Would you be surprised if we told you that the fastest-growing type of household in this country was the multi generational home? That’s what a study of the trends between 2001 and 2016 showed.

According to Today’s Parent, the number of Canadian families choosing to share living space increased by 37.5% in those 15 years! It’s a conservative estimate, too, since it doesn’t include families that live in legal two-or-three family multi-plexes.

Many of us think of living with parents or grandparents as adults as a custom for other cultures. Canadian culture has saddled young adults with the term “Boomerang Generation,” insinuating that they couldn’t make it on their own. For a long time, we shamed young people if they didn’t move out of the nest quickly enough. However, our collective mindset is shifting. We are learning the benefits and wonderful side-effects of multi-generational living.

In-Law Suites

Everyone has heard of an “in-law” suite. It’s usually a smaller, self-contained apartment within a single-family home. In Hamilton, the in-law suite is often in the basement, but it can be anywhere in the house.

We call it an in-law suite because the idea was for couples to keep a set of parents close – but not too close! Having a separate kitchen and bathroom allows for privacy and independence while sharing a home. Some properties make it possible to create a comfortable apartment space above a detached garage, which allows even a little more separation.

Have you ever considered sharing living quarters – with your in-laws or some other relative? If so, you are in good company!

Pros and Cons

The most obvious sacrifice to sharing a home is space. Dividing up a house means you probably won’t be able to just throw things in the basement whenever you want. The garage might be a little extra cluttered if each family unit gets half. You may not get a guest room or separate TV/rec room for the kids to play in. And, of course, there will be times when the people you love most just get on your nerves. That kind of goes with the territory.

The pros, though, can be well worth it.

Traditional sharing usually meant that a set of grandparents was always around to help with the kids. Here we are in 2021, and most working parents have had their lives turned upside down – at least a little. Even when working from home, built-in child care help is a godsend! Maybe ESPECIALLY when working from home…

If one generation is retired, that can mean valuable, daily help with running the household: cooking, shopping, gardening, etc. When everyone gets along well and respects one another’s boundaries, a family is often happier to be together.

It’s All About the Money

While we can understand all the great benefits of multi-generational living, most people still dream of owning a home of their own. They want a place that is separate from their family, even if they stay close by.

These days, with house prices rising weekly and rents soaring, some young adults are just giving up on that goal. They feel like they will never be able to afford it. Parents who are well-established worry about their kids, wondering if they will ever be able to own property. More and more often, these are the families choosing to live together.

For families who find themselves struggling to save up enough of a down payment to get into homeownership, temporarily combining households can be a great solution. Couples, with or without kids, who can move in with their parents for a few years can often save aggressively enough to strike out on their own.

Some, though, also make a conscious decision to merge households after living independently for other reasons: divorce, health concerns, convenience, to free up equity and downsize – or any number of other circumstances.

What Style of Home is Best to Share?

In Hamilton, bungalows are in high demand. The reason for this is often because it is a style that is easily divided into two separate and self-contained spaces. Raised bungalows, especially, have high windows and bright, sunny basements, which are very desirable.

Depending on the size of the second unit, some other styles can work well, too. Backsplits and sidesplits typically offer lots of square footage above ground – often 3 or 4 levels – plus a basement.

For a cozy apartment for a single person, almost any style of house can work, as long as the basement is high enough. We have seen gorgeous basement in-law suites in 1.5-and-2-storey homes. The drawback here is often the lack of sunlight if the windows are deep. Some of the beautiful century homes in central and east Hamilton have accessory apartments on the top floors that work well, as long as stairs are not a problem.

Word to the Wise

Sharing for family reasons can be the best way to save money and take care of one another at the same time. However, it’s important to consider a few things before you make the leap:

• Check zoning.  If you are buying a house to share, be sure you understand any zoning restrictions that might prevent you from modifying the house the way you want to.
• Always be mindful of safety. We always talk about how bedrooms must have a window, but that’s not entirely accurate. The Building Code actually says that there must be an egress window, or one big enough to escape from in case of emergency. Technically, the egress window for a basement bedroom can be anywhere on the same level as the bedroom. The main point is this: When you are trying to maximize space, always consider the safety of the layout. In case of fire or other emergency, be sure that no one will be trapped with no way out. That includes not putting “safety bars” on the outside of a window or allowing someone to sleep in a deep basement room with only tiny windows.
• Get needed permits for major renovations.  If you have to do electrical and plumbing work to modify your home, you need permits. This not only ensures that work is done safely but also increases the value of your home if you ever decide to sell.
• Consider legal duplex status.  City Hall may approve plans to put in a second kitchen for use by family members in some cases. For resale value, though, you may want to consider making the second unit a fully independent second suite. Sharing the property would be straightforward while you live there, and you could sell it as an income property when you’re ready to move on. Typically, this type of home sells for more on the open market and will justify any additional cost to renovate.

Where to Get More Info

We would be happy to share what we know about second suites and multi-generational living in the Hamilton area. Feel free to reach out with any questions you have. If we don’t know the answer, we will find it for you.

Additional reading you might find interesting:

Buying or Selling a Property With an In-Law Suite? – Be Very Careful!