Converting a Duplex to a Quad

[Felicia Richardson]

Hi all! Has anyone had success turning a duplex into a quad? Currently I have a mortgaged Duplex. I've been told that I can turn it into a four unit if the city allows it.

I'm in Atlanta and currently my place is zoned R3. My property is right next to another Duplex set and on the other side, a huge commercial lot. My property is huge and big enough for six units.

I was told that I'd have to get a really in depth Survey first. Then a Civil Engineer, an Appraiser to determine what having a four unit would be worth, then a loan using the evaluation. Has anyone done this successfully before?

[Jonathan Greene]

It's possible, but not always practical. First, there is zoning and if it's allowable. Then there is city approval and whether they want a 2 to be a 4 (seems like the nearby properties might support it). There is also parking per unit and impervious cover that could be an issue. There are a lot of other issues, but for you as the owner, the main one is usually do you have to have the current tenants out to build (no income) on to the existing property or are you going to do a knockdown new build?