If you set up the right space,
living under one roof with your parents won't break the bank-- or drive you
crazy.
By Sara Max
Last year, Charleen and Chris Tivnan were looking to add a second story to their 1,200-square-foot ranch home in Holden, Mass., to make space for her parents. Then they came across a larger, four-bedroom colonial nearby that had a first-floor in-law suite. The new house cost $420,000, almost twice as much as their ranch house. But given that the planned renovation would cost $275,000, the Tivnans realized that buying was a no-brainer. Charleens mom and dad are happy too. Now we can go away for the winter without worrying about our pipes freezing, says Charleens mother, Pauline Erickson.
These days roughly 16% of the population is living in a house with at least two adult generations, up from 12% in 1980, according to the Pew Research Center. Thats the highest level in 50 years. The economy has played no small role in this increased familial bonding. Given the aging boomer generation and the expected growth in home ownership among Hispanics and Asians, for whom multigenerational living is more common, the trend will probably be with us for a while, says Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects.
To be sure, living with your parents or your in-laws can offer plenty of benefits: You get help with household expenses and maybe child care; the older generation can live independently longer. That said, finding a place to live that accommodates two or more generations comfortably can be a difficult and expensive proposition. To do it right, follow these steps.
MAP OUT YOUR IDEAL SPACE
No matter how close you are to your parents or in-laws, both generations should maintain some privacy, says Sharon Graham Niederhaus, co-author of Together Again: A Creative Guide to Successful Multigenerational Living. The ideal layout depends on the current health of your or your spouses parents and on your time horizon. If they are in good health, a second-floor or a basement suite might be the best solution, at least for now. But its worth keeping in mind that Mom and Dad might not be able to navigate stairs someday, so a home with a first-floor apartment might make more sense for a long-term arrangement.
Finally, think about how you and your parents or in-laws will interact on a daily basis. Plan to eat dinner together every night? Then you can probably forgo two complete kitchens and instead opt for a breakfast bar with a sink, a fridge and a microwave for them, says Scottsdale, Ariz. architect Tim Dodt.
RUN THE NUMBERS ON A REDO VS. BUYING NEW
To get the setup you need, you have three options: converting your existing home, adding on to it or moving to a new space. If you are looking to expand or remodel, the first step is to check the zoning rules in your area; many have restrictions that may prevent you from adding an in-law apartment. Next, ask an architect or a contractor to give you an estimate of costs (find one certified as an aging-in-place specialist at nahb.org/caps). Putting in a bathroom can cost about $40,000; a new master suite could easily run six figures. As a rule, converting an existing space within a house or garage is anywhere from 50% to 75% less expensive than increasing your homes footprint or building up, says Bend, Ore. design consultant Thomas Carson.
Once you know what it would take to redo your house, compare it with the prices of homes for sale in your area that already have the layout you need; you may, like the Tivnans, find that its cheaper to move.
Regardless of whether you remodel or buy, youll need to factor in higher ongoing expenses, such as property taxes and utility and grocery store bills. Decide up front who will pay what, says Niederhaus.
KEEP AN EYE ON RESALE
While you are not likely to recoup the cost of an expensive conversion, the good news is that as baby boomers age, multigenerational homes are increasingly popular, says Worcester, Mass. real estate agent Lisa Westerman. Still, the ideal space is one that can easily be repurposed," she says. So before you build or buy, talk to a local real estate pro about what sells well in your market. In college towns, for example, an in-law apartment may appeal to buyers looking to rent to grad students. In resort areas, houses with dual master suites tend to attract buyers.
In the Tivnans case, the sellers of the home they bought had had multiple offers, so the couple feel confident about their investment. Its worked out perfectly, says Charleen.
From the November 2011 issue of Money. © 2012 Time Inc. All rights reserved.
Last year, Charleen and Chris Tivnan were looking to add a second story to their 1,200-square-foot ranch home in Holden, Mass., to make space for her parents. Then they came across a larger, four-bedroom colonial nearby that had a first-floor in-law suite. The new house cost $420,000, almost twice as much as their ranch house. But given that the planned renovation would cost $275,000, the Tivnans realized that buying was a no-brainer. Charleens mom and dad are happy too. Now we can go away for the winter without worrying about our pipes freezing, says Charleens mother, Pauline Erickson.
These days roughly 16% of the population is living in a house with at least two adult generations, up from 12% in 1980, according to the Pew Research Center. Thats the highest level in 50 years. The economy has played no small role in this increased familial bonding. Given the aging boomer generation and the expected growth in home ownership among Hispanics and Asians, for whom multigenerational living is more common, the trend will probably be with us for a while, says Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects.
To be sure, living with your parents or your in-laws can offer plenty of benefits: You get help with household expenses and maybe child care; the older generation can live independently longer. That said, finding a place to live that accommodates two or more generations comfortably can be a difficult and expensive proposition. To do it right, follow these steps.
MAP OUT YOUR IDEAL SPACE
No matter how close you are to your parents or in-laws, both generations should maintain some privacy, says Sharon Graham Niederhaus, co-author of Together Again: A Creative Guide to Successful Multigenerational Living. The ideal layout depends on the current health of your or your spouses parents and on your time horizon. If they are in good health, a second-floor or a basement suite might be the best solution, at least for now. But its worth keeping in mind that Mom and Dad might not be able to navigate stairs someday, so a home with a first-floor apartment might make more sense for a long-term arrangement.
Finally, think about how you and your parents or in-laws will interact on a daily basis. Plan to eat dinner together every night? Then you can probably forgo two complete kitchens and instead opt for a breakfast bar with a sink, a fridge and a microwave for them, says Scottsdale, Ariz. architect Tim Dodt.
RUN THE NUMBERS ON A REDO VS. BUYING NEW
To get the setup you need, you have three options: converting your existing home, adding on to it or moving to a new space. If you are looking to expand or remodel, the first step is to check the zoning rules in your area; many have restrictions that may prevent you from adding an in-law apartment. Next, ask an architect or a contractor to give you an estimate of costs (find one certified as an aging-in-place specialist at nahb.org/caps). Putting in a bathroom can cost about $40,000; a new master suite could easily run six figures. As a rule, converting an existing space within a house or garage is anywhere from 50% to 75% less expensive than increasing your homes footprint or building up, says Bend, Ore. design consultant Thomas Carson.
Once you know what it would take to redo your house, compare it with the prices of homes for sale in your area that already have the layout you need; you may, like the Tivnans, find that its cheaper to move.
Regardless of whether you remodel or buy, youll need to factor in higher ongoing expenses, such as property taxes and utility and grocery store bills. Decide up front who will pay what, says Niederhaus.
KEEP AN EYE ON RESALE
While you are not likely to recoup the cost of an expensive conversion, the good news is that as baby boomers age, multigenerational homes are increasingly popular, says Worcester, Mass. real estate agent Lisa Westerman. Still, the ideal space is one that can easily be repurposed," she says. So before you build or buy, talk to a local real estate pro about what sells well in your market. In college towns, for example, an in-law apartment may appeal to buyers looking to rent to grad students. In resort areas, houses with dual master suites tend to attract buyers.
In the Tivnans case, the sellers of the home they bought had had multiple offers, so the couple feel confident about their investment. Its worked out perfectly, says Charleen.
From the November 2011 issue of Money. © 2012 Time Inc. All rights reserved.
Turn to Naperville Asset Management Team of Susan S. Lewis Ltd. for more information on stretching your assets.
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