What to Look For in a Home for Multi-Generational Living
Multi-generational living is becoming more popular for several reasons. For many families, the choice is a financial one. Others, though, want the benefits of having more generations in the same household, such as for help with childcare, for taking care of elderly parents, or because it's the norm in their culture. No matter the reasons for your decision, there are particular characteristics to look for in a multi-generational home to ensure your family lives comfortably under one roof. Here are a few factors to consider.
1. Enough Square Footage
One of the main concerns is having enough space for everyone. You’ll likely want more than one living room and may also like an additional kitchen to create an independent living space within the same home.
2. Rooms Suitable for Multi-Use Spaces
To reduce the need for more rooms than you can easily afford, consider how you could use some spaces for multiple activities. For instance, a home office during the day could become a playroom in the evenings and at weekends, whereas a spare bedroom could become another living room when you don’t have guests. Being adaptable will also be useful if your family grows, your oldest children move out to go to university, or someone starts working from home.
3. Sufficient Bathrooms
Consider how many bathrooms you need. This will depend not only on the number of family members but also their ages and routines. Think about what is likely to be comfortable in the future as well as now.
4. Features for Aging Relatives
A multi-generational home tends to be a forever home for many of its residents. You are also less likely to look for a new property in the next few years than are residents of single-family homes. This means it’s important to have features that will allow elderly relatives to age in places, including features you don’t need right now. Some important ones are close proximity to medical centers and accessibility for family members with restricted movement.
5. Compliance with Local Codes
Make sure you’ll be adhering to local regulations before you settle on a home. Some municipalities have rules around the ratio of bedrooms to occupants. This means you may not be able to use a room designed for another purpose as a bedroom. Similarly, it’s important to check local codes if you’re considering making any additions to the home. For example, if a home has a septic tank, this will only be able to accommodate a certain number of bathrooms. Furthermore, you may have enough space for an accessory dwelling unit, but codes may not allow you to build one.
6. Extra Amenities
Lastly, you should consider whether you’d like any additional amenities (if this is within your budget). Some multi-generational homes are in master-planned communities, meaning you have access to facilities like pools, gyms, and community centres with daytime activities for retirees.
To find a multi-generation home that meets all these criteria, you need support from experts in real estate. St. Albert homebuyers can receive help from the team at Damon Bunting. Contact us to discuss your requirements and we’ll find your dream home.