Depreciating a house owned for 50 years

[Andrew C.]

Hi BP community .  


My grandparents have lived in a 2 - unit duplex in Cambridge MA for 53 years. They purchased their home for $35k - the value has sky rocketed in the past 15 years. They are looking to move out of their home and turn it into a rental property.

Will we be able to write off depreciation on this house? Should we look to hire an accountant to do a cost segregation study for us?

Looking for any answers or advice!