New Survey: Nearly 3-in-10 Would-Be Buyers Prioritize Multigenerational Living

The dream of homeownership has always been about more than just four walls and a roof. But a growing share of buyers are reimagining that dream to include aging parents, adult children and extended family.

Nearly 3-in-10 prospective buyers (28%) say they plan to purchase a home that can accommodate multiple generations of family under one roof, according to a new Veterans United Home Loans survey of 900 prospective homebuyers.

Multigenerational living is becoming more than a temporary solution. It’s a long-term strategy grounded in caregiving, affordability and a desire to keep loved ones close. For those who qualify, VA loans can help make this kind of homeownership more attainable by offering no down payment, competitive rates and fewer financial barriers.

“We’re seeing buyers become increasingly thoughtful about how their home can serve not just themselves, but their broader family members,” said Chris Birk, vice president of mortgage insight at Veterans United. “Multigenerational homes are a meaningful solution for families looking to care for one another while making the most of their homebuying power.”

A Shift in How We Live

For many, the decision to live with parents, adult children or grandparents isn’t just practical – it’s often deeply personal. About 29% of survey respondents said they’re planning to move aging parents into their home to provide care and support. Another 32% pointed to adult children who can’t afford to live on their own.

And in a time when affordability is a real challenge for many, 28% said extended family members can help offset household costs.

We’re also seeing more grandparents playing a financial role.

More than a quarter of respondents (27%) said older relatives are helping cover housing costs to live in a specific area or spend part of the year together. In some cases, grandparents are contributing even though they’ll only be in the home part-time (23%).

The Rise of Multigenerational Living

About 1-in-5 homebuyers (17%) in 2024 opted for multigenerational homes to care for aging relatives, accommodate adult children or reduce costs, according to the most recent National Association of Realtors’ Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

NAR’s research found the top three motivations were cost savings (36%), caring for aging parents (25%) and helping adult children return home (21%). Our findings mirror that and point to a rising wave of homebuyers making similar decisions.

In our survey, 30% of respondents said they’ve always lived with family in some form. And for a third of buyers, multigenerational living offers built-in childcare support.

Who’s Leading the Way?

Multigenerational living spans generations, but some groups are more likely to lean in.

Generation X is leading the charge. More than 1-in-3 (36%) Gen X buyers plan to buy a multigenerational home, followed by 28% of Millennials. Gen X and Baby Boomers are more likely to have adult children at home (18% and 13%, respectively), while Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to be moving in with parents (15% and 11%).

For Gen Z, cost is a major driver – 44% say financial support is the main reason they plan to live with family. Younger buyers are also more open to flexible arrangements, with 29% of Gen Z and 31% of Millennials saying their family members will live with them part time.

Methodology

Data and research firm Sparketing conducts a quarterly online survey of Veterans, service members and civilians on behalf of Veterans United. The survey of more than 900 respondents was conducted from March 3-17, 2025.