One of the reasons is that, in our city, new houses with brick command a premium over other kinds of facades.

Its is up to you.You could utilize a renovation or construction loan with your lender to make that happen so you dont have to pay alot of the expenses out of pocket.ADUs are nice because some municipalities do not look favorably on duplexes and multi units tend to command higher interest rates outside FHA.

One of my best friends is a lowly paid federal employee, with 2 masters degrees who would command a salary 5 times what he makes now if he went to the private sector.

However, its a slow process generally which is why tenants typically can command  as high as six or seven-figure payouts to leave. 

They require a bit more attention, resources and discipline than most animals and a good real estate pro knows when to listen and when to command. 

As a veteran I would say, go to her company commander. 

Are you more looking for something that is tenant-ready on day one with minimal make-ready, or are you looking for something that needs some work before commanding market rent?

Validity of the practice aside, it may be a good idea to reach out to local command and try to join the partnership program.From my personal opinion, such practices are entirely legal in the state of Virginia (after having reviewed relevant local, state, and federal law).

@Erik Petrovich - agreed with @Daniel Denning, look into the North Myrtle area where prices are not as high and you can command a higher rental premium.

(Zoning laws changed to make three-deckers difficult to build as popular opinion turned against them in the 30's and 40's, but denser apartment buildings from the 60s and 80s that you find in West Roxbury and Braintree for example, are not nearly as robust and don't command the same rents that classic three-deckers do.