Home Buying

Gen X: Key features you should prioritize for your next home

One of the most important considerations for someone looking to live out the rest of their lives in their property is single-floor living.

By Madeline Bilis, The Boston Globe

November 13, 2024

4 minutes to read

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Different sets of home buyers have different sets of priorities. Young first-timers, for example, may prioritize plenty of bedrooms plus a home office — not thinking about whether there’s a full bathroom on the first level or whether a wheelchair could enter through the front door. But for Gen X — those born between 1965 and 1980 — the list of considerations differs as they look toward the future.

Right now, many Gen Xers are part of the “sandwich generation,” the group with adult children who also are responsible for taking care of their aging parents. So for those considering moving out of the homes where they raised their children, there are some key boxes to check to make living in their next house easiest for everyone.

Ahead, real estate professionals and aging-in-place experts reveal what Generation X should look for while shopping for their forever homes.

Keep it on one floor

One of the most important considerations for someone looking to live out the rest of their lives in their home — or for those inviting an aging family member to live with them— is single-floor living. Mobility is top of mind when aging in place, and stairs can pose an unwelcome challenge. Buying or owning a home without stairs is certainly convenient, but not always possible, said Bonnie Lai, a realtor and associate broker with RE/Max Real Estate Center in Brookline.

“Even if you’re looking at a Colonial, you’ll want to make sure there’s a full bathroom and bedroom on the first floor,” Lai said. This way, you’ll still have everything you need on a single level.

Big bathrooms

Brian Harvey, owner of Harvey Home Modifications in Natick, helps Boston-area seniors turn their existing living quarters into retirement-friendly homes.

“In most of our remodeling, we use a design technique called Universal Design,” Harvey said. “That essentially is a design that will serve anyone of any physical capability in the house.”

It can be helpful to look for things you won’t need to renovate when moving into a new house. In the bathroom, Harvey said, make sure the doorway is at least 32 inches wide and the square footage allows for a 60-inch wheelchair-turning diameter within the room.

Harvey also recommended features like curbless showers in so they’re easy for people of all abilities to enter. If the home you’re hoping to buy doesn’t have the accessibility you’re looking for, you’ll want to check with a contractor to see what kind of renovations are possible.

Straight in from the garage

Picture this: It’s a frigid February night, and freezing rain has turned your driveway into a sheet of ice. Young homeowners may be able to make their way inside slowly and carefully without slipping, but it won’t be quite as easy for a 65-year-old.

“Direct-entry garage access is huge,” said Shereen Berlin, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Wellesley, whether it benefits the homeowners or their aging parents.

A lot of space for an ADU

If you’re in your mid-40s — on the younger end of Generation X — you may not be prioritizing aging-in-place features just yet. But it’s worth it to upgrade to a home that will allow you — and your family — to grow with it. One way many people are creating multigenerational homes is through accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. These are often freestanding structures built in backyards that serve as in-law apartments, though they’re not limited to just in-laws. They’re a fitting place for your child to get their bearings after graduating college or a spot for your parents to live (very) close by.

“If you have a big enough lot, or if it fits within the local zoning codes, you can potentially build an additional dwelling unit,” Lai said. “If people want to have their kids live with them, this gives them a separate area to have independence but still help each other. So we’re definitely seeing a lot more multigenerational homes with this, and they’re more desirable than before.”

With that in mind, you can search for a home that has a large enough lot to build an ADU and focus on towns that already have ADU-friendly building codes.

Splitting the difference

Harvey also points to a not-so-trendy style of home that works especially well for multigenerational living: split-levels.

“Split-level houses are abundant where we live. And they’re great because it’s essentially two houses: two ranch homes stacked on top of each other,” he said. “The lower level can be made accessible and self-sufficient very quickly.”

They’re even more attractive now because of the Affordable Housing Act that Governor Maura Healey signed into law in August, which allows the construction of ADUs across Massachusetts. This applies to split-levels, too, as the lower floor can be converted into an accessory dwelling unit. “People will be able to add full kitchens within those spaces,” Harvey said.

Wide-open spaces

Open floor plans are a popular layout in updated homes. They’re also beneficial for folks aging in place, Harvey said.

“For a lot of seniors, open floor plans are great because one of the ideas of Universal Design is perceptible information. If you can see your living room, kitchen, and bathroom all from one area, seniors tend to be a lot less disoriented when they have an open floor plan and can see those things,” he said. “There’s also quite a bit of lighting advantage with light fixtures serving more than one room.” Bonus points for being able to make your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night without stopping at every light switch.

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