Looking at a Quadplex Zoned as a Duplex

[Bryant T.]

Hi BP family, looking at a quadplex that's officially zoned as a duplex. Should I be concerned? I suspect someone in the past (may not even be the current seller) converted it from a duplex to a quadplex, which might explain the lower property taxes. While I'm hopeful I won't get reappraised on sale (at least not immediately), I did plan for full blown property taxes at/near my sale price. 

I looked at other quadplexes (on and off market) and a few of them are not zoned exactly to what they are offering, but it's not like a duplex that's zoned as SFR, so not sure if the county doesn't "care" as long as it's MF zoned and not a SFR that was converted to a MFR.

Thanks in advance!

[Mark Allen Kenny]

I had a similar situation in Philadelphia and it was a lot of headaches.  There are some landlords who rent out properties without the correct zoning.  But I always make sure we are 100% compliant, legal and ethical.  So for me, I had a "5-unit building" that I could only rent out 2 units.  The others sat vacant until I could appeal the city for rezoning, go through the months of paperwork, inspections, etc. to get it done correctly.  

I think there can be opportunities to rezone properties and add value if you're familiar with the process.  But it this is your first deal, I would pass on it and look for something properly zoned (with less risk).