What do dads need? It turns out, they need some space—and not just on Father’s Day, but all year round.

While homes tend to be used for practical reasons, they also meet emotional needs. Studies have found that one’s home environment correlates to an individual’s overall sense of well-being. People destress when they can settle into a space that is their own for a period of time each day. This type of social withdrawal to a place filled with things of personal significance is seen as a healthy coping mechanism. For husbands, and dads in particular, that place tends to be a man cave.

More than an Excuse for a Kegerator

At its core, a man cave isn’t as much an indulgence as it is an investment in Dad’s health. The key, however, is that the man cave be a personal expression of its dweller. It doesn’t matter if it’s part of the garage that has been converted into a workshop, the traditional finished basement with a wet bar and entertainment system, or an outdoor barbeque station with a hammock and weatherproof sound system. The space will be worthwhile if it reflects the man and he finds it relaxing.

The necessary investment can vary widely. It depends on whether a room needs to be renovated or added to the home or if it just requires better lighting, some shelves, and a comfortable chair.

Appealing to Buyers

While it’s hard to put a price on Dad’s health, it may help to know that potential homebuyers do see man caves as appealing. Potential buyers tend to respond well to things that help them see themselves occupying the space. Just as a basketball hoop or swing set helps children imagine living there, having a spot already designated for down time can help a husband or dad bond with a property.

The caveat to this is that it helps if the space is adaptable to future users’ interests. While team loyalties may be an obvious color scheme, when it comes time to sell, Real Estate Agents recommend treating those loyalties similar to personal photos. They should be removed before marketing the home to avoid distracting a fan with different loyalties from appreciating the merits of the room.

Once the man cave is established and the kids are settled into their spaces, it may be time to get to work on a “she shed.” After all, moms need their quiet zones, too.

The multigenerational household was a fairly common occurrence until the 1950s, when it gave up ground to the lure of the suburban development and the rise of the nuclear family. Times have changed, and with them a greater appreciation for multigenerational living.

Today, nearly one in five Americans, or about 60.6 million, lives in a multigenerational household, according to the Pew Research Center. For its purposes, the research group defines multigenerational as two or more adult generations sharing a home. On a percentage basis, this is about the same as in 1950 and well above the 12 percent figure reached in 1980. In terms of people, however, the number of individuals involved has almost doubled.

Why Families Are Sticking Together

Pew credits the influence of Hispanic and Asian populations on society, in addition to the more practical needs of the “sandwich generation,” for the shift. While technically these individuals can be any age, members of this group tend to be sandwiched between adult children still living at—or returning—home and elderly parents who prefer to age in place but need assistance. While the trend toward togetherness accelerated with the Great Recession, it was already on the rise. According to Pew, multigenerational living is a choice that is expanding among all U.S. racial and age groups.

Even families that aren’t multigenerational are showing an interest in homes that accommodate the needs of an extended family. For them, it may be about gaining the flexibility and space to be able to meet future needs. There is also the opportunity to create a source of rental income, as more private homeowners turn into occasional landlords or one-room hotels thanks to online booking sites.

Recognizing the Multigenerational Home

As an emerging trend, the shift back to multigenerational living appears to have some staying power. A recent consumer insights survey indicates that more than 40 percent of new homebuyers would like to be able to accommodate their elderly parents—nearly the same percent who want to be able to accommodate adult children.

National home builders are now designing homes specifically to meet the needs of multigenerational buyers. They are commonly asking for the flexibility to accommodate separate living quarters and common areas under one roof. This includes first-floor master suites with small sitting areas, kitchenettes, and separate entrances. Multigenerational buyers also tend to favor open floor plans, wide doorways, hallways, bathrooms, and pocket doors to accommodate room reconfigurations.

3 Tips for Meeting the Needs of Multigenerational Buyers

Although the nuclear family isn’t quite as dominate as it once was, the houses built to serve it are. That makes locating appropriate homes for these buyers a little more challenging. It also means adapting your search methods to this niche’s needs.

Here are three tips for working with clients with multigenerational needs

1. Thinking “multi” is key to understanding how to work with these buyers. It requires you to understand the needs of each household member, not just those of the buyer.

2. Knowing how the local housing code treats renovations or accommodations for separate entrances, multiple kitchen facilities, and rental agreements becomes essential. Many local ordinances are on the books that prevent “in-law” apartments from being carved out of single-family homes. More recently, ordinances are being passed to prohibit short-term rentals, which may impact your buyer’s plans.

3. Understanding the cost advantages is also crucial. Larger properties may seem more expensive at first, but when the costs can be broken down over two or three households, they may make more sense. There are now mortgages that accommodate both multigenerational buying and renovating homes to accommodate older household members.

The preference for being at home with family represents a great opportunity to meet housing needs that are a little out of sync with the traditional housing stock. Knowing where to find what multigenerational buyers are looking for could lead to a comfortable spot in a growing niche.

The multigenerational household was a fairly common occurrence until the 1950s, when it gave up ground to the lure of the suburban development and the rise of the nuclear family. Times have changed, and with them a greater appreciation for multigenerational living.

Today, nearly one in five Americans, or about 60.6 million, lives in a multigenerational household, according to the Pew Research Center. For its purposes, the research group defines multigenerational as two or more adult generations sharing a home. On a percentage basis, this is about the same as in 1950 and well above the 12 percent figure reached in 1980. In terms of people, however, the number of individuals involved has almost doubled.

Why Families Are Sticking Together

Pew credits the influence of Hispanic and Asian populations on society, in addition to the more practical needs of the “sandwich generation,” for the shift. While technically these individuals can be any age, members of this group tend to be sandwiched between adult children still living at—or returning—home and elderly parents who prefer to age in place but need assistance. While the trend toward togetherness accelerated with the Great Recession, it was already on the rise. According to Pew, multigenerational living is a choice that is expanding among all U.S. racial and age groups.

Even families that aren’t multigenerational are showing an interest in homes that accommodate the needs of an extended family. For them, it may be about gaining the flexibility and space to be able to meet future needs. There is also the opportunity to create a source of rental income, as more private homeowners turn into occasional landlords or one-room hotels thanks to online booking sites.

Recognizing the Multigenerational Home

As an emerging trend, the shift back to multigenerational living appears to have some staying power. A recent consumer insights survey indicates that more than 40 percent of new homebuyers would like to be able to accommodate their elderly parents—nearly the same percent who want to be able to accommodate adult children.

National home builders are now designing homes specifically to meet the needs of multigenerational buyers. They are commonly asking for the flexibility to accommodate separate living quarters and common areas under one roof. This includes first-floor master suites with small sitting areas, kitchenettes, and separate entrances. Multigenerational buyers also tend to favor open floor plans, wide doorways, hallways, bathrooms, and pocket doors to accommodate room reconfigurations.

3 Tips for Meeting the Needs of Multigenerational Buyers

Although the nuclear family isn’t quite as dominate as it once was, the houses built to serve it are. That makes locating appropriate homes for these buyers a little more challenging. It also means adapting your search methods to this niche’s needs.

Here are three tips for working with clients with multigenerational needs

1. Thinking “multi” is key to understanding how to work with these buyers. It requires you to understand the needs of each household member, not just those of the buyer.

2. Knowing how the local housing code treats renovations or accommodations for separate entrances, multiple kitchen facilities, and rental agreements becomes essential. Many local ordinances are on the books that prevent “in-law” apartments from being carved out of single-family homes. More recently, ordinances are being passed to prohibit short-term rentals, which may impact your buyer’s plans.

3. Understanding the cost advantages is also crucial. Larger properties may seem more expensive at first, but when the costs can be broken down over two or three households, they may make more sense. There are now mortgages that accommodate both multigenerational buying and renovating homes to accommodate older household members.

The preference for being at home with family represents a great opportunity to meet housing needs that are a little out of sync with the traditional housing stock. Knowing where to find what multigenerational buyers are looking for could lead to a comfortable spot in a growing niche.

The multigenerational household was a fairly common occurrence until the 1950s, when it gave up ground to the lure of the suburban development and the rise of the nuclear family. Times have changed, and with them a greater appreciation for multigenerational living.

Today, nearly one in five Americans, or about 60.6 million, lives in a multigenerational household, according to the Pew Research Center. For its purposes, the research group defines multigenerational as two or more adult generations sharing a home. On a percentage basis, this is about the same as in 1950 and well above the 12 percent figure reached in 1980. In terms of people, however, the number of individuals involved has almost doubled.

Why Families Are Sticking Together

Pew credits the influence of Hispanic and Asian populations on society, in addition to the more practical needs of the “sandwich generation,” for the shift. While technically these individuals can be any age, members of this group tend to be sandwiched between adult children still living at—or returning—home and elderly parents who prefer to age in place but need assistance. While the trend toward togetherness accelerated with the Great Recession, it was already on the rise. According to Pew, multigenerational living is a choice that is expanding among all U.S. racial and age groups.

Even families that aren’t multigenerational are showing an interest in homes that accommodate the needs of an extended family. For them, it may be about gaining the flexibility and space to be able to meet future needs. There is also the opportunity to create a source of rental income, as more private homeowners turn into occasional landlords or one-room hotels thanks to online booking sites.

Recognizing the Multigenerational Home

As an emerging trend, the shift back to multigenerational living appears to have some staying power. A recent consumer insights survey indicates that more than 40 percent of new homebuyers would like to be able to accommodate their elderly parents—nearly the same percent who want to be able to accommodate adult children.

National home builders are now designing homes specifically to meet the needs of multigenerational buyers. They are commonly asking for the flexibility to accommodate separate living quarters and common areas under one roof. This includes first-floor master suites with small sitting areas, kitchenettes, and separate entrances. Multigenerational buyers also tend to favor open floor plans, wide doorways, hallways, bathrooms, and pocket doors to accommodate room reconfigurations.

3 Tips for Meeting the Needs of Multigenerational Buyers

Although the nuclear family isn’t quite as dominate as it once was, the houses built to serve it are. That makes locating appropriate homes for these buyers a little more challenging. It also means adapting your search methods to this niche’s needs.

Here are three tips for working with clients with multigenerational needs

1. Thinking “multi” is key to understanding how to work with these buyers. It requires you to understand the needs of each household member, not just those of the buyer.

2. Knowing how the local housing code treats renovations or accommodations for separate entrances, multiple kitchen facilities, and rental agreements becomes essential. Many local ordinances are on the books that prevent “in-law” apartments from being carved out of single-family homes. More recently, ordinances are being passed to prohibit short-term rentals, which may impact your buyer’s plans.

3. Understanding the cost advantages is also crucial. Larger properties may seem more expensive at first, but when the costs can be broken down over two or three households, they may make more sense. There are now mortgages that accommodate both multigenerational buying and renovating homes to accommodate older household members.

The preference for being at home with family represents a great opportunity to meet housing needs that are a little out of sync with the traditional housing stock. Knowing where to find what multigenerational buyers are looking for could lead to a comfortable spot in a growing niche.

The multigenerational household was a fairly common occurrence until the 1950s, when it gave up ground to the lure of the suburban development and the rise of the nuclear family. Times have changed, and with them a greater appreciation for multigenerational living.

Today, nearly one in five Americans, or about 60.6 million, lives in a multigenerational household, according to the Pew Research Center. For its purposes, the research group defines multigenerational as two or more adult generations sharing a home. On a percentage basis, this is about the same as in 1950 and well above the 12 percent figure reached in 1980. In terms of people, however, the number of individuals involved has almost doubled.

Why Families Are Sticking Together

Pew credits the influence of Hispanic and Asian populations on society, in addition to the more practical needs of the “sandwich generation,” for the shift. While technically these individuals can be any age, members of this group tend to be sandwiched between adult children still living at—or returning—home and elderly parents who prefer to age in place but need assistance. While the trend toward togetherness accelerated with the Great Recession, it was already on the rise. According to Pew, multigenerational living is a choice that is expanding among all U.S. racial and age groups.

Even families that aren’t multigenerational are showing an interest in homes that accommodate the needs of an extended family. For them, it may be about gaining the flexibility and space to be able to meet future needs. There is also the opportunity to create a source of rental income, as more private homeowners turn into occasional landlords or one-room hotels thanks to online booking sites.

Recognizing the Multigenerational Home

As an emerging trend, the shift back to multigenerational living appears to have some staying power. A recent consumer insights survey indicates that more than 40 percent of new homebuyers would like to be able to accommodate their elderly parents—nearly the same percent who want to be able to accommodate adult children.

National home builders are now designing homes specifically to meet the needs of multigenerational buyers. They are commonly asking for the flexibility to accommodate separate living quarters and common areas under one roof. This includes first-floor master suites with small sitting areas, kitchenettes, and separate entrances. Multigenerational buyers also tend to favor open floor plans, wide doorways, hallways, bathrooms, and pocket doors to accommodate room reconfigurations.

3 Tips for Meeting the Needs of Multigenerational Buyers

Although the nuclear family isn’t quite as dominate as it once was, the houses built to serve it are. That makes locating appropriate homes for these buyers a little more challenging. It also means adapting your search methods to this niche’s needs.

Here are three tips for working with clients with multigenerational needs

1. Thinking “multi” is key to understanding how to work with these buyers. It requires you to understand the needs of each household member, not just those of the buyer.

2. Knowing how the local housing code treats renovations or accommodations for separate entrances, multiple kitchen facilities, and rental agreements becomes essential. Many local ordinances are on the books that prevent “in-law” apartments from being carved out of single-family homes. More recently, ordinances are being passed to prohibit short-term rentals, which may impact your buyer’s plans.

3. Understanding the cost advantages is also crucial. Larger properties may seem more expensive at first, but when the costs can be broken down over two or three households, they may make more sense. There are now mortgages that accommodate both multigenerational buying and renovating homes to accommodate older household members.

The preference for being at home with family represents a great opportunity to meet housing needs that are a little out of sync with the traditional housing stock. Knowing where to find what multigenerational buyers are looking for could lead to a comfortable spot in a growing niche.