In 2008, there were 3.8 million multigenerational households in the United States.    According to the United States Department of Commerce's Census Bureau, multigenerational households are defined as households that consist of "three or more generations of parents and their families" living in the same house. 

Multigenerational homes are often referred to as a"mother/daughter home" and/or an "in-law suite", basically both have the same meaning...keeping the house "All in the Family".

There's no doubt that many varieties of multigenerational homes exist but the most common are families which consist of grown children, grandparents and grandchildren all living under the same roof:

1. the homeowner, his/her children and grandchildren; or
2. the homeowner, his/her children and his/her own parents. 

There are many reasons as to why a single family home houses more people. 

• Baby boomers are now caring for elderly parents;
• Another group consists of younger families who live with their parents in order to pool finances in expensive housing markets or so they both can afford to live in a nicer home. Having live-in grandparents available for babysitting is an extra bonus;
• The empty nest sometimes becomes the crowded nest when parents welcome their grown children back for a period of time to help them get on their feet financially after graduating from college, losing a job or going through a divorce; and
• Home foreclosures have also caused many families to pool their resources with relatives and live together.

There are also several variations of what a multigenerational home consists of.  Some will have its own entrance, include a full second kitchen, bathroom and living area where others may just have an extra room or two with a private bath, without its own kitchen, with or without a separate entrance.   

Typically families under the same roof still desire own privacy and independence however zoning rules can forbid a property owner to create a multigenerational (a/k/a mother/daughter or in-law suite) type home with separate entrances and kitchens in a single-family zone.  

There are a handful of multigenerational (a/k/a mother/daughter or in-law suite)homes for sale within The Communities of West Essex (Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona and West Caldwell) located within Essex County, New Jersey.  Some of these homes offer the convenience of two kitchens (i.e., second kitchen) which may attract multigenerational families or perhaps just a single family who desires two kitchens.  When a second kitchen is not present in a multigenerational home, the families share the kitchen in the main living area of the house. 

For more information on multigenerational homes also known as mother/daughter or in-law suite homes for sale in Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell,Roseland, Verona and West Caldwell (i.e.,"WEST ESSEX"), please contact Your Resource for West Essex Real Estate, Gina Chirico.

COMMITTED TO OUR SCHOOLS!

COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITIES!!