Two houses on one lot

[Brent Geubtner]

I'm looking into a property that has two seperate houses on the same single lot. Is this a tax advantage over having two lots (one for each property)? I'm figuring that paying for one lot is better than paying for two in terms of taxes. Are there any other implications to having two houses on one lot that I may not be considering?

[Stephen Morales]

Hey Brent, 

It normally is a tax advantage if you have two houses on one lot. 

When it comes to resale and financing though it may be trickier since some lenders prefer properties that have their own separate parcels and a traditional buyer may see it as a downside when you go to sell. 

You may need a specialized insurance policy since it's technically one property but two structures. 

If you plan to rent one or both properties, separate utilities and addresses may end up being a hassle if they're not already in place. 

You gotta also keep in mind Pittsburgh's zoning laws which I am not familiar with. Might want to give them a call any additional questions you may have about use or modifications.