Single Family Home to Duplex Convert

[Clayton Hepler]

I'm thinking of purchasing a single family home in Pittsburgh(Bloomfield or Garfield) and convert it to a Duplex to house hack wit my girlfriend with an FHA or 203K loan

A few questions regarding that: 

Any Yinzers have any experience around converting a single family home to duplex/triplex in the city? I understand that the separate rental need to have a kitchen area etc. How expensive is that? Is this recommended for a newbie? 

Thank you very much!

[Lacee Beitler]

Hi @Clayton Hepler, 

I’d recommend against it. We have looked at too many chopped up Pittsburgh homes that were converted - it is a great idea in theory but never turns out well IMO. The two spaces are often “weird” and I think you may have trouble getting a decent tenant in a space like that. Also the zoning — Our properties are outside of the city limits but I’d imagine that wouldn’t be easy or a fast process. Now maybe if you have a rockstar GC this might be a viable option, but it doesn’t sound like that’s the case. 

I’d recommend buying a duplex and house hacking that route. The cost is comparable and the zoning headache is already done. 

Another option is to buy a SFH and renovate it over 2 years for a "live in flip". After 2 years you avoid capital gains tax when you go to sell. I'm currently doing this with a SFH in the south hills. Just know your market and prices and maybe this could work for you?

Hope that helps!