But I quickly realized that scaling one house at a time wasn’t the most efficient path to financial freedom.

Hi Shay in Atlanta, Georgia-You are planning to renovate an unfinished basement, close up a carport/renovate into a living space, and convert a closed garage into a living space and wonder if you need to obtain permits.It looks like you are planning to live in the property and rent out rooms to others or house hack.I would always get permits for the following reasons.1.

Since you mentioned that you are getting started, I highly suggest you house-hack (this is how I got started in Costa Mesa, Orange County).

Attend open houses to understand market trends.

But to answer your question, House canary is good for rent rates, zillow is a good tool for property data and for seeing what is for rent for how much, sales comps etc. 

How much less will a potential buyer pay for the house, now that one "bedroom" does not have a closet?

The Yale Law Journal article, "Zoned Out: How Zoning Law Undermines Family Law’s Functional Turn," highlights this issue, noting that while family law has evolved to recognize diverse family structures, zoning laws have lagged behind, potentially hindering innovative housing solutions like co-living.Challenges for Co-Living InvestorsFor real estate investors interested in co-living, these restrictive definitions can lead to:Legal Barriers: Difficulty obtaining permits or approvals for co-living spaces due to non-compliance with traditional family definitions in zoning codes.Operational Challenges: Potential fines or legal disputes arising from housing arrangements that don't conform to local zoning definitions of a household.Market Limitations: Reduced ability to meet the growing demand for affordable, shared housing solutions.Advocacy for ReformThe Bloomberg article, "Why Are Zoning Laws Defining What Constitutes a Family?"

Detached HousesWhen in doubt, consider the tried-and-true detached single-family house.

That journey started in 2016 when I bought a duplex to house hack.

We exited both markets, louisville because of mandating section 8 housing after Covid and just the way they handled evictions and pyments during the pandemic.