Adding a separate entrance to a basement on a paired home

Adding a separate entrance to a basement on a paired home

Rental Property Investor · Denver · Member since 2020 · 4 posts · 2 votes

Need some help here... I currently own a brand new paired home (just one side) in the city of Denver, CO. The house currently has an unfinished basement that is way too big for my family needs. After listening to BP podcasts and such I am trying to decrease my largest monthly expense so was curious to see if its legal to create a separate entrance for the basement and converted into a small 1 bed apartment that I could rent to help offset the mortgage payment in the house. I am not sure where to start or if I even have to ask the city for a permit to do that, I also know that we have an HOA governing the commons areas around the neighborhood. Does anyone has any experience doing that in the past? Also curious from a RE perspective, not sure if this would affect the property from a resale perspective. I would personally love a house that has some sort of asset generator income but maybe I am a weirdo. I know those house generally cost more but I have only see that in single family homes. Any comments would be appreciate it!

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  • Realtor · Denver, CO · Member since 2018 · 227 posts · 241 votes
    5y

    @Gustavo Lotuffo Awesome train of thought! 

    Since you have an HOA, you may want to check if you're able to make these changes in you home IN ADDITION to checking with zoning regulations.

    Most houses you see on the market with MILs have not been permitted, but doing it the right way never hurts. Better to have the "okay" and approvals from the people you need them from than to get a Stop Work order from the city. Hope that helps!

  • Jeff WhiteBusiness Member
    Realtor · Denver, CO · Member since 2016 · 278 posts · 371 votes
    5y

    @Gustavo Lotuffo Great idea with thinking creatively! I would start with the HOA first, and then go from there. When dealing with new builds, you have an awesome opportunity to add some value, and since you are living there, if allowed by HOA and zoning, it might be a better idea to Airbnb the bottom part out since you will attract some great Airbnb guests since your property is brand new.

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