Hello Gloria,

Yes, in fact, I have!  My wife's family and myself and a couple of buyer clients have all purchased and own several duplexes.  If large enough, they can be perfect for housing parents as well as extended family for any  number of reasons.  My recently graduated brother-in-law has used one of the units for several years while attending college.  Now, another family member is moving in for a couple of years while attending a local nursing program.

Here also, we have many homes built with seperate in-law suites included as well as seperate stand-alone guest houes attached by a covered walkway.

I have met some families who are looking for the future, with plans of Mom and Dad moving in with them.  But it's hard to help a client like this unless they are willing to get the parents involved as well.    And somehow, any home I show these people will fall short of their expectations.  It's a tough one to deal with.

Gloria, If you have a client that is looking at new construction, then can't they have something custom-built which works for them?

Yes, we can, Kel, but since Mom and Dad aren't quite ready, they aren't sure whether to build their own dream home with future room for the parents, or to build rooms for Mom and Dad from the get go knowing that they are going to be there eventually.  We also are looking at future marketability of the home so we want to stay away from mother-in-law quarters which are a hindrance in this market. I think we've settled on a three bedroom with a master suite and two bedrooms and bath together for future parents, but a powder room elsewhere so no one has to use the parent's bath.  Keeping the square footage affordable is the main goal.  Keeping spaces private is a challenge. 

Two of my sales last year were for multi-generational families (one with mom living with them, the other was mom buying and 40 yo daughter and boyfriend living with her.  I have a couple others that want multiple homes on the same property so family can be close by. I think this is a trend that will be with us for quite a while.

Teresa - That is so true.  My clients are ready to move now into their home moving toward retirement but know that aging parents will be with them within a few years.  It's tough to decide exactly how to fit the present and future needs and still keep a marketable house in case the world changes.