Owning a house is one of the most significant and impressive achievements for anyone in any generation. All the same, our parents and grandparents often find the task of maintaining their beloved homes more difficult as they age. Meanwhile, many in the younger generations are struggling with the high cost of living and rising housing prices.

Many people are exploring the option of combining households. This path offers numerous benefits and a few considerations. In this post, we will discuss the ins and outs of sharing a roof with adult family members.

Sharing In The Joys And Challenges

When you consider the cost of buying and maintaining a house, sharing those expenses becomes more alluring than ever. The mortgage, the utility bills, the property taxes, the cost of repairs and maintenance all add up and can become unsustainable for a single family. Put multiple households together, and the burden becomes much lighter for everyone.

The benefits of multiple families living together don’t just end with the financial aspects. There is much to be said for always having someone to talk to, even if it’s a quick “hello” before heading off to work or school. In an age where there is an epidemic of loneliness, just having someone around can be comforting.

When you can share the space harmoniously, the work, effort, and time spent taking care of the property are also minimized. When everyone does their part, no one has to feel overburdened with a never-ending “to-do” list. As the saying goes, “many hands make light work.”

---

Combining family homes can be a fantastic option, but it isn’t always for everyone. You can find more traditional downsizing advice in the posts below:

• What All Downsizers Need to Know About Buying and Selling in Ottawa
• Is It Better to Rent as a Senior in Ottawa?
• What Is the Art of Letting Go? How to Declutter Your Home At Last

---

The Complications Of Multiple Households

Sharing the costs and the work involved in owning a home sounds appealing, but is it? It is a dream come true when everyone in the house lives together in harmony. But we are all human, and conflicts can and do arise.

Before agreeing to share a home and all of the responsibilities that go along with it, you want to ensure that all parties are compatible. Even if everyone enters into the agreement in good faith, there can be personality clashes and disagreements, and you will want to have a plan in place to deal with them constructively.

After much thought and careful consideration, you may decide that combining households is not the right decision after all. The time to reach this realization is before you move in together, not after!

Close relationships with family members are precious, and if moving in together will jeopardize that, then it is best to continue seeking an alternate solution. If each of you firmly believes that you can make it work, then it’s still best to proceed with a well-thought-out plan. 

Planning For Success

Before deciding on a living solution, it will help to first analyze the budget – what resources will be required. Start by making a list of exactly how much the house will cost each month and what everyone will contribute.

Next, make a list of what tasks will need to be done on a regular basis to maintain the property. For example, the lawn may need to be mowed every week during the rainy season, but clearing out the snow will only be needed sporadically. Divide up each task in a way that fits each person’s personality and preferences in a way that feels fair to everyone.

An honest discussion about what lifestyle each person in the home prefers is also necessary. Imagine a situation where one person works shifts and wants quiet time between the hours of 11:00 and 7:00, and the other wants to practice the trombone during that same time. In this case, you may be setting yourself up for failure.

In addition, if you prefer quiet time upon getting home from work rather than a discussion of your day, you may event want to work out some parameters in advance. The more you know and respect what everyone else in the house wants and needs, the more likely you are to live happily together.

Types Of Scenarios

There can be many scenarios where households combine. These go far beyond the traditional matrimonial situations, and could be friends buying a house together, siblings moving back into the family home, or parents setting up an in-law suite in their adult child’s house. Let’s take a look at the most common types of arrangements in a little more detail.

Moving Into An Existing Home

If one party has a home that is much bigger than what they currently need, having others move in can be the most straightforward path. Once again, there are nuances to be aware of and precautions to take.

This may look like one large family living together where each person has their own bedroom, and everyone shares the rest of the space.

This may be the fastest and least expensvie way to combine households. It could also lend itself to the most conflict and the least amount of privacy. It can work if the relationships are close enough.

However, a few updates to the home can allow for a more enjoyable experience for everyone. For example, a finished basement with a separate bathroom can help maintain the peace, even if multiple households share a kitchen and the backyard.

Buying A New Home Together

Sometimes, it’s better to start from scratch. In this case, both households will search for an ideal home that is conducive to living together. Each party will sell their existing home if they have one and pool their resources to buy either a larger property or possibly one with separate residential units.

This can be a more expensive option than joining in an existing house, but it does allow for much more privacy, making it easier to avoid unnecessary arguments and may best suit the needs of all parties.

No matter how much we love our family members, sometimes we just want our own space. This option delivers the best of both worlds: You have company when you want it and peace and quiet when you need it.

---

Do you want to know more about the benefits of living in Ottawa? Here are some related posts you’re sure to enjoy:

• Ottawa: More Than Meets the Eye
• The Best Ottawa Neighbourhoods for Commuters
• What are the Best Ottawa Neighbourhoods for Retirees?

---

Building An In-Law Suite

What happens if the house is large enough to accommodate multiple families but you still want the advantage of a separate living space? One of the most common solutions is to renovate an existing home into two or more separate residential units. This can take several forms.

The basement can be converted into a completely separate apartment.

An upper level or attic could also be turned into a secondary suite, complete with a separate entrance, bathroom, and kitchen.

If the lot is large enough, you could even build a completely separate garden suite onto the property. This option is quickly becoming popular since it allows you to stay close while still having absolute privacy and better noise control.

Depending on the size of the property, you might evven decide to build both a secondary in-law apartment and a detached garden suite to create multiple units in the same residential house.

The more families that can live together peacefully and happily, the more you can share expenses and the workload, and everyone will enjoy the lightest burden. Before renovating your property, you will want to take a look to see what the requirements are for a legal secondary suite. In addition, be sure that you have all the required permits before undergoing any significant renovations. 

Though living in close quarters with your family members has its share of challenges, the benefits often outweigh the downfalls. This can be a creative solution to help manage some of life’s toughest challenges – like buying a home in the current market, especially if adult children are challenged to save for a home of their own. Alternatively, it may make it easier to care for elderly or disabled family members who may need a little extra help or to enable our able bodied adult family members to maintain a residence that they intend to stay at only “part-time” – especially those who are actively retired.

Combining households can be a delicate process, but our Ottawa real estate agents are here to help every step of the way. Reach out to mail@chellteam.com or call 613.829.7484 with any questions you may have.