My clients have four beautiful children under the age of seven. There are bright smiles, blond heads, lots of energy and all the fun and chaos that comes with raising four little ones.
And they are running out of space.
Their current home simply isn’t keeping up with their growing family anymore. They need more bedrooms, more room to spread out and a home that will continue to work as four little children become four much bigger children.
Enter Grandma and Grandpa.
They’ve been thinking about selling their home and downsizing for the next stage of life. That opened the door to an interesting possibility.
What if they could find one property that worked for everyone?
By combining their resources, the two households could potentially purchase a larger, more spacious property than either might choose independently. The young family gets the room they need to grow. Grandma and Grandpa can simplify their lives while being close to their children and grandchildren.
But there is one very important requirement: separate living spaces.
Because successful multigenerational living isn’t simply about getting everyone under one roof. It’s about finding a home that gives everyone space to be together and space to live their own lives.
Why Consider Multigenerational Living?
There are many reasons families are considering multigenerational homes.
For some, it’s financial. Maintaining two separate households can be expensive. Combining resources may allow a family to purchase a home with more space, land, amenities or features than they could otherwise.
For others, it’s about helping aging parents while allowing them to maintain their independence.
And then there are the everyday benefits.
Grandparents may get to be a bigger part of their grandchildren’s lives. Parents may have an extra set of hands nearby. Family dinners can happen more often. Instead of scheduling a visit with Grandma and Grandpa, the kids can simply walk through a door.
For the right family, that can be pretty special.
Privacy May Be the Most Important Feature
Of course, loving your family doesn’t mean you want to spend every waking moment together.
One of the first things to look for in a multigenerational property is a floor plan that gives each household a sense of independence.
That might mean a first-floor suite with its own living room and bathroom. It could be a finished walkout lower level, an attached apartment, or another portion of the home with a separate entrance and a complete living area and kitchen.
The goal isn’t simply more square footage. It’s usable separation.
Two families could live in a very large home and still feel like they’re on top of one another if everyone shares the same kitchen, living room and entrances. Meanwhile, a thoughtfully designed home with distinct living areas can feel surprisingly private.
Think About Tomorrow, Not Just Today
When I help buyers think through a move, I always want to consider not only what works today but what will work for the next several years.
Four children under seven won’t stay little for long.
Those small children will eventually become teenagers who need more privacy, bring friends home and take up considerably more space.
Grandma and Grandpa’s needs may change, too. Stairs that are no problem today could become difficult later. A first-floor bedroom, walk-in shower, minimal steps and easy access to parking may become increasingly valuable.
That’s why flexibility is so important in a multigenerational home.
The best property isn’t necessarily the one that perfectly fits your family today. It’s the one that can continue adapting as your family changes.
Combining Resources Can Create New Possibilities
One of the interesting parts of this kind of situation is what becomes possible when two households combine their resources.
Instead of a growing family stretching to purchase a larger home while Grandma and Grandpa continue maintaining a separate property, there may be an opportunity to create a completely different arrangement.
Perhaps that means a larger home on several acres. Maybe it’s a property with a beautiful finished lower level, a guest house, or an existing in-law suite. It could even mean buying a home that has the space and layout to be thoughtfully modified.
Of course, combining households also means having important conversations before buying.
Who will own the property? How will the purchase be financed? How will ongoing expenses and major repairs be divided? What happens if someone’s circumstances change or one household eventually wants to move?
Those aren’t always fun conversations, but they’re important ones. A lender can help families understand financing options, while attorneys, financial advisors and tax professionals can provide guidance on ownership, estate planning and other financial considerations.
What Should You Look for in a Multigenerational Home?
Every family’s needs are different, but there are certain features to pay particular attention to when searching for a multigenerational home in Lancaster County or the surrounding area.
Look beyond the number of bedrooms and consider how the home actually functions. Multiple living areas, a first-floor bedroom and full bathroom, a finished walkout basement, separate or semi-private entrances, adequate parking, additional laundry facilities and flexible bonus rooms can all be valuable.
Outdoor space matters, too. A covered porch, patio, pool or large backyard can create places for everyone to gather without making the house itself feel crowded.
And don’t forget storage. Combining two households means combining a lot of belongings!
If you’re considering a property with a second kitchen, apartment, in-law quarters or plans to create a separate living space, it’s also important to investigate zoning, permits and local requirements before assuming the space can be used the way you intend.
Multigenerational Living Has Challenges, Too
There are wonderful benefits to living close to family, but it isn’t the right arrangement for everyone.
Privacy is probably the most obvious consideration, but there are plenty of smaller issues that can become important over time.
Who takes care of the yard? Who cleans the shared spaces? How are groceries handled? What about overnight guests? Are grandparents expected to help with childcare? How much input do they have in parenting decisions? What happens when four energetic children are playing while Grandma and Grandpa are hoping for a quiet afternoon?
The answers don’t matter nearly as much as having the conversations.
Clear expectations and good boundaries can be just as important to successful multigenerational living as the house itself.
Sometimes the Right Home Isn’t Labeled “Multigenerational”
This is where the home search can get interesting.
A property doesn’t necessarily need to be advertised as a “multigenerational home” or “home with an in-law suite” to be a great option.
Sometimes you have to look at a home differently.
Could that first-floor office and adjoining bathroom become a private suite? Could a walkout basement become a comfortable living area? Is there a bonus room that could serve as a second family room? Could an addition create the separation everyone needs?
When I’m helping buyers search for a unique living situation like this, I’m not just looking at the listing description. I’m looking at the floor plan and asking, Could this home work for the way this family actually wants to live?
That can open possibilities buyers might otherwise overlook.
Maybe the Perfect Home is One You Share
For my clients, the search is about much more than finding a bigger house.
It’s about imagining what life could look like for their entire family.
Four little children get room to grow. Their parents get the larger home they need. Grandma and Grandpa can downsize without giving up their independence. And everyone gets the opportunity to share more of everyday life together.
Will multigenerational living work for every family? Absolutely not.
But for the right family, with the right boundaries and the right property, it can create something pretty wonderful.
Sometimes the perfect home for six turns out to be the perfect home for eight.
Thinking about multigenerational living in Lancaster County or Lebanon County? Finding the right property often requires looking beyond the usual home search and thinking carefully about privacy, layout, accessibility and how your family’s needs may change over time. As a local Realtor, I help families look at those possibilities and find a home that works not just on paper, but for the way they really want to live.
