Remodel House Hack to Dream House Conversion

[Michael Carpol]

Hi BP Community.

Long time reader, first time post. Asking for feedback on house hack idea. 

I have a small 2/1 with an unfinished basement. My plan is to remodel it into a ~6/4 which would be a duplex. 2/1.5 on bottom story and 3-4/2.5 on top. House hack to help pay for the remodel. 

The twist is that I want to design the house to eventually be my dream home 5-10 years down the line. In other words, design it as a single family home that can be blocked off at the stairs between the two floors. Once I have the financial means, to no longer have tennants, and take off doors at stairs. 

Has anyone done this before or have feedback? 

So many questions start coming to mind. Like: should I have 2 meters or one? If I have two meters, is it possible/easy to convert back to one. or can you have one meter, with the bottom on a sub-meter that can be separately measured? 

For resale value, is it better to make it more like a duplex or more like a SFH? I really do not plan on moving.

Thank you!