Thanks to rising housing and healthcare costs, many families have begun sharing multigenerational homes over the past few years. A multigenerational home is one where grandparents, parents, and children all live under the same roof. According the Pew Research, a record 64 million Americans are living this way as of 2018. More people sharing a space may not seem ideal, but it does have its perks; from saving money to being present to care for family members when needed. All in the Family: Making a Multigenerational Household Work
Multigenerational living means enough space in homes is needed to provide comfort and privacy for all family members. If you are in search of a home for this purpose, here are some things to look for:
Accessibility. Even if the elders in the family are getting around easily now, it is important to think ahead to when it might not be so easy for them. Open floor plans are ideal for creating spaces that are easily accessible should someone be in a wheelchair at some point. In addition, look for a home that has at least one main floor bedroom and full bath so that going up and down stairs won’t be a problem in the future.
Main floor bedrooms. As stated above, it is ideal to have at least one main floor bedroom. But if you can find a home with more than one main floor bedroom, all the better. Having some bedrooms upstairs and some downstairs provides a separation and privacy between generations.
Rooms that can serve dual purposes. Keep in mind that it is easy to convert a bedroom into another type of space, but not always possible to convert another space into bedroom. Bedrooms need windows and a closet. So when looking for a house, look for one with as many bedrooms as possible so that they can be used for different purposes like a den, playroom or office.
Private living space for everyone. Look for a home large enough and with enough rooms to provide a private living space for each generation. For example an office could become a den for grandparents, family room for the middle generation and maybe a playroom upstairs for the youngsters.
Private entrances. Look for homes that are already set up for multigenerational families. They may have an in-law suite, an apartment over the garage and private entrances for different parts of the home. If you cannot find one already built, consider a renovation on an existing home to add these features.
Whether you find the perfect property, renovate a home, or build one from scratch, remember to consider the needs, privacy and accessibility of all your family members and you will have a home filled with love!
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the New River Valley area, contact professional, experienced Realtor Desi Sowers and let her assist you with all your real estate needs. Give her a call today at 540-320-1328!