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At Family Home Plans, we have many house plans with in-law suite options. Different types to consider include:
With our variety of home plans, you'll be able to find the perfect in-law suite option.
As you search for the right home plan with an in-law suite, here are some things to think about:
When you work with us, you'll discover why we are a leading home plan supplier. Here are just some of the things we offer our customers:
Check out our selection of house plans with in-law suites today to get started on finding your dream home design.
Multi-generational living is on the rise. As of 2016, 20% of households had two or more adult generations living under the same roof. The number of multi-generational households has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, from 25.8 million in 1970 to 64 million in 2016.
One way to live peacefully with your parents or your spouse’s parents is to choose a house with an in-law suite. In-law suites come in a variety of sizes and styles. Some are part of the house, while others are detached structures on your property. All have a separate bathroom, and some also have a separate kitchen area. If you are considering house plans with an attached guesthouse or detached mother-in-law suite floor plans, knowing what you need and the benefits of including an in-law suite will help you choose the house plan that works best for you.
What makes an in-law suite different from just another room in a house? In-law suites or guesthouses usually have several characteristics in common. They are part of the house but also distinct from it. The individuals living in the guesthouse or in-law suite are living in your house or on your property. But the design of the area allows them to retain a fair amount of independence.
A few features in-law suites offer include:
Why consider building a house with an in-law suite? Having an additional living space in your home comes with many benefits, even you have no immediate plans to have your in-laws or parents move in.
If your relatives primarily live out-of-town and travel to visit during the holidays, living in a home with an in-law suite or separate guesthouse makes it much easier for you to play holiday host. Your guests will have more privacy and are less likely to feel as if they are intruding on you. An in-law suite can also make it easier for you to host foreign exchange students or other out-of-town visitors.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of an in-law suite is that it allows for multi-generational living without the generations feeling as if they are on top of each other. Multi-generational living can go two ways. If you have an adult child who’s recently graduated from school or had another major life change, they can live in the in-law suite until they are ready to make their next move. You might even consider charging your adult children a small amount of rent to encourage them to be more independent and to prepare them for life on their own.
You can also have your parents or the parents of your spouse move into the in-law suite or guesthouse. If your mother or father recently lost their spouse, they might not want to live on their own but also might not want to move into a retirement or older adult community. Moving into your home would allow them to be closer to their family while retaining some autonomy.
Having your parents or in-laws with you also helps to reduce expenses. Your parents no longer need to pay the mortgage, property taxes and other expenses on their home. They can sell their property and put the money into savings. Living with you is also less expensive than moving into a retirement community.
Having your mother, father or in-laws live in your household gives them a chance to bond with any grandchildren in the house. They get to build a better relationship with the next generation, and you might get to take advantage of free babysitting.
Your kids are still school-aged, and your in-laws or parents show no interest in moving into your home at the moment. Instead of having the in-law suite or guesthouse sit there unused, you can turn it into an income-producing part of your property. You can list the suite or guesthouse on a vacation rental sharing website and let people rent it for a day, a week or even longer. If your guesthouse has a kitchen and separate entrance, you might even be able to rent it as an apartment to a long-term tenant.
How much you can earn by renting the suite or guesthouse depends greatly on your area, how large the suite or guesthouse is and how frequently you rent it out. Also, keep in mind that you’ll need to stay on top of the listing and ensure the suite stays clean between guests.
Even if renting out the property doesn’t appeal to you and it’ll be a while before any of your family members will be interested in living in the suite, there are still benefits to having a separate, additional living space in your house or on your property. An in-law suite gives you flexibility.
You can use the area as a work-from-home space, setting up a home office in what would otherwise be a bedroom. If the suite is large enough, you could run a small business out of it, hiring someone to act as your administrative assistant and work from the sitting area. You could also use the sitting area as a conference room or meeting space when clients visit.
Another option is to use the in-law suite as a study area or play space for your kids.
Building a home from house plans with an attached guesthouse or modern farmhouse plans with an in-law suite can mean that your property gets a better price when it’s time to sell. Just as an in-law suite or guesthouse sounds appealing to you, it also sounds appealing to many home buyers. People looking for a house with an in-law suite will be more interested in your home and willing to pay more for it than a house that doesn’t already have an in-law suite or guesthouse.
House with in-law suites come in many styles, from modern farmhouses to modified Cape Cods. The type of in-law suite available also varies from house to house. Some house plans feature a breezeway that connects the main house to the in-law suite, while others have an entirely detached guesthouse.
If you’re interested in building a house with an in-law suite or guesthouse, you have many options. Take a look at a few examples of homes with in-law suites.
Still have questions about building a house with an in-law suite or adding an in-law suite to your existing property? Here are two of the most commonly asked questions about house plans with in-law suites.
Zoning rules and requirements vary from place to place so your best option is to check with your local government and make sure the property you want to build on is zoned for a home with an in-law suite. If you’re building a separate structure to serve as a guesthouse or in-law suite, it’s particularly important that the structure is up to code and that it is legal for someone to live in it.
The rules about renting a part of your property to others, through a listing website or other methods, also vary from location to location. If you plan on renting out an in-law suite, check in with an attorney before doing so to make sure you’re complying with all the laws of your area.
The size of an in-law suite can vary considerably based on the house plan and your preferences. Usually, an in-law suite is smaller than the house itself but still offers plenty of space for one or two people to live comfortably.
Family Home Plans can help you find home plans that meet your needs, whether you plan on having your in-laws move in or just want some extra space to rent out. Browse our selection of house plans with in-law suites and give us a call at 800-482-0464 to get started putting together your dream home today.