Tips on converting a single fam into a house hack?

[Porter Andreasen]

I am a first time buyer and need to stay in Ut county because I own a small epoxy business here. My wife and I have been saving up and living rent free for almost 2 years with the goal on buying something we can house hack. We recently came across a home on the MLS that is in our price range on a .3 acre but it is only 972 sf, no basement and currently not an investment property. My question is can I turn it in to one? The houses on both sides are duplexes so I imagine it wouldn't be to hard working on re-zoning if it's not already R2+.

Has anyone added an additional unit in a similar market? What was the cost? Did you do a detached space or build on the existing home? 

I've played with the idea of adding a garage with a loft apt above it? I imagine that would be $$$ and probably not a great ROI.

Thank you in advance for your comments!

-Porter