Why Gen X Buyers Are Snapping Up Multigenerational Homes — And What That Means for You

More and more Gen X homebuyers — folks born between 1965 and 1979 (that's me!) — are saying goodbye to the empty nest dream and saying hello to multigenerational living. It’s a growing trend in today’s real estate market, especially among families who want their homes to do more than just offer a roof over their heads.

Take Leslie Roark Scott, for example. She and her husband live in Yazoo, Mississippi, but recently made a move many families are now considering: they bought a multigenerational home in New Orleans. Their new house includes three apartment-style units, designed to give everyone their own space while keeping the family together under one roof.

Leslie put it simply: “What I needed was a place where my kids could thrive, where we could all be safe and together — and where they could still be themselves.”

This isn’t just a heartwarming story — it’s part of a larger shift in the real estate landscape. According to the National Association of Realtors, 17% of recent buyers purchased multigenerational homes, and Gen Xers led the pack with 21% of them choosing this route. In 2024, our team saw 5-10 percent of our transactions that may have been driven by this same idea.

Why the Shift Toward Multigenerational Homes?

There are a few driving factors behind this trend:

✅ Affordability challenges for adult children
With housing prices rising nearly 50% since 2020, “how much house can I afford?” has become a serious concern for younger buyers. Many families are turning to multigenerational living as a practical solution — helping their kids get a solid footing while also building equity together.

✅ Caring for aging parents
As parents grow older, some families are choosing to bring them under the same roof instead of moving them into assisted living. A multigenerational home can provide comfort, savings, and peace of mind.

✅ Flexible housing for a new generation of needs
From culinary school internships to remote work lifestyles, today’s families need homes that flex with life’s changes — and many of the homes for sale just weren’t designed with that in mind.

Helping the Next Generation — and the Previous One

Leslie’s 21-year-old son will soon be finishing culinary school and interning in New Orleans. He and his girlfriend will have their own space in the family’s new house — and a plan to stay after graduation. Her younger son, just 15, already jokes, “In this economy? I’m going to be with you forever.”

While that might be said in jest, it reflects a reality many families are facing as they ask themselves questions like:

• How much home can we afford?

• How much house could I afford with my parents’ help — or my adult kids chipping in?

• Would we be better off buying a property together instead of renting separately?

These aren’t just personal decisions — they’re reshaping how people shop. Pro-tip: searchign houses for sale, homes to buy near me, or even mobile homes for sale near me might not be the best approach to finding these properties. Having a trusted real estate agent as a partner in this journey may be key to having a good outcome.

Gen X Leads, But Boomers Are Still Buying Big

Interestingly, Baby Boomers still make up the largest share of homebuyers, recently surpassing Millennials. Boomers also tend to buy with cash, while younger buyers rely heavily on financing — and often need help from family to get it done.

Older Millennial buyers are putting more money down, buying newer homes, and using the equity from past sales to move up. Meanwhile, younger Millennials are still facing affordability challenges and often ask, how much house payment can I afford or how much mortgage afford?

Whether you’re looking at land for sale or homes for sale that could accommodate your whole crew, multigenerational housing is something worth considering.

Looking for properties that can keep your loved ones close — but still give everyone their space? Let’s find a home that fits your future.