Ok this is what I just bought with a twist. Mine has a basement studio and then the upper 2 floors are room rentals. But they’re really units instead of rooms. They only share the kitchen and 4 season room on the first floor. The house is perfectly laid out so the tenants have a lot more space. And to boot everyone has their own full bath and their own washer and dryer!
For legality, it depends on zoning. You would have to call the zoning office in that jurisdiction to verify if it is a legal two unit. As for what I look for, there are a lot of things (the video goes through it), but most important is separated heating and cooling systems
Awesome video. As a single father, selling my family home and buying one more conducive to this setup is about the only way I can house hack. Current home has an awesome en suite with its own entrance, but HOA will not allow renting here. Options are limited due to zoning in the school district, and not willing to move the kids out of it.
Glad it was helpful. Zoning will definitely create the most issues but living in the property allows the most exceptions to the rule. You might be surprised what you can get allowed in there when you declare it is your primary residence
The only difference is that I don’t allow pets. Isn’t there going to be an issue with noise with a pet downstairs? I rent to mostly travel nurses and usually when their at the house their trying to catch up on their sleep!
Hi Devin!! Great video, this came just in time! I'm buying a single family home, duplex style, in Baltimore. The basement has two bed and two full bathrooms with separate exterior entrance and interior stairs down to the basement where I will lock the door as a unit separation. The setup is similar as what's in your video. The kitchen has an alcove for refrigerator, area for stackable washer and dryer, and an area for "over the counter" mounted microwave. The appliances are not installed and I was thinking about adding a stove/oven to the unit. Per your video that's a no-no! Would an electric cooktop mounted in the countertop work or be legal? Where can I find the information for "Do's and Don'ts" for duplex conversions?
Technically it depends on where you live for you to consider it a "no-no". Universally it is the oven that makes the difference. However cities can make it even more strict from there. Baltimore City for example will count your home as a "multifamily" if you restrict access so that the dwelling can be used for more than one family. So in that case, turning the door that seperates the units into a wall would make it a problem. Also Baltimore City does not define what a kitchen is in the zoning documents which makes it up to the inspector. But generally they consider a stove to be the breaking point. You can see more for Baltimore by looking up the Baltimore City Code Article 32
Thank you for sharing information like this. I'm a house hacker in the greater Philadelphia area, but really appreciate videos like this.
Glad it was helpful! I'll be posting more just like this for other styles of renting your mother in law suite, especially if you live in it
Ok this is what I just bought with a twist. Mine has a basement studio and then the upper 2 floors are room rentals. But they’re really units instead of rooms. They only share the kitchen and 4 season room on the first floor. The house is perfectly laid out so the tenants have a lot more space. And to boot everyone has their own full bath and their own washer and dryer!
What makes a basement unit legal/illegal in Baltimore County? How do you quickly look at the basement of a property and know if it can become a unit?
For legality, it depends on zoning. You would have to call the zoning office in that jurisdiction to verify if it is a legal two unit. As for what I look for, there are a lot of things (the video goes through it), but most important is separated heating and cooling systems
Awesome video. As a single father, selling my family home and buying one more conducive to this setup is about the only way I can house hack. Current home has an awesome en suite with its own entrance, but HOA will not allow renting here. Options are limited due to zoning in the school district, and not willing to move the kids out of it.
Glad it was helpful. Zoning will definitely create the most issues but living in the property allows the most exceptions to the rule. You might be surprised what you can get allowed in there when you declare it is your primary residence
@@DevinMorenoInvesting How would market such a unit?
The only difference is that I don’t allow pets. Isn’t there going to be an issue with noise with a pet downstairs? I rent to mostly travel nurses and usually when their at the house their trying to catch up on their sleep!
Hi Devin!! Great video, this came just in time! I'm buying a single family home, duplex style, in Baltimore. The basement has two bed and two full bathrooms with separate exterior entrance and interior stairs down to the basement where I will lock the door as a unit separation. The setup is similar as what's in your video. The kitchen has an alcove for refrigerator, area for stackable washer and dryer, and an area for "over the counter" mounted microwave. The appliances are not installed and I was thinking about adding a stove/oven to the unit. Per your video that's a no-no! Would an electric cooktop mounted in the countertop work or be legal? Where can I find the information for "Do's and Don'ts" for duplex conversions?
Technically it depends on where you live for you to consider it a "no-no". Universally it is the oven that makes the difference. However cities can make it even more strict from there. Baltimore City for example will count your home as a "multifamily" if you restrict access so that the dwelling can be used for more than one family. So in that case, turning the door that seperates the units into a wall would make it a problem. Also Baltimore City does not define what a kitchen is in the zoning documents which makes it up to the inspector. But generally they consider a stove to be the breaking point. You can see more for Baltimore by looking up the Baltimore City Code Article 32
Interesting tips of making a home pet friendly. Can you make a whole video on it assuming there’s enough content?
Yes I can easily fill a video on that. I'll make one soon