could work on one percent every single day, they’ll look back in a year and not recognize themselves. So if you feel stuck right now, or if you feel stagnant, or if you’re just like, I’m doing the same exact numbers month after month, don’t look at like I have to jump by X amount of dollars today. Look at a one percent increase. Look at one percent in your— in yourself, in your family life, in your business and work on that. If you can improve one percent every single day, it’ll change your life.

Scott Bursey (13:23)
That is absolute fire. It really comes down to whether you’re playing to survive or playing to win. Pros, I hope you all took notes on that one. And Casie, you’ve given us a lot of great info here today. But please, is there any additional golden nuggets or words of wisdom that you can leave with our pros?

Casie Dunlap (13:44)
You know, in— in our current state of the world, if you can tell people clearly why you do what you do, you will win. If you can tell people, “Hey, I want to do whatever that is,” and— and you’re able to define that, it’s gonna help define it for yourself. And then at no matter what point, if it’s on the up or on the down, you can refocus and get to there. You know your why, you know what you’re doing. And— and just— so what I— what I tell people when I’m helping people, what I tell myself is that why needs to be your reason. That’s the reason that you’re going after it. And— and if you can help people see your why, other people will want to help you also.

Scott Bursey (15:11)
Hundred percent. Those are such great words of wisdom, but we can’t let you leave quite yet. Okay. What’s one or two things that you would like the listeners who are saying, “Hey, this is somebody that I really like,” what would you like them to know about your businesses?

Casie Dunlap (15:25)
You know, my businesses, they operate to help people. And when I help people, like I win. So I— I want people to know that not only am I gonna win, you’re gonna win if you use me.

Scott Bursey (15:37)
That is sensational. And for our listeners that would like to follow your journey or collaborate with you, what’s the best way for them to reach you?

Casie Dunlap (15:47)
the best way to reach me is probably on Instagram. I’m @casie_today on Instagram. And then if you want to reach out for business deals and those kind of things, the best way is probably by email [email protected].

Scott Bursey (16:03)
Awesome. Casie, thank you so much for joining us today. This has been an absolute pleasure.

Casie Dunlap (16:08)
Yeah, thanks so much for having me. This was a lot of fun.

Scott Bursey (16:10)
And to our listeners, we appreciate you. If you receive value from today’s episode, please subscribe. We’ll be filling your tanks with the lineup of elite guests just like Casie Dunlap, who are accelerating and setting the pace for the rest of the industry. Until next time, keep your standards high and your vision clear. We’ll see you in the next episode, everyone.