What do you mean by "long term?" Is that a couple of months or a year or more? I ask because I tend to see furnished rentals as a short-term affair. Someone will be in the area for a couple of months and doesn't want to move everything they own for that length of time. Best bet is to check with rental agencies or real estate agents in your area to see what is the norm for a long-term rental in your area. I know for me, as a renter, I'd much rather have my own stuff around me, unless I was going to be there less than 6 months. And do remember that if the place is furnished, you run the risk of a tenant damaging the furniture, and then you will have to replace it. Who is your target tenant? A single person or a couple? Could you eliminate the window and closet in the bathroom and run a tub/shower combo down that wall? A bathtub isn't an absolute necessity, but I've rented apartments with just a shower and there have been times when I really wanted/needed a bathtub. The kitchen seems to take up a lot of space for a unit with only one or two residents. I would be tempted to make it smaller, and eliminate the peninsula. A small table would be a lot more useful--think of all the times you use a flat surface--wrapping gifts, using a computer, crafts/hobbies. If you have to keep the breakfast bar, then you need a desk or small table elsewhere in the apartment for those types of activities, if it will be furnished. Given the space you have, I'd run the kitchen mostly along that upper wall, and a bit along the left-hand wall. Then use the space at the bottom for an eating area with a table and chairs. I like to cook and I bake a *lot* and I wouldn't need all the space that you have devoted to the kitchen. It sorts of dominates the living space in the current design. Then you can float the sofa in the living space with its back to the kitchen/dining area, facing the right hand wall. The love seat could stay where it is. If you are furnishing the apartment, you might also consider a loveseat and two chairs, to give the tenant more options in how furniture is placed. Also, if you are furnishing the place, don't forget nightstands and lamps in the bedroom. I'd consider eliminating the bathroom closet and putting in built-in storage along the wall to the left of the entrance door, running it up to the kitchen area. A mix of open shelves and closed storage (cabinets) would blend in with the kitchen area, and give the rest of that wall more function. Also, see if you can't enlarge the space at the top of the outside stairs to accommodate one or two chairs and a table, to give the tenant a bit of outdoor space to enjoy. It looks as if each room gets one small window. I realize that heat is a problem in Florida, but could more windows or larger windows be added to allow more natural light into the space? Yes to the larger fridge. However, for just one or two people, it doesn't have to be huge. A smaller full-sized fridge would be fine. Things that would attract me as a tenant: the washer and dryer, the garage space (would there be storage space as well?), the privacy (no one living over or under me). Things that would make me reconsider the apartment: the breakfast bar and no table, no tub, renting a furnished place. No one thing is a deal-breaker, but added up, I might want to hunt further.

Your local lumberyard can get you the best I-joist/LVL combination with an engineers stamp through the manufacturer. Strengthening the door header is the biggest problem and unless it is already oversized it might be easier to span the entire space with I-Joists. Determining the strength of the foundation would require a visit by an engineer unless it is well detailed on the original permit drawings. You will most likely be required to provide 5/8" Type X drywall on the ceiling and the support walls and openings between the apt and the garage would be prohibited.

That's a generous offer they've made you. The deal sounds good for you, financially. And your parents can rent it out after you leave. As for the privacy question, they probably have the same concern. You and your mom should probably have a talk and come up with some rules in advance. No showing up without calling, or whatever. And that works both ways. Three years doesn't sound like a super long time to me. But I'm older, so 3 years would fly by. That could work for you very well, depending on your attitude and whether you all get along well. And your parents will probably love having easy access to their grandson, and you won't have far to go to drop off baby boy for his afternoon with grandma! It's just possible you'll look back on this arrangement with fondness, in the years to come. It's not like you're single with no kids and will be partying every night, doing things you wouldn't want your parents to know about (like I was doing in my 20s). A problem may come in with the cost. As a poster above mentioned, the renovation may cost more than they originally plan on, and then what? In renovating, problems come up. Problems cost money. Decisions are changed, and that costs money. Could you end up paying more than $500? That's a critical thing in this arrangement, since the renovation isn't done yet. Or will they foot the bill for cost overruns, since it's their property? I moved back into mom's house when I was in my 20s, for a while. It worked out fine, and I wasn't particularly close with my mother. I enjoyed spending time with her and seeing her on a regular basis. I still remember that time fondly, and how kind it was of her to let me stay with her during that time, while I got my life on the right track. I'd do it, if the renovation cost issue I mentioned were ironed out beforehand. How nice of your parents to make this offer. You have some great parents. And I'm sure you're a great daughter, which is why they made the offer!

u could prob tie in the Elephant color w/the house by doing the trim in that shade, and a lighter body. Or, just do coordinating colors on the main house these would be very pretty next to the darker gray. Kind of like the gold tones for maybe the front door. maybe do the main house in white w/black trim,,,or light gray and black trim,,,,and use the accent color for the door Blues are nice too.