New investor - Bakersfield

[Mirla Montanez]

Hello, I'm getting ready to close on a SFH in East Bakersfield. This property has a permitted addition making it into a 5 bed 2 bath property. I plan to close the wall where the addition was made and divide the house into a duplex.

First of all, I want to thank you in advance for advice.

My question is, should I work on getting permits to do this division/conversion? Also, how can I look into how much rents go for in this area and the demand.

[Gene Hacker]

@Mirla Montanez, Part of the permit is having the improvements inspected that they are completed to a minimum safe standard. It is really a good idea to do it right. 

As far as determining what the rents should be, I recommend completing a rent survey.  Check online and drive nearby streets to see if similar places are for rent, and find out the size, room count and rent of all nearby available rentals.  With that info you will know what to expect.