How hard is it to subdivide?

[Jessica Kirby]

Hello

Me and my husband have to move to Virginia as that is where we are getting station. The minimum amount of time that we will be there is a year and half.The plan was to buy a foreclosed house, or something that we can force equity into over the time we were there and sell when we leave.We have found a place that is 2.5 acres in the middle of a large city, and is surrounded by housing developments.The sellers are not selling to developers as a wish of their dying mother (not yet verified, was told by selling agent).

My questions are:

1. How hard would it be to subdivide 2 acres?

2. How much time does it take?

3. Where do I get the information on how many lots it could be subdivide into? I have looked on the city website and it is not easy to navigate to get info of the house or property. 

4. What are some of the things we should look at before buying this place and plan on subdividing it?

This place is not out of our budget but is at the top of it.If we didn’t subdivide and make money that way the house would need updating and not sure it would be in our budget to buy and remodel this place.