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Updated over 6 years ago on . Most recent reply

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128
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Nick Sheveland
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Austin, TX
84
Votes |
128
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What steps to covert an Austin SFR to MFR?

Nick Sheveland
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Austin, TX
Posted

Hey BP friends,

I have an off market 1600-1700' SF in the Crestview 78757 area in north Austin, Tx that I would have first dibs on in Fall of 2019. SFR's in that area rents go for $1600-1900 a month in this area which is nice but anyone who knows that area can tell you its a highly desirable area and the $$$$ show it so rents in that area just wont cut it. However converting it into a duplex may depending on purchase price. Aside from construction and permits what steps would one need to do to convert a SFR into a Duplex? How would I go about seeing if it's zoned for multi and if it's not how would I change it to a multi lot? There are a few other houses on that street that are duplexes so I'm sure it's possible. If there's a will there's a way, and there is always a way if you want it bad enough. This is a house I would theoretically be splitting down the middle so to speak.

Little back story on the house: This is a late 50's to early 60's house that was built by my grandparents and sold to my Stepdad in the 90's. The house is a 3/2 with an laundry room, garage conversion, and a din style living room added on. So it could be turned into a 3/2 , 1/1 or a 2/2 , 1/1. It already has an additional front door where the garage was converted into a fireplace/music studio. My mom and stepdad are selling next fall. I would like to be involved somehow in the transition of this house in one way or another. What methods come to mind in this situation? Converting to a duplex and BRRRR'ing it seem to be the best route to me. There are not a lot of deals in austin and I'm trying to Make a deal with what I have available yet not fudging numbers due to emotion. I feel like I have the puzzle in front of me but am having a hard time seeing what the image will be. Thankfully I have nearly a year to figure this out.

What say you, BP'ers? Let's be creative :)

Most Popular Reply

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329
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David Ivy
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Austin, TX
687
Votes |
329
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David Ivy
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Austin, TX
Replied

@Nick Sheveland

In this area of Austin, it is very likely to be zoned SF-3, which allows for Duplex Residential (i.e., two dwelling units within a single building). You can check the specific address using Austin's Zoning Profile Report.  Once you know the zoning, you can find out details using Austin's Guide to Zoning document.

  • David Ivy
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