That extra bedroom you rarely use. A bonus room that has become storage. A casita. A separate guest suite. Or maybe a section of your home that provides a little more privacy from the main living area.
To you, it may simply be extra space.
But to the right East Valley buyer, that space could be one of the reasons your home stands out.
More families are considering homes that allow parents, adult children, grandparents, and other family members to live together while still having some independence.
And here in the Phoenix area, we have market data showing that multigenerational housing is already an important part of the local real estate market.
Multigenerational Homes Are Already Part of the Phoenix Market
According to Realtor.com’s 2026 multigenerational housing research, approximately 8.2% of listings in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro were identified as multigenerational homes.
That is a meaningful share of our housing market and an important reminder for East Valley homeowners: buyers are not all looking for the same traditional floor plan.
Some buyers specifically want a home that can comfortably accommodate more than one generation.
And that can make features you may take for granted much more important when it is time to sell.
What Are Multigenerational Buyers Looking For?
There is no single perfect multigenerational floor plan. Every family has different needs.
But certain features may make a property especially appealing to buyers who want to share a home while maintaining some personal space.
Those features may include:
- A casita or guest house
- A first-floor bedroom and nearby bathroom
- A private or semi-private guest suite
- A second primary-style suite
- Separate living or sitting areas
- Additional bedrooms
- A bonus room that can serve multiple purposes
- Flexible space for an office, bedroom, or sitting room
- A separate entrance, when the home is designed and approved for one
- Additional kitchen or food-preparation space where legally permitted
Not every home needs all of these features.
Sometimes it is simply the flexibility of the floor plan that attracts a buyer.
Arizona’s Newer ADU Rules Create Another Possibility
Do you have an oversized lot? There is another development that could make some East Valley properties even more interesting to multigenerational families: Arizona’s newer rules for Accessory Dwelling Units, commonly called ADUs.
An ADU is a smaller, independent living space located on the same property as a primary single-family home. Depending on the property and local requirements, an ADU may be attached to the main home or built as a separate structure. You may also hear similar spaces referred to as casitas, guest houses, or granny flats.
Arizona changed state law to expand ADU opportunities in larger municipalities. Cities with populations above the threshold established by state law, including Phoenix, Chandler, and Gilbert, are generally required to allow at least one attached and one detached ADU on lots where single-family homes are permitted, subject to applicable requirements.
For a multigenerational family, that can create an interesting housing option.
An ADU could potentially provide a parent, grandparent, adult child, or other family member with a more independent living space while keeping the family together on the same property.
For some buyers, the ability to have an existing ADU—or potentially add one in the future—may become another consideration when choosing a home.
What If the Home Is in an HOA?
This is an important part of the conversation.
Arizona’s ADU law places limits on what qualifying cities and towns can prohibit. It does not mean every homeowner automatically has the right to build an ADU on every property.
Private restrictions can still matter.
If a home is located within an HOA, the community’s CC&Rs, architectural guidelines, and other governing documents should be reviewed to determine whether an ADU, casita, guest house, or similar structure is permitted and what approvals may be required.
Buyers and homeowners should also verify municipal zoning, permits, setbacks, utilities, easements, building requirements, lot configuration, and other property-specific conditions before assuming an ADU can be constructed.
But for the right property, ADU potential may add another layer of flexibility for a family planning for multiple generations.
Why This Matters in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert and Phoenix
One of the advantages of living in the East Valley is the variety of housing available.
Depending on the neighborhood, buyers may find established homes with larger floor plans, newer homes designed with flexible living spaces, properties with casitas, and homes where bedrooms and living areas are arranged in ways that provide additional privacy.
Some properties may already have a permitted guest house or ADU. Others may have flexible space within the existing home. And some properties may have characteristics that make exploring a future ADU worthwhile, subject to all applicable requirements.
That versatility can become a valuable marketing advantage when the right buyer comes along.
A family may be looking for room for an aging parent. Another may have an adult child living at home. Someone else may simply want enough space so visiting family can stay comfortably for longer periods.
The same feature can solve very different needs for different buyers.
Local Data Shows These Homes Can Carry Additional Value
There is another interesting piece of Phoenix-area data.
Realtor.com reported a $640,000 median asking price for multigenerational homes in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro in its 2026 study.
More importantly, when Realtor.com compared price per square foot, Phoenix-area multigenerational properties showed approximately a 5.6% premium over comparable standard listings in the study.
That does not mean adding a guest room, having an ADU, or calling a space an “in-law suite” automatically makes a home worth 5.6% more.
Real estate does not work that way.
Location, condition, lot, improvements, square footage, neighborhood, comparable sales, and current market conditions all play a role in determining value.
But the data does suggest something useful for sellers:
When a home offers features buyers specifically want and those features are marketed correctly, they can help differentiate the property from its competition.
Sometimes the Opportunity Is Already in Your Home
If you are considering selling, walk through your home as if you were seeing it for the first time.
That room you call an office might also provide flexible space for a family member.
Your oversized bonus room may offer the additional living area another family has been trying to find.
A guest suite that rarely gets used could be extremely appealing to a buyer with a parent moving in.
A permitted casita or ADU may provide the combination of proximity and independence a multigenerational family wants.
And even if you do not currently have an ADU, the characteristics of your property may be worth evaluating under today's rules.
You do not necessarily need to change your home. You may simply need to recognize possibilities you have not considered before.
Marketing the Space Matters
This is where I believe thoughtful real estate marketing makes a difference.
It is not enough to list the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage.
Buyers need to understand how they could actually live in the home.
If a property has flexible spaces that could appeal to a multigenerational household, those features should be accurately described and showcased through photography, the property description, and marketing.
An existing permitted casita or ADU should not become a footnote in the listing if it is one of the property's most compelling features.
At the same time, we need to be careful not to advertise a space as a separate dwelling unit, bedroom, kitchen, ADU, or other specific use unless the property and applicable requirements support that description.
Good marketing highlights possibilities without overstating what the property offers.
It Isn't Necessarily About Having the Biggest House
Multigenerational living is not simply about finding the biggest home possible.
For many families, how the space functions matters just as much as how much space there is.
A thoughtfully designed home that provides privacy, flexible living areas, comfortable shared spaces, and perhaps a separate casita or ADU may work better for a family than a larger home with a less practical layout.
That is why understanding your home's floor plan, features, and potential—and identifying the buyers who may appreciate them—can be so important.
Your Home May Appeal to Buyers You Haven't Considered
If you own a home in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, or another East Valley community and are thinking about selling, take another look at the spaces you already have.
Your home's next buyer may not see that extra room as “extra” at all.
They may see a place for Mom or Dad. A comfortable space for an adult child. A private area for visiting family. A casita that gives everyone a little independence. Or perhaps a property where an ADU could become part of their family's future plans.
Sometimes one of the best selling features of your home has been there all along. And sometimes a change in the rules creates a possibility you didn't know you had.
Thinking about selling? Contact me and let's look at what makes your East Valley home stand out.
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Kip Wilkins REALTOR® | Equities Real Estate, LLC Phone: 208-915-9606 |
I believe real estate is about relationships, trust, and helping people make confident decisions. Whether you are buying your first home, moving up, downsizing, or preparing to sell, my goal is to educate you, advocate for your best interests, and provide the local knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
Kip Wilkins is a licensed REALTOR® with Equities Real Estate, LLC. REALTOR® is a registered trademark of the National Association of REALTORS®. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property uses, additions, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), casitas, guest quarters, kitchens, entrances, and other improvements should be independently verified for permits, zoning, utilities, easements, setbacks, building requirements, HOA restrictions, CC&Rs, and other applicable regulations. Arizona and municipal ADU requirements are subject to change and may vary by property and jurisdiction. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler multigenerational housing statistics referenced are based on Realtor.com Economic Research published in 2026. Market conditions and property values vary by location and property. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified.