Why Multigenerational Living Is Changing What New Jersey Home Buyers Want

More buyers are looking for something that wasn't always at the top of the traditional home-buying wish list: a home that can comfortably accommodate more than one generation.

The growing interest in multigenerational homes in New Jersey reflects more than one lifestyle trend. For some families, parents or relatives come from overseas and stay for extended periods of time. Others have aging parents they want nearby, adult children living at home longer, grandparents helping with childcare, or simply a desire to have more of the family under one roof.

And here in Hunterdon County, Somerset County and the Greater Princeton area, there are plenty of reasons why this type of living arrangement can make sense.

What Do Buyers Look for in Multigenerational Homes in New Jersey?

The ideal multigenerational home isn't necessarily just a very large house.

The layout matters.

Families often want the ability to spend time together while still having enough separation for everyone to maintain some privacy and independence.

That can make certain features particularly appealing:

• First-floor bedroom suites

• Full bathrooms on the main level

• Finished walkout basements

• Separate or secondary living areas

• Private entrances

• Multiple home offices

• Additional bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms

• Flexible bonus rooms

• Larger kitchens and gathering spaces

• Multiple laundry areas

• Additional kitchen or kitchenette space where permitted

• Adequate parking for multiple drivers

A well-designed home can allow several generations to live together without everyone feeling as though they're living on top of one another.

A First-Floor Suite Can Be Particularly Valuable

One feature I see becoming increasingly useful is a first-floor bedroom with access to a full bathroom.

For a family with parents or grandparents living in the home, eliminating the need to regularly navigate stairs can be important.

But that same space can serve many purposes.

It could accommodate relatives visiting from overseas for several months, provide privacy for long-term guests, become a home office when it isn't needed as a bedroom, or eventually provide first-floor living for the homeowners themselves.

That's what makes flexible floor plans so valuable: the house can evolve along with the family.

Extended Family Doesn't Always Mean Permanent Family

Multigenerational living doesn't necessarily mean three generations permanently sharing one house.

In our area, families may have parents, grandparents or other relatives who spend extended periods visiting from another state or another country.

A week-long visit is very different from having someone stay for two or three months.

Having a private bedroom, bathroom and living area can make those longer visits much more comfortable for everyone.

For buyers who know extended family will be a regular part of their lives, those spaces can become an important part of the home search.

The Financial Side of Multigenerational Living

There's also a practical financial argument for sharing a home.

Housing costs, property taxes, utilities, maintenance and other household expenses can add up quickly when a family is maintaining two or three separate residences.

For some families, combining resources allows them to purchase a larger or better-equipped property than they might otherwise consider individually.

There can also be practical savings beyond the mortgage.

Grandparents may help with childcare. Adult children may contribute toward household expenses. Family members can share responsibilities for maintaining the property.

Of course, every family's financial and legal circumstances are different, so ownership, financing and estate-planning decisions should be discussed with the appropriate financial, legal and tax professionals.

But from a real estate standpoint, it's easy to understand why some buyers are considering whether one well-designed home could serve the needs of several generations.

Hunterdon County Can Offer Space and Flexibility

Hunterdon County can be particularly attractive for buyers looking for multigenerational living options because larger homes, bigger lots and more flexible properties can provide the space these households need.

Communities such as Readington Township, Tewksbury, Clinton Township, Raritan Township and surrounding areas can offer properties where families have room to spread out while still sharing one home.

Larger lots may also provide more parking, outdoor recreation and gathering space—features that can become increasingly important when several adults are sharing a property.

Multigenerational Homes in Somerset County

Somerset County offers another appealing combination: larger homes and established residential communities with convenient access to major employment centers, transportation, shopping and healthcare.

Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bedminster, Warren and surrounding communities can provide options for buyers who need more flexible living arrangements while still prioritizing convenience.

For multigenerational households with family members commuting in different directions, location can be just as important as the house itself.

Greater Princeton and Multigenerational Living

The Greater Princeton area is another market where flexible living arrangements can be particularly relevant.

Princeton, Montgomery, Hopewell, Pennington, West Windsor, Lawrenceville and neighboring communities offer a wide variety of housing styles and locations.

For a multigenerational buyer, the search may extend beyond the traditional number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

Is there a bedroom and full bathroom on the first floor?

Could the finished lower level provide additional privacy?

Are there enough living spaces for different generations to enjoy the home independently?

Is there sufficient parking?

How close is the property to transportation, shopping, healthcare and everyday necessities?

Those questions can significantly change which properties make sense for a particular family.

Not Every "In-Law Suite" Is Legally a Second Residence

This is also an area where buyers need to be careful.

A finished basement with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette may look like a separate apartment, but that doesn't necessarily mean the municipality recognizes it as a legal second dwelling unit.

Local zoning, permits, certificates of occupancy and restrictions on accessory dwelling units can vary considerably from one municipality to another.

Before purchasing a home based on plans for a separate living area—or renovating a home to create one—buyers should verify what is legally permitted.

That's particularly important in New Jersey, where requirements can differ from town to town.

Sellers Shouldn't Overlook These Features

If you're selling a home with a first-floor suite, finished walkout basement, multiple living areas, additional bathrooms, separate entrance or another flexible space, those features may deserve more attention in your marketing than you realize.

The goal isn't to assume who will purchase the home or how they'll use it.

It's to show buyers the possibilities.

A first-floor suite might work for extended family, guests or a home office.

A finished walkout basement might provide recreation space, a gym, work-from-home space or additional flexibility.

Good real estate marketing helps buyers envision how a home's features could work for their particular lifestyle.

The Definition of the "Right House" Is Changing

For years, buyers primarily talked about bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage and school districts.

Those things still matter.

But families are increasingly thinking about how a house can adapt to different stages of life.

Can parents stay comfortably for several months?

Could an aging parent eventually live there?

Is there room for an adult child to return home?

Can several adults work from home without competing for space?

And could the house continue working for the family 10 or 20 years from now?

Those are becoming important real estate questions.

For buyers, finding the right multigenerational home requires looking beyond the listing's basic specifications and understanding how the floor plan actually functions.

And for sellers, recognizing the flexibility already built into your home can help you position it more effectively for today's buyers.

If you're considering buying or selling a home in Hunterdon County, Somerset County or the Greater Princeton area and flexible or multigenerational living is important to you, I'd be happy to help you understand the options available in our local market.

Elizabeth DelCasale REALTOR®

Coldwell Banker Realty

Serving Hunterdon County, Somerset County & the Greater Princeton Area