Finding the right multi-generational family home

Finding the Right Multi-Generational Family Home

Multi-generational living is catching on in the United States with roughly 20% of the population currently living in a multi-generational household. Most often the reasons for living in a multi-generational household center around health, finances, or an adult child moving in with parents. Bringing generations together under one roof requires a house with the capacity to handle all of the different lifestyles. Here are tips to finding the right multi-generational family home.

Finding the Right Multi-Generational Family Home

Address Your Family’s Needs

There are many factors to consider when finding the right multi-generational family home.

  • Length of arrangement – If the living arrangement is temporary, consider whether you need to buy a new home or if you can modify your current home. If your kids are moving back in with you until they start their job in six months, this is a situation where you could probably modify your current property. If your parents are moving in with you indefinitely, then it may be best to look for a home with extra space to accommodate the extra people in the home.
  • Specific needs of family members – Will your 80-year-old father need a ramp to get in and out of the home instead of stairs? Will you need to find a home that has a bedroom on the main floor to accommodate his need? Will your driveway have to fit an extra car? Will you be cooking and eating in the same kitchen and dining room or will you prefer separate kitchens? These are just a few needs to address to ensure you are all as comfortable as possible when living together.
  • Household chores – How will you split up the family chores? Who will be responsible for doing the dishes, laundry, trash, mowing, etc.? Addressing these questions earlier rather than later will help avoid awkwardness down the road.

Renovation vs. New Home

If your parents are moving in with you, it’s worth looking into renovating your home. This can mean adding an additional bedroom onto the house, or building a small separate apartment style space onto your home. A lot of times, renovating your current home is less money and hassle than uprooting your entire life to a new home. Additionally, if you’re planning on your kids returning home from school and living with you but you have a couple of year until this happens, you can build the apartment onto your home now, and make it a short term rental.

There are many situations where multi-generational living makes sense, so follow these tips to make the transition as smooth as possible.

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