multigenerational homes Sacramento

Discover Benefits of Multigenerational Homes

Multigenerational homes come in many different styles and sizes to meet the needs of multigenerational families.


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Multigenerational checklist Sacramento

What is a multigenerational home?

A multigenerational home is designed to meet the needs of multigenerational families or in other words an extended family living arrangement. Multigenerational families have unique requirements for public and private space within a home. One common feature is the desire for multiple master suites for example two master bedrooms.

What is a multigenerational family? 

How to define multigenerational family will help understand their family needs. The U.S. Census Bureau defines multigenerational families as those consisting of more than two generations living under the same roof. Multigenerational Households come in all shapes and sizes. Naming the type of multigenerational household is not as important as understanding the needs of the people living in the home.

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What are multigenerational homes called?

Multigenerational homes have a descriptive list of its parts and marketing names. Some names describe the house like two homes under one roof or home within a home. Other names combine relationship with a house like granny flat, mother-in-law suite, four generations – one roof or a casita. 2Gen homes, GenSmart, Next Gen houses and many more are marketing names for multigenerational properties.

Multigenerational households’ categories help reveal the design features the home needs to have.

Categories of multigenerational households are a way to understand their needs and discussing general housing requirements. These four categories of multigenerational families make clear how a house design can meet their needs. Each of the unique family members have ways a home can meet their needs. Three or more generations have a multigenerational living requirements that will make finding a Sacramento California home a challenge.

1. Three-generation: The most common multigenerational household arrangement consists of three generations. Grandparents, parents and children would be an example of a three-generational home. Typically they would want two master suites and then a mix of private and public rooms to meet their needs.

2. Two adult generations: two-generation households are two generations living together. This would not be a family living arrangement like parents and young children. One way of looking at this is two independent families living together. Some examples would be parents with an adult child or grandparents and parents. “Boomerang” children are a common way to form this type of household. Typically they would want two master suites and shared living areas.

3. Four-generation: The four or even five-generation household – parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, adult children and their children create a complex set of social and housing needs. These multiple generations family homes can have three to four master suite requirements. The amount of public and private space must be balanced between desires and budget. A 4,000 to 10,000 square feet house could be required to meet this multigenerational family’s needs.

4. Grand families: This family structure has the needs of a nuclear family even though it is a multigenerational family. Grand families are, households headed by an older individual or couple who live with grandchildren under age 18. They typically  would want one master suite and bedrooms for the children. Two family rooms are great for this family so each generation can enjoy their own entertainment. Teen age children may need more private space, maybe even with some soundproofing to create that individual time needed.

Multigenerational properties come in many different styles and sizes to meet the needs of these families.

Multigenerational properties come in many different styles and sizes. Determining the best house set up is based on the family’s wants and needs list and budget. A room used as a den with one family may be play room or office to another. It could also be used as a second family room or game room. Understanding the unique family situation is the key to finding that multi-generational property to become a new home.

Is Sacramento a good place to look for a multigenerational property?

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Sacramento real estate has many types of properties. Not many houses are purpose built for a multigenerational family. But what Sacramento offers is a great variety of houses that are perfect for the needs of a multi-generational family. Many developers in the past made large houses with many rooms which will work especially well for a multi-generational family. Also I have sold former care home properties to multi-generational families because of the unique features that matched their needs. Multi generational properties need an experienced realtor like Dan Parisi to locate the right multigenerational house for sale.

“I have sold former care home properties to multigenerational families because of the unique features that matched their needs.”

Dan Parisi of Coffee Real Estate

What house features can facilitate a harmonious home life?

An agreeable home life is the key to a good multigenerational house. What house features can facilitate a harmonious home life? Finding a house that can meet the needs of a Multi-generational family will go a long way to create peace at home. Enjoying the benefits of a multi-generational family can be enhanced by a house that meets the family’s needs. Some family members will need their own private entrance and master bedrooms. On the other hand, a house that fails to meet the needs can create discord and frustration.

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What makes a property multigenerational?

The house that makes a multigenerational property a good fit is the one that meets that individual family unit’s needs. No one property design fits all multigenerational property wants or needs. Showing the common features of a multigenerational property will help the multigenerational family understand what property features to look for when shopping for a home.

What is important when shopping for a multigenerational home?

Communication with a realtor like Dan Parisi who is a real estate consultant with the features you want in a multigenerational home is one important issue. You can save a lot of time when looking for a new home by clearly discussing the wants, needs and hopes for features with your real estate professional. Here are more tips when shopping for a multigenerational house. Coffee Real Estate has developed a multi-generational home checklist to make this easier to accomplish. Get your free copy here….

One feature of a home can be important

One example is how important one feature is to some members of the multi-generational family.  Let’s say Mom and Dad did not share how important it is to have an ensuite bedroom and the search began with one master with en-suite when they needed 2 ensuite bedrooms.  An en-suite is a bathroom that is directly connected to a bedroom. Then after some time and Mom and Dad kept saying “no” to the homes, it is discovered they want the ensuite for each generational couple. The time lost not looking for a two master bedroom with bath is lost. In addition, how would that information impact the price? Also, how would that impact the square footage of the property? And it goes on and on.

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How helpful will a multigenerational real estate checklist be?

Listing the home’s features can be very helpful. Our checklist has these options: Must Have, Would Like, Willing to Compromise, Must NOT have, Not Important. The idea to embrace is at any given time in the real estate market, the perfect home with all the wants and needs in the picture-perfect location and at the right price may not be a reality. Therefore, compromises must be made. The checklist helps with that process.

The multigenerational property has a unique mix of home designs. None of the designs are unique, but the mix of building features creates a design suited for the multi-generational family. In other words, a master suite is not unique, but having two or three master suites in a home is unique.

What is privacy versus public areas in a a multigenerational home?

Another thought before the list is the privacy versus public areas.   Successful multi-generational living requires a fine balance between private and communal spaces. Private space can mean a two building layout like a guest house with a separate, self-sufficient unit away from the main house. Or privacy can be as simple as a personal bedroom with a door that can lock. Explore what every family member wants and needs for privacy when creating the list of features.

Public areas focus around eating, social interaction, playing, entertainment, relaxing, parties and social gatherings. The rooms that fulfill these requirements can have more than one function. A child’s play room in the day can have a second TV for alternate entertainment than the family room. The size of the public room can be very important to some families. Working out what is needed and wanted before the house searching begins will help in looking for the right property with an approximate price range.

What are the unique rooms a multigenerational home can have?

Notice on the Multigenerational Home Checklist that there are several blank spaces to create your own features. Every multi-generational family is unique and so is the features needed to meet all the individual needs of the family. There is not a music room on the list. But that could be a key need when looking for your multi-generational home. Rooms for crafting, home school room, man cave, she cave, specialized medical room, extra storage, work rooms and many others.

How important is it to work with a real estate professional that has experience with multigenerational home?

One last point; work with a real estate agent that is comfortable with all these issues. Many people choose a real estate agent by who they know, but in this case a specialist could be the best choice to finding your new multi-generational home. Coffee Real Estate has a Sacramento Multigenerational home experienced agents. If you are looking to by buy a house to fit your family’s needs or sell a multigenerational home with a agent who know how to promote its value reach out to us for a free no obligation consult.

Multigenerational home finder Sacramento
Multigenerational checklist Sacramento