All Forum Posts by: Ben Mitchell

@Todd Wheatley and @Jonathan Bombaci thanks for the input. I'll start reviewing the zoning by-laws and see what I can figure out about the ADU and STR options. If nothing else will work out, I think leasing the second and third floors together is a solid backup plan - that would still get the property into cash flow positive territory. Either way we have some time since we won't be trying to rent out the whole property until next summer at the earliest.

Hi all. I've noticed it's pretty common in the Boston area to see houses that have three apartments but are only zoned for two. Could anyone with experience in this situation explain some good ways to make use of that third apartment? 

For example, can the owner live in the third while renting out the first and second? Can the third be incorporated into the second and rented as one big unit? Can the third unit be used for STR?

I know that the ideal answer here is to get the zoning changed but in my experience that's rarely an option. Seems to me that in most cases, if it were possible, the previous owner already would have done it. 

Anyways thanks for any input.