As summer winds down and cooler weather makes its way to Mid-Missouri, the real estate market enters a new season, too. Fall buyers are often thinking beyond summer curb appeal and backyard.
Home Is Better Together: The Growing Appeal of Generational Living
Dated: September 9 2026
Views: 70
In honor of Grandparents Day — September 13
Home has always been about more than four walls. It’s where families gather, traditions are passed down, milestones are celebrated, and memories are made. In honor of Grandparents Day on September 13, we’re taking a closer look at a housing trend that brings those ideas together: generational living.
Generational, or multigenerational, living typically means having multiple generations of the same family living under one roof. That might be grandparents living with their adult children and grandchildren, aging parents moving in with their children, or even adult children remaining at home while they save for their next chapter.
For some families, it’s a financial decision. For others, it’s about caregiving, convenience, companionship, or simply wanting to spend more time together. Whatever the reason, the right home can make living together easier while still giving everyone a space of their own.
Why More Families Are Considering Generational Living
There isn't one single reason families choose to share a home.
For families with young children, having grandparents nearby can provide an extra set of hands and create opportunities for grandparents and grandchildren to build a special relationship. For families with aging parents, living together can make it easier to provide support while helping loved ones remain connected and involved in everyday family life.
Finances can also play a role. Sharing housing expenses, utilities, maintenance, groceries, and other household costs may make sense for families who would otherwise be maintaining multiple homes.
And sometimes, it's simply about being together.
Having Grandma and Grandpa down the hall can mean more family dinners, bedtime stories, Saturday morning pancakes, help with school pickups, conversations on the porch, and everyday moments that might otherwise be missed.
What Does a Multigenerational Home Look Like?
The perfect setup will look different for every family. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways a home can accommodate multiple generations.
Some buyers may specifically look for a home with a finished walkout basement, allowing grandparents or adult children to have a separate living area while remaining connected to the main home.
Others may prioritize homes with:
- Multiple primary suites or bedrooms with private bathrooms
- Main-level bedrooms and bathrooms
- Separate entrances
- Finished basements
- Second living rooms or family rooms
- Kitchenettes or wet bars
- Plenty of storage
- Larger kitchens and dining areas for family gatherings
- Additional garage or driveway space
- Flexible bonus rooms
- Outdoor spaces everyone can enjoy
Homes with acreage may also provide opportunities for families who want to live close to one another while maintaining more independence, depending on the property and applicable zoning and building requirements.
Privacy Still Matters
Living together doesn't have to mean doing everything together.
One of the biggest considerations when shopping for a multigenerational home is finding the right balance between shared and private spaces.
A large kitchen may become the heart of the home where everyone gathers for dinner, while separate living rooms give each generation somewhere to unwind. A main-level suite might allow grandparents to have their own bedroom and bathroom without navigating stairs, while a finished basement could provide adult children with additional independence.
Before beginning your home search, it's helpful for everyone involved to talk about what they need to feel comfortable.
Does someone need a bedroom on the main level? Would a second living area be important? How many bathrooms does the family realistically need? Is a separate entrance preferred? Does anyone need space to work from home?
The more you understand everyone's priorities, the easier it becomes to recognize the right home when you find it.
Think About the Future, Too
A home that works for your family today should ideally have the flexibility to continue working as life changes.
If grandparents are moving in, features such as minimal stairs, wider hallways, accessible bathrooms, and main-level living may become increasingly valuable over time.
Flexible spaces can also change purposes as your family's needs evolve. Today's playroom could become tomorrow's home office, bedroom, hobby room, or additional living area.
That's one of the advantages of looking beyond the number of bedrooms and bathrooms on a listing. How a home functions can be just as important as how large it is.
More Than a Housing Trend
Generational living may be a practical housing solution, but its benefits can go far beyond finances and convenience.
Grandparents can share family stories and traditions. Grandchildren get more opportunities to learn from and spend time with them. Parents may gain additional support. And everyone gets the chance to experience more of the little moments that turn into some of life's biggest memories.
Of course, living with multiple generations isn't the right fit for every family. But for those who value having loved ones nearby, finding a home designed for togetherness — with enough room for a little independence — can create something incredibly special.
Finding a Home for Every Generation
Whether you're searching for a home with an in-law suite, a finished basement, two living areas, a main-level primary suite, extra acreage, or simply enough room to bring everyone together, the right property can make all the difference.
At Weichert, Realtors - House of Brokers, our agents can help you explore homes throughout Mid-Missouri and find a property that fits not just the people in your household today, but the generations that make it feel like home.
This Grandparents Day, we're celebrating the grandparents who make our families stronger, our stories richer, and our homes a little warmer.
Because sometimes the best home isn't about having more space between us — it's about having more space for all of us.
Weichert, Realtors - House of Brokers
📞 573-446-6767
Alana Nyhart
I serve as the Director of Marketing for Weichert, Realtors® – House of Brokers, where I lead our brand strategy, agent marketing, company events, and community engagement efforts. My passio....
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Heart Of Missouri Board Of REALTORS® All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
