{"id":62084,"date":"2025-09-03T14:17:54","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T21:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=62084"},"modified":"2025-09-03T14:17:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T21:17:54","slug":"buyer-multi-family-generational-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-multi-family-generational-home\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Multi-Family Generational Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re exploring ways to live with more of your family under one roof, you may have come across the term <\/span>multi-family generational home.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

For some families, that might mean a duplex where parents live on one side and adult children on the other. For others, it\u2019s a single-family house with an in-law suite or basement apartment. Read on to learn which <\/span>type of home<\/span><\/a> could be the best fit for your family.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Step One: Consult with a Trusted Buyer's Agent<\/h3>\n

Tell us a little bit about your plans (where you\u2019re looking to buy and when you want to make a purchase), and we\u2019ll connect you with top-rated buyer\u2019s agents in your area. It takes only a few minutes, and it\u2019s free.<\/p>\n \n

\n Get Started<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/p>\n
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Defining a multi-family generational home<\/h2>\n

The terms \u201cmultigenerational\u201d and \u201cmulti-family\u201d are sometimes used interchangeably, even though they technically describe different setups. Nevertheless, if you\u2019re researching these or similar phrases, you\u2019re probably looking into different living arrangements to solve a life challenge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some definitions that might help you narrow down your preferences:<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a multigenerational home?<\/b>
\n<\/b>A traditional \u201cmultigenerational home\u201d generally refers to a single-family house designed for multiple generations to live together. Such a home might include parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and children all under one roof. The home will likely feature additional living spaces such as a finished basement, casita or <\/span>accessory dwelling unit<\/span><\/a> (ADU), <\/span>FROG<\/span><\/a> (finished room over garage), or a separate suite that provides privacy for everyone in the household.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a multi-family home?<\/b>
\n<\/b>A <\/span>multi-family home<\/span><\/a>, on the other hand, is legally structured as more than one living unit. Examples include duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. You\u2019ll typically find separate entrances, kitchens, and sometimes separate utilities. While many owners rent these units out for passive income, they can also be used for related family members who want (or need) to live close but maintain more independence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where the \u2018multi\u2019 home lines blur<\/b>
\n<\/b>When people search for a \u201cmulti-family generational home,\u201d they may actually be looking for either option \u2014 a true multi-family property or a single-family home built with multigenerational living in mind. A multi-family home is not so much defined by <\/span>square footage<\/span><\/a> as it is by layout and usability. No matter which definition you use, what matters most is finding a home that works for your family\u2019s situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Source: (iriana88w \/ DepositPhotos)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Why families choose multi-family generational living<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re weighing this lifestyle, you\u2019re not alone \u2014 it\u2019s an option that has been growing faster since the pandemic shook things up. According to USA Today, homes with at least two generations of adults over 24 or grandparents with younger grandchildren <\/span>quadrupled between 1971 and 2021<\/span><\/a>. More families throughout the United States are choosing to <\/span>combine households<\/span><\/a> for practical and personal reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n