We’re talking about it, we’re talking about it and we’re talking about it: house prices are higher than they’ve ever been, and it’s getting harder and harder for young buyers to become homeowners. Mini homes, container homes, condominiums, mobile homes: all possibilities are considered, and nothing is left to chance. But have you considered the intergenerational home? Stay with us as our home inspectors present 3 advantages of opting for an intergenerational home!

Different from a so-called traditional house, an intergeneration home comprises two separate dwellings: the main dwelling, which occupies most of the house, and a smaller secondary dwelling. And whether or not the two units are connected from the inside, each dwelling has a separate exterior door providing private access.
An intergenerational home offers many advantages, the most important of which, in our opinion, are as follows:

1. Easier access to home ownership
Intergenerational home ownership has always been an excellent way to achieve home ownership, and this is even truer today given the current state of the real estate market. It’s therefore advantageous for a young family to join forces with their parents to share the purchase price of a home.

Also, the fact that two generations of the same family can own their own living space, without having to take out separate mortgages and sharing many costs, makes it possible for many young households to become homeowners.

2. A solid investment
Buying an intergeneration home is an excellent real estate investment for several reasons. One of these is the fact that sellers of an intergeneration home can ask for as much as 15% more than a single-family home of the same size. And even if you consider that this type of home can take a fortnight longer to sell, I imagine you’ll agree that it’s worth the risk. Especially as demand for intergenerational homes continues to grow.

This type of building is perfect for anticipating and adapting to your family’s changing needs. Once grandparents can no longer live in the intergenerational home, it can just as easily serve as a first home for growing children. And who knows, maybe the roles will reverse and the parents occupying the main unit will eventually make way for the children and move into the intergenerational unit…

3. A family-friendly environment
Are you going on an outing and need someone to look after the children? With grandparents nearby, no problem! Planning to come home from work a little later? The grandparents will be delighted to welcome your children.

But that’s not all! Sharing a home with your parents or parents-in-law also means sharing certain responsibilities, and although age no longer allows them to do everything, they can still carry out a number of day-to-day tasks: garden or lawn maintenance, for example.

And this proximity brings just as many advantages for grandparents, enabling them to live independently and avoid nursing homes for as long as possible.

So, if you too are looking to benefit from the many advantages that an intergenerational home can offer, contact our home inspectors. They’ll help you make a prudent and diligent purchase.