Builders meet rising demand for multi-generational homes

Home is where the heart is, and for most that means having family at home. These days, family is not just the immediate family but the extended one, as well. And they need a home that fits their new needs.

Enter, the multi-generational home, a home fitted with design innovations that cater to the needs of homebuyers whose elderly parents, siblings and other relations live with them in one home. These include main floor bedroom with full bath, a developed basement suite, or sometimes even what is sometimes referred to as a mother-in-law suite (also called Garden Suite or Nanny Suite) located atop the rear lane garage.

Whatever the form, it is all about maximizing the home’s potential to accommodate a lifestyle that fits bigger households.

Prominent Homes Edmonton President, Gurdeep Khaira, tells Edmonton New Home + Condo Guide that many of the homes they offer now take this multi-generational lifestyle into account. “We are seeing a lot of buyers opting for these multi-generational home features. And now, it’s not just demand from first generation immigrants who come from countries where such arrangements are more culturally acceptable, other factors are making it more acceptable here as well.”

“Multi-generational homes have become increasingly popular in today’s market as they offer more benefits,” says Kelsey Truong, marketing coordinator at Excel Homes. “With the rising cost of living and exponential inflation, sharing a home also means sharing the mortgage, utility bills and taxes.”

Jayman BUILT Sales Manager, Dalayce Keen, says they are seeing a growing need for these types of homes. “We’re seeing a trend for families to live together – whether it is two siblings and their families, or a space for aging parents to live (ex. developed legal suite or a main floor bedroom option).”

While Tara Van Horn, Director, Marketing & Design at Coventry Homes, says the growing diversity of families also gives rise to the need for multi-generational homes.

“Our communities are growing more and more diverse with families of different sizes, structures and cultural backgrounds. Multi-generational homes can accommodate a variety of family structures and allow for greater flexibility in how families choose to live together,” she says.

Van Horn says it is Important to note that multi-gen living can be as easy as adding a bedroom and full-bathroom to the main floor. “It does not always require a “big-ticket” item such as a garden suite or full basement development. These can be costly endeavours, which can often deter home buyers. We recommend that people do their research and talk to their builders about other options to fulfill their needs.”

Most homebuilders, including Coventry Homes, Excel Homes, Jayman BUILT and Prominent Homes, offer all types of homes that can include multi-generational home features. Single-family homes are the most popular but even duplexes and even townhomes can have some of these features.

A new way of living

Truong says designs of homes at Excel have been constantly evolving, but the recent pandemic and the following economic turmoil had further underlined the need for home designs to evolve with changing needs.

“We have seen an increase in the desire for multi-generational homes since the pandemic, with many homeowners wanting to create a space in their home for their elderly parents to receive better care at a fraction of the cost of a retirement home. Multi-generational homes not only offer financial benefits, but they also offer mental and emotional benefits. They allow for families to create a stronger bond and be readily available to help with childcare and daily household chores, relieving the stresses of daily living.”

Khaira agrees. “It’s not just parents moving in with their children, sometimes it’s their siblings or cousins. Most of the times those are temporary arrangements though until those relatives can find a home of their own, but a home with these multi-generational features will always have increased resale values.”

Keen says laned homes are a very affordable option for a multi-generational home. “Two families can share in the expenses and pay much less than rent and they get to be homeowners and build wealth!”

Van Horn says younger people are also opting to live with their grandparents who can help with the raising of children. “Multi-generational homes allow scenarios to live with family members, grandparents helping with childcare; as well as young families living with parents to enter into home ownership. It also allows for pooling of resources.”

Coventry Homes

Coventry Homes’ most popular multi-gen home design is the Cassius, van Horn says, and they have a showhome for it in the southeast community of Aster.” It features our ‘Max Revenue’ lifestyle package; a full two-bedroom basement suite, complete with an eat-in kitchen, in-suite laundry and private side entrance. This option is a fantastic for aging parents, or adult children.”

While Coventry’s Hawks Ridge showhome in northwest Edmonton showcases a main floor bedroom and full bath. “Perfect for a live-in grandparent,” she adds.

Coventry’s sister company, Impact Homes, has a Garden Suite (sometimes also called nanny- or mother-in-law suite) in the Village at Griesbach.

“A garden-suite is a newer option for multi-generational living, where a full suite is built above a detached garage,” van Horn says. “The purpose of a garden suite is to provide additional housing options for families or individuals, or to generate rental income. They often include a bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchenette, and can be designed to accommodate various lifestyles and mobility needs. Garden suites have become increasingly popular, as they provide a way to add density to existing neighborhoods without compromising their character.”

Garden suites are now permitted in some Edmonton areas, subject to certain requirements and regulations, she adds. “Coventry has the flexibility to do revenue suites in duplexes and townhomes as well.” Check out coventry-homes.com for more.

Excel Homes

Excel homes offers a wide range of multi-generational homes in Edmonton. “Excel Homes offers various options to turn our duplexes, landed and front garage homes into a multi-generational home by developing your basement, converting a main floor flex room and half bath into a bedroom and full bathroom, or even adding a loft to the home that will include one bedroom, a bathroom, and an additional living space,” Truong says.

“Our Elmswood show home located in The Orchards community in SW Edmonton showcases a spacious and well thought out multi-generational home, with a main floor bedroom and full bath, as well as a one-bedroom basement suite that even includes its own laundry rough-in.”

Excel Homes offers the option to develop the basement in a duplex and laned home with one bedroom, a bathroom, and a rec room, or buyers can even upgrade to a full basement suite that includes a kitchen.

“Depending on the community and the lot, buyers can also add an exterior side entry to our homes which allows for more privacy. All Excel Homes’ models that have a flex room provide the option to upgrade that flex room into a bedroom, and the half bath into a full bathroom. This option has been a very popular upgrade for families with elderly parents/grandparents who have difficulties walking up the stairs.” Find out more at excelhomes.ca.

Jayman BUILT

Jayman’s Keen says they have showhomes in Edmonton that showcase their expertise in multi-generational living lifestyle. Options are also readily available to buyers to build a home to suit their needs.

Some of the most common multi-generational features asked for are side entries, or private secondary entries into a legal suite in the lower level, providing a level of separation between families living together and added privacy. Dual primary suites are also a common request, along with the main floor bedroom with full ensuite.

“Where permitted, legal suites can be added! Many of our floorplan already are designed with this in mind,” Keen adds. “The Edward for example (showhome Keswick) is a two bedroom laned home – perfect for two siblings that are looking to purchase a new home together. I would mention how affordable a laned hone is with a multi generational option. Both parties would pay much less than rent and they get to be homeowners and build wealth!

Keen says they have a Legal Suite in the Sonata showhome in Trumpeter at Big Lake. “This legal suite also won a CHBA Award of Excellence in this year’s awards!” she says. “We have two legal suite options in our Sonata showhomes – one in Southfork, Leduc and the other in Trumpeter at Big Lake.” For more, go to jayman.com.

Prominent Homes

Catering to such specific demands has always been the way Prominent Homes did business, as building custom homes has been in its DNA from day one.

“Our homes have always been very functional, as well as warm and inviting. We offer many personalized options for home-buyers to suit their needs – whether it’s working from home, home-schooling, or just spending more time in the kitchen or living room,” Khaira says.

“Many of our new homes can include in-demand items such as side entrances, basement suites, main floor master bedrooms, and affordable starting prices. We know the importance of loving where you live.”

New is the Stanton front-drive garage home. This 1,996 sq. ft. three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath model has an open concept that offers plenty of natural light throughout the home. The main floor features a high ceiling and large cabinets in the kitchen with a large central island and Granite or Quartz countertops options.

The master suite is the perfect place to retreat to relax in the tub. The main floor has Vinyl Planks flooring and Upper Floor has Carpet options to choose from in our studio. Prominent new homes come with Appliances Allowance and The Alberta New Home Warranty Program. Go to prominenthomes.ca to find out more.