How hard is it to make a SFH a MFH?

[Monte Dreyer]

Hi All, 

Long time investor in GR, and i have a few MFH that are all amazing, but im wondering would it be cheaper to potentially just buy some SFH that are all the same size as a Duplex, but $100k cheaper. Would there be a lot of permitting required for all of this to happen?

[Mitchell Luban]

@Monte Dreyer I have several SFH and MFH's in GR. I am also a broker working primarily with investors. The city makes it pretty hard to convert a single family into a MF. You have to have a larger lot and be able to provide off street parking and then usually get neighborhood approval even if you meet there list of approved requirements. I have seen it happen in scenarios in which a duplex was converted into a SFH for whatever reason then getting it converted back to a MFH.

I honestly have had more luck with SFH in certain areas of the city with extremely high rents. I then only have to deal with one lease, one set of mechanicals, and no tenant issues etc... So not saying it isn't possible. I just haven't seen it be a worthwhile pursuit in most scenarios.