I recently wrapped up an insightful Zoom call with AREAA (Asian Real Estate Association of America) National and Fannie Mae on multigenerational homes making a strong return in today’s housing market. For many of us who grew up in immigrant families, this style of living was the norm. We shared homes with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, creating tight-knit family environments under one roof. Back then, living together like this was often viewed negatively, with the assumption that only families with limited means needed to do so. As families accumulated more wealth, the natural step was for everyone to move into their own homes.
But today, the landscape has shifted. The events of the past few years—such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing housing crisis—are driving more families back into multigenerational living arrangements. And this time, it’s not seen as a fallback but as a practical and even beneficial solution to many of today’s challenges. Family bonding, shared meals, reduced expenses, help with childcare, and help with elder care are just a few of the advantages.
However, there’s a significant hurdle: many of today’s homes are simply not designed for larger, multigenerational families. Older homes tend to be smaller, outdated, and not equipped to comfortably accommodate multigenerational family living. On top of that, housing affordability remains a pressing issue. So, how can families looking for larger homes navigate this tricky market and find a home that meets their needs?
That’s where Fannie Mae’s Homestyle Renovation program comes in. This program offers homebuyers the chance to purchase a home and then make the necessary renovations to turn it into the ideal multigenerational living space. Home buyers can finance the cost of renovations into their purchase loan. In fact, this program can be used on existing homes that a home owner already owns as well.
One of the most exciting features of this loan program is that it allows you to build an unattached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the property. This is a game-changer for families because it gives the flexibility of multigenerational living without sacrificing privacy. Whether it’s adult children moving back home with their parents or elderly parents moving in with their adult kids to be closer to grand children and or allowing grand parents to age in place. This solution helps create separate yet connected living spaces. Even manufactured homes are now allowed under the program, expanding options for larger families.
For those who are navigating the challenges of the current housing market, this program provides a unique opportunity to not only afford a home but to live well together as an extended family. If you’re interested in exploring how the Homestyle Renovation program can work for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Let’s talk about how you can make multigenerational living a reality for your family!
Feel free to contact me with any questions or for more details on how this program could work for you. Together, we can find the right solution for your family’s housing needs.