Want to buy neighbors carport

[Eric Swanson]

Hey all,

New to real estate investing but my wife and I sold our home yesterday and we close on our first investment on September 1st! It’s a 3,250 sq foot commercial space that has a residential unit up above and a commercial space down below. We will be living upstairs and house hacking because my wife’s business will occupy the downstairs. Here’s my question, behind our property is a carport owned by our soon to be neighbor. My short term goal (next year or two) is to offer her a price on the carport because my wife and I would love to tear it down and build a small, simple, 2-car garage to have for the apartment to add value because right now it’s just public parking. Does anyone have experience doing something like this? Would love all input and advice! I’m wondering what the process is to submit an offer on just the car port, discuss our plans and then talk to the city. 

Eric

[Cameron Whitehead]

Eric, the first step is to talk to the owner and see if she is even interested. I would just walk over there and ask her without an offer and just see what she says. Second, talk to the city and see if they would allow that and figure out the minimum lot size requirement.