Turning SFH into Duplex

[Larissa Luna]

Hello! I currently own a 900 sq ft 2/1 home on a 6,000 sq ft lot. I’m thinking of adding a 3/2 home in front of it and renting it out. We are zoned for multi family homes so that’s not a problem, I just don’t know where I would start getting estimates on how much it would cost to do this. I’m not too concerned of the added value it will bring as I do plan on holding onto this property and using (eventually both homes) as rental properties. Any guidance would be much appreciated! Also, just a side note- on the left of my house there is an apartment complex and on the right of us there is a triplex, there’s only about 4 SFH’s on my street the rest are multi family and apartments.

[Aaron H.]

In a lot of areas in the country, the price to build is way too high to justify new construction to keep as a rental. Maybe if it's a modular or manufactured.

In terms of where to start getting estimates, call local building companies.

If you're a relatively new investor and don't have personal experience in home building, new construction is a pretty hefty way to get in the game...if you have enough money to build a new house, you might want to think about using it to buy existing rentals.