A Buyer's Guide to Multigenerational Living Homes in Pierce County

The American household continues to evolve. Multigenerational living—where multiple generations of one household share a home—is growing rapidly, driven by economic realities and cultural preferences. For those considering this arrangement, finding the right property is essential.

Pierce County offers excellent options for multigenerational households. Whether you're planning to house aging parents, adult children, or extended loved ones, understanding what multigenerational living entails and which properties best support this lifestyle helps you make informed purchasing decisions that serve your household's unique needs.

Understanding Multigenerational Living

What Is Multigenerational Living?

Multigenerational living describes households where multiple generations live together under one roof. 

Why Multigenerational Living Is Growing:

• Economic efficiency: Sharing housing costs, utilities, and household expenses reduces per-person expenses significantly
• Childcare support: Grandparents or other household members provide childcare, reducing costs and creating connection
• Elder care: Keeping aging parents in familiar environments while providing support and supervision
• Savings acceleration: Combined income and reduced expenses accelerate wealth building and financial goals
• Cultural preferences: Many cultures maintain multigenerational household traditions
• Work flexibility: Multiple income earners in one household create scheduling flexibility
• Caregiving continuity: Professional care supplemented by household involvement improves quality of life
• Emotional support: Multigenerational proximity creates stronger bonds

Home Features Supporting Multigenerational Living

Separate Living Quarters:

Properties with separate living spaces allow privacy and independence while maintaining household unity:

• Guest suites or junior suites: Separate bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms provide privacy
• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Detached smaller homes on the same property offer complete separation with independent entrances
• Basement apartments: Finished basements with separate entrances create distinct living spaces
• Above-garage apartments: Converted garage spaces provide accessible, semi-independent living arrangements
• Main house with attached guest homes: Some properties feature separate attached structures providing privacy and independence

Multiple Kitchens:

Separate kitchens reduce conflict and create independence:

• Primary residence kitchen for the main household
• Guest suite kitchenette or full kitchen for secondary residents
• Reduces scheduling conflicts during meal preparation
• Allows dietary preferences and cooking styles to coexist
• Useful when multigenerational households have different routines

Adequate Bathrooms:

Sufficient bathrooms eliminate morning scheduling conflicts:

• Multiple full bathrooms distributed throughout home
• Ensuite bathrooms for primary suites and guest quarters
• Half baths in main living areas
• At least 2 bathrooms per occupied suite

Flexible Space Arrangements:

Homes accommodating various arrangements provide flexibility:

• Open floor plans allowing different configurations
• Flexible bedroom arrangements adaptable to changing needs
• Media rooms that can be converted to bedrooms
• Bonus rooms serving multiple functions
• Finished basements offering additional living area

Accessibility Features:

Especially important when planning for aging loved ones:

• Single-level living or good accessibility on multiple levels
• Wider hallways accommodating walkers or wheelchairs
• Primary bedrooms on main level (not upper stories)
• Walk-in showers with grab bars and no-slip features
• Accessible entry and exits
• Bedrooms accessible without climbing stairs
• Comfortable distances to bathrooms

Privacy and Noise Considerations:

Successful multigenerational living requires thoughtful layouts:

• Distance between living spaces minimizing noise transfer
• Separate entrances reducing traffic flow conflicts
• Sound insulation between suites
• Visual privacy through window placement and landscaping
• Separate heating/cooling zones allowing temperature preferences

Financial Advantages of Multigenerational Homes

Expense Sharing:

Multigenerational living dramatically reduces per-person housing costs:

Example: $800,000 property

• Single household mortgage: $4,200/month
• Three-generation household sharing: $1,400/month per household
• Utilities shared: $300/month per household (vs. $400+ individually)
• Property taxes shared: $3,000/year per household (vs. $4,500+ individually)

Monthly savings per household: $1,300+ Annual savings: $15,600+

Childcare Cost Elimination:

Grandparent or other multigenerational care eliminates professional childcare:

• Professional childcare: $1,200-$2,500/month
• Multigenerational care: $0-$400/month (utilities/food contribution)
• Annual savings: $9,600-$25,200+

Accelerated Wealth Building:

Shared expenses create opportunities for savings and investment:

• Combined income and reduced expenses enable faster debt payoff
• Accelerated home equity building through shared mortgage payments
• Capital available for investments and wealth building
• Reduced financial stress enabling career flexibility

Care Without Professional Costs:

Aging parent care provided by the household reduces need for expensive professional services:

• In-home care providers: $20-$30/hour
• Assisted living facilities: $2,000-$6,000/month
• Memory care facilities: $4,000-$8,000/month
• Multigenerational care: Shared household expenses

Pierce County Zoning and Regulations

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations:

Pierce County has been progressively liberalizing ADU regulations to support housing options:

• Detached ADUs: Typically allowed on residential lots in unincorporated Pierce County
• Attached ADUs: Increasingly allowed in some jurisdictions
• Size limitations: Usually capped at 800-1,200 square feet
• Lot size requirements: Minimum lot sizes typically required (varies by jurisdiction)
• Owner-occupancy: Some jurisdictions require owner to occupy primary residence
• Parking requirements: May require additional parking for ADU

Research Your Specific Jurisdiction:

Zoning regulations vary significantly between Bonney Lake, Lake Tapps, Sumner, and unincorporated Pierce County. Before purchasing a property with ADU potential, research specific local regulations:

• Contact the city/county planning department
• Review zoning code for your specific property
• Understand permitted uses and restrictions
• Verify lot size compliance
• Clarify parking and setback requirements
• Confirm owner-occupancy requirements

Variance Opportunities:

Properties not meeting current ADU standards may be eligible for variances or special permits. Work with real estate professionals and planning consultants to understand modification potential.

Design Considerations for Multigenerational Homes

Main Level Primary Bedroom:

For aging parents or limited mobility, locating the primary suite on the main level eliminates stair challenges:

• Ground-level accessibility
• Easy access to bathrooms and kitchen
• Reduced fall risk from stairs
• Natural aging-in-place positioning

Secondary Suite Convenience:

Guest suites benefit from convenient locations:

• Proximity to main living areas (not isolated)
• Access to outdoor spaces
• Close to bathrooms
• Sound-dampened from primary household areas
• Entrance allowing some independence

Open Kitchen/Dining/Living:

Main areas benefit from open floor plans:

• Facilitates interaction
• Creates gathering spaces
• Improves supervision of children
• Allows work-from-home visibility
• Creates sense of spacious living despite shared housing

Separate Entrances:

Multiple entry points support independence:

• Reduces traffic flow conflicts
• Allows varied arrival/departure times
• Creates sense of separate spaces
• Improves privacy perception
• Useful when some residents work different schedules

Outdoor Entertaining Spaces:

Multiple outdoor areas accommodate different preferences:

• Large deck for communal gatherings
• Intimate patio area near secondary suite
• Defined yards reducing shared space conflicts

Finding Multigenerational Living Homes in Pierce County

Property Search Strategies:

• Search for homes with "guest suite," "in-law suite," or "secondary residence"
• Look for properties with finished basements and separate entrances
• Identify homes with accessory dwelling units or ADU potential
• Seek properties on larger lots accommodating future ADUs
• Consider homes with separate kitchens and bathrooms

Asking Critical Questions:

• Does the property have or support a separate living space?
• How much privacy does the secondary space provide?
• What is the condition of secondary kitchen/bathroom facilities?
• Are separate entrances present and functional?
• What utilities serve each space?
• Are there any ADU restrictions preventing future expansion?
• How is heating/cooling organized between spaces?
• What is the noise insulation between spaces?

Renovation Potential:

If a property doesn't currently have ideal multigenerational features, consider:

• Converting basements to ADUs with separate entrances
• Finishing bonus rooms as guest suites
• Adding half baths in convenient locations
• Reconfiguring spaces to create separate kitchen access
• Renovating existing guest spaces

Working with Specialists:

Real estate agents experienced with multigenerational living understand:

• Property types supporting this lifestyle
• Zoning regulations enabling ADUs or guest suites
• Renovation potential and costs
• Financing considerations for larger properties
• Market positioning and value implications

Financing Multigenerational Homes

Larger Purchase Price:

Multigenerational homes often cost more than single-family residences:

• Require larger properties or upgraded homes
• May exceed your typical home budget
• Justify premium pricing through cost-sharing potential

Income Qualification Benefits:

Some lenders allow income from ADU rentals when qualifying:

• ADU rental income can be counted toward mortgage qualification
• Combined household income strengthens qualification
• Allows buyers to qualify for larger mortgages

Assumable Loan Advantages:

Larger properties sometimes carry assumable VA, FHA, or USDA loans.

Long-Term Value Considerations

Appreciation Potential:

Properties with multigenerational appeal appreciate steadily. Growing interest in this lifestyle supports demand and value retention.

Marketability:

While multigenerational living is growing, not all buyers want this arrangement. Properties with optional secondary suites appeal to broader markets than properties requiring multigenerational use.

Flexibility:

The best multigenerational properties offer flexibility—they work for multigenerational households but also appeal to others who want guest suites, home offices, or rental income potential.

Making Your Decision

Critical Questions:

• How long do you plan to use the multigenerational arrangement?
• Which communal members will occupy separate spaces?
• If purchasing the property with multiple parties, consider a partnership agreement. 
• What are essential features for your arrangement?
• How will cost-sharing be handled?
• What happens if circumstances change?
• Can the property adapt to different arrangements?

Finding Your Perfect Multigenerational Home

Multigenerational living offers genuine benefits—financial, emotional, and practical. The key is finding a property supporting your specific arrangement while maintaining the privacy and independence each generation requires.

Pierce County offers excellent options for multigenerational households. Properties in Bonney Lake, Lake Tapps, and throughout Pierce County provide the space, privacy, and amenities supporting this growing lifestyle choice.

Ready to find your multigenerational home in Pierce County? Contact Kimber Lee Real Estate to discuss your specific multigenerational living goals. Our team understands the unique requirements of multi-generational households and specializes in identifying properties that support these arrangements. We'll help you find a home that brings your household together while honoring each generation's need for privacy and independence.

Discover your perfect multigenerational home today.

Meet Our Team

Kimber Lee: 253.921.1551 | [email protected]

Bryce Lee: 253.318.2234 | [email protected]