A relatively new trend that I am seeing is this idea of a home within a home, multigenerational living. Given the economic downturn and increased mortgage rates, this trend seems to help homeowners lower the cost of their mortgage and lower living expenses. You can double up your home to lease it out, co-own it, have it for long term guests or whatever the case may be. An example of this is Lennar's most recent project, NEXTGEN. As the website states, NEXTGEN homes have "a complete suite with bedroom, eat-in kitchenette and living room. It can be integrated into a home’s living space or kept as a private residence." As home owners continually want flexible living to do as they please, these homes enable them to have grandparents live with them or aunts and uncles. I think as time goes on and baby boomers get older we are going to see an increased demand for this.
Video about Multigenerational homes: http://realestate.msn.com/video/video.aspx?videoID=51f6683a-4ec1-4d15-8461-7c0487178898&from=msnrealestate_ss
Source:
1. http://lennarnextgen.com
2. http://realestate.msn.com/8-new-home-trends-for-2012#5