Converting 2 to 3 Bed and 3 to 4 Bed in Phoenix Market

[Matt Dickens]

I am looking to start the process of buying my next primary residence in the Phoenix market, with the goal to be somewhere in the east valley (Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Ahwatukee, South Phoenix). Part of what I would like to do with this home is either turn a 3 bed to a 4 bed or a 2 bed to a 3 bed. I was curious if anyone has any experience with this in Arizona, or knew anyone who they have used before and would recommend working with?

[Ryan Swan]

@Matt Dickens the easiest option is converting existing sqft under roof to a bedroom. This would usually be a den or office that simply lacks a closet or doorway. The next more expensive option would be converting covered parking to livable sqft (carport or garage). This involves more work such as exterior walls, weather proofing, insulating, adding electrical, and heating/cooling. Now you've given up any covered parking, so make sure the cost/benefit of the bedroom outweighs covered parking. Most cities would want you to pull a permit to do this conversion, but I'm sure many people have gotten away without one. The third and most expensive option is adding on an addition, but this has the benefit of increasing the size of the house while maintaining covered parking.

Keep in mind with option A that you need to be aware of the existing square footage. If you have an 1,100 sqft 2/1 and you convert it to a 3/1, then it's going to be a very small 3/1 relative to other properties.