Multi-Generational Living: Why Dual Suites and Guest Houses Are Ohio's Hottest New Feature

By Amy Warren, Ohio REALTOR®

One of the most consistent requests I am getting from buyers this year has nothing to do with granite countertops or a three-car garage. It is a second full suite, a private entrance for a parent, or a floor plan that lets grown kids and their parents share a roof without sharing a bathroom. Multi-generational living has moved from a niche request into one of the defining trends in real estate, and it is showing up all over Central Ohio. Here is what is driving it and what to actually look for if you are considering it.

The Numbers Behind the Trend

This is not a small shift. Nationally, close to one in five homes purchased now involve more than one generation of the same family living together, whether that is adult children buying with parents, grandparents moving in with their kids, or extended family pooling resources for a single purchase. More than a third of those buyers say cost savings is the main reason, roughly double the share who said the same a decade ago. Builders have responded accordingly, and somewhere between a quarter and a third of newly constructed homes now include some version of a multi-generational feature, whether that is a main-floor bedroom, a private suite, or a full secondary living area.

What Dual Primary Suites Actually Look Like

The feature getting the most attention right now is the dual primary suite, which is exactly what it sounds like: two full master bedrooms within the same home, each with its own bathroom and closet, and sometimes its own private entrance. This is different from a traditional guest room or a second bedroom down the hall. A dual primary layout is built to function as two independent living quarters under one roof, which is what makes it work for a parent, an adult child, or even two adult siblings who want to combine resources without sacrificing their own space.

In-law suites have evolved the same way. What used to mean a guest room with an attached bath now more often means a genuine apartment within the home, complete with a private entrance, a kitchenette, its own living area, and sometimes dedicated laundry. Builders like Lennar have leaned into this with their NextGen line, which is built move-in ready for exactly this kind of arrangement.

Why Families Are Choosing This Now

Cost is the biggest driver, and it is not hard to see why. Combining two incomes, or two households' worth of equity, to buy one larger home is often more attainable than each household buying or renting separately, especially in a market where prices have climbed steadily for several years. But it is not only about affordability. A lot of the families I work with are thinking ahead about caring for aging parents, wanting reliable childcare help built into daily life, or simply choosing to stay close as adult kids start careers and families of their own. Multi-generational living lets a family solve several of those problems with one purchase instead of three.

What This Looks Like in Central Ohio

Multi-generational and NextGen-style floor plans have picked up quickly across Central Ohio new construction, particularly in suburbs like Lewis Center and Gahanna, where several builders now offer move-in ready layouts built specifically for this purpose. If new construction is on your radar, my New Construction Homes in Ohio: A Buyer's Guide covers what to expect from the process and where these builders are active.

Buyers who prefer an established neighborhood are not out of luck either. A lot of older Ohio housing stock, especially homes with finished basements, above-garage space, or additions from a prior owner, can be adapted into a workable multi-generational setup, often at a lower price point than buying new construction with the feature already built in. It takes a slightly more creative search, but the inventory is out there if you know what to look for.

What to Look for When You Tour

If a multi-generational setup is part of your plan, the features worth prioritizing are the ones that protect everyone's independence. A private entrance separate from the main door matters more than almost anything else, since it lets both households come and go without walking through shared living space. A full bathroom attached to the secondary suite is close behind, along with a kitchenette so the second household is not entirely dependent on the main kitchen. If mobility is a factor for anyone in the family, a main-floor bedroom option is worth prioritizing over a similar layout upstairs. And practically speaking, enough physical separation, whether that is a separate wing, a different floor, or a detached structure, tends to be what determines whether the arrangement actually works long term or becomes a source of friction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a multi-generational home?

A multi-generational home is a house designed or adapted so more than one generation of a family can live together while keeping a degree of privacy and independence. This can mean a dedicated in-law suite with its own entrance and kitchenette, a dual primary suite with two full master bedrooms, a finished basement or above-garage apartment, or a floor plan with a main-floor bedroom and full bath. Builders increasingly market these as NextGen or multigenerational floor plans, though older Ohio housing stock can often be adapted to serve the same purpose.

Why are more families choosing multi-generational living?

Cost is the leading driver. More than a third of multi-generational buyers now cite cost savings as their primary reason, roughly double the share from a decade ago, since combining resources helps families afford more home than any one household could alone. Many families are also prioritizing caregiving for aging parents, wanting built-in childcare support, or preferring to stay close as adult children launch into their own lives. Nationally, close to one in five home purchases now involve more than one generation.

What features should I look for in a multi-generational home?

Prioritize features that preserve independence within a shared home: a private entrance separate from the main door, a full bathroom attached to any secondary suite, a kitchenette so the secondary space is not fully dependent on the main kitchen, main-floor bedroom options for anyone with mobility concerns, and enough physical separation, whether a separate wing, floor, or attached space, for both households to have quiet time apart. Dual primary suites, two full master-level bedrooms in one home, are one of the most requested layouts for this reason.

Are multi-generational homes available in Columbus and Central Ohio?

Yes. Multi-generational and NextGen-style floor plans have become increasingly common in new construction across Central Ohio, including suburbs like Lewis Center and Gahanna, with builders such as Lennar offering move-in ready NextGen layouts. Buyers who prefer established neighborhoods can also find older homes with finished basements, above-garage apartments, or additions built or converted for shared living, often at a lower price point than new construction.

Does a multi-generational home cost more to buy?

It depends on the property. New construction homes with dedicated NextGen suites or dual primary layouts typically carry a premium over a standard floor plan of the same square footage, since builders add a second set of plumbing, a private entrance, and extra finished square footage. That said, families who buy together often come out ahead overall, since combining incomes to purchase one home is frequently more affordable than buying or renting separately. Older homes adapted for multi-generational living, like those with a finished basement apartment, can be a more budget-friendly path to the same outcome.

Thinking About a Multi-Generational Move?

Whether you are looking at new construction built for shared living or an established home you can adapt, I can help you figure out which approach fits your family and your budget. My free Buyer's Guide is a good starting point, and I would love to talk through what your family actually needs. Reach out at [email protected]

Amy Warren is a licensed Ohio REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers across Plain City, Dublin, Powell, and Central Ohio. She started her real estate career in 2016 as a Transaction Coordinator in Denver, where she helped close over 650 transactions before relocating to Central Ohio in 2022 and earning her Ohio license in 2025. Visit amywarrenohiorealtor.com.

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