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September 9th, 2019 by

Multi-Generational Living - Cressy & Everett Real Estate

When you're looking to buy a home, there are plenty of things to think about. Not the least of which is whether or not you want a home that can accommodate your parents, grandparents, or even your kids years down the road if necessary. We always hope that our elders and children live long, healthy lives, but there are times where they need help from family members.

Our real estate agents understand the challenges to multi-generational homebuyers, so we've put together these five tips for buying with a multi-generational focus.

  1. Why Consider Multi-Generational Living?
    You never really know what's waiting around the corner, but keeping a close eye on what's happening currently with both your family, as well as economic conditions, can help you buy now for later.

    Multi-generational homes have been around for decades, but the market crash of 2008 made them a mainstay in the housing industry. As the housing market plummeted, more and more families were forced into single homes. Parents moved in with children, grandparents moved in with grandchildren, and children moved in with both.

    All of that to say, know what you may be in for based on your family's dynamics.

  2. Evaluate Needs
    If you know that a parent will be living with you in the future, or there's a chance your child may return after college for a spell, then you need to evaluate the needs of those family members.

    Parents, grandparents, and children all have different needs, values, and ideas of what their living space should be, so make sure to buy based on who is most likely to be living with you. Parents and grandparents may need easy access to first-floor amenities, while children simply want privacy and personal space. 

    Shop for a home based on the needs of those family members.

  3. Look at Floor Plans
    Knowing what you may need in the future will dictate the floor plan you choose when buying a home. In some cases, you may very well be able to choose that floor plan if you're building, but in all likelihood, you'll be scouring existing floor plans looking for what will work.

    Again, the floor plan and home you choose will be largely dictated on your family's needs. Can your family share a kitchen and living space or should those be separate amenities? How accessible should certain parts of the home be? Consider all of these issues so you end up with the right layout.

  4. Room for Expansion
    Maybe you're unsure what the future holds for your family, but you want to leave room to expand if needed. If that's the case, then be sure to choose a property with either a home that can be added on to or a space to build a dedicated apartment or casita.

    Expanding your home can be very doable if you shop for the right one. It may be a good idea to talk to contractors who have experience with add-on remodels to be sure.

  5. Consult the Codes
    When it comes to multi-generational homes, there may be some local codes and ordinances to work through when either expanding or having family move in.

    Smaller towns and cities likely won't penalize you for additional residents in a home, or for adding on—as long as you abide by the local building codes. However, more densely populated areas will likely have strict ordinances dictating what you can build, for whom, and who may live in a dwelling.  

If you're looking to move to a new town, consult the city building and permits department to make sure you can do what you plan on doing without infringing on any laws. Additionally, if you're looking for South Bend Homes for Sale, then contact us to see what our multi-generational home inventory looks like today!

Categories: Buying a Home
Tags: Cressy & Everett, Buying a house, For Buyers, Home-buying tips

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