thinking to convert 2 family to 1 family - good idea? (agent, houses, property)

[anna_mom]

We have put an offer on a short sale, it is a 2 family.
We are not interested to be landlords, planning to put a staircase between the two levels and remove the upstair kitchen. Agent suggested not to report to the town just to keep our options opened and we can sell it for 2 family if needed.

I think we may keep the house for at least another 10 years. Checking the houses around us, this house pays higher in property tax, about 5K more than the neighboring houses which are more or less than same.

As there is no 2 family house around, I think it may be difficult for me to fight to lower the tax.

My questions are
a. is it true that tax rate is higher for a 2 family house?
b. I am hoping if we turn it back to 1 family, we will safe at least 50k for the 10 years..does it make sense?

thanks for the response

[cobble]

This a very "Local" question, a lot of the answers depend on your market. In my market 2 families are less desirable and sell for less and are appraised for less and therefore have lower taxes.

[twingles]

Agree with pp....I know on Long Island 2 family houses are taxed much higher than 1 family. Make sure you really want to consider this though, because you'll need to let a building inspector in when you make the changes (removing kitchen, etc) and if he finds things he doesn't like, you're in deep *****.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by anna_mom

We have put an offer on a short sale, it is a 2 family.
We are not interested to be landlords, planning to put a staircase between the two levels and remove the upstairs kitchen.

You'll probably need to do more than just remove the appliances.
Most towns will require you to completely incapacitate the space from that use by removing the plumbing (gas, drains, supply pipes, vents) and electrical work associated with a separate tenancy.

Agent suggested not to report to the town just to keep our options opened and we can sell it for 2 family if needed.

Agent is probably right as far as he took his statement.
The problem is he didn't mention the rest of what you need to know.

There is no good reason to limit the currently allowed use
but if/when you do make changes don't plan on that not being noticed by the town.
---

"if it ain't broke... don't fix it"
If you really don't want to be a LL... find another place to buy.

hth