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I’m strongly considering a 2-family property w/ an additional house in the backyard.

The front house is the 2 family.

The owner says that the back house (a 2-story 3-bedroom) is registered as a “mother/daughter” unit and thus the property is not a 3-family, though the back house is legal to rent.

Does anyone have any info on mother/daughter units?

I have spoken to a broker and his belief was that the mother/daughter unit would not be counted for anything at all in getting the property assessed.

The asking price (1.2mil) would be high for a smallish 2-family in Prospect Heights, so taking into account the rental income of the back house is essential to getting an assessment that would qualify me for a mortgage.

It seems like the owner won’t be able to get a buyer at this price without the back house being included in the assesment, unless the buyer could put down around 50%.

Anyone gotten a place w/ a mother/daughter unit assessed? I’m still hopeful because the rental income would cover my mortgage payments nicely.