Multigenerational living: The demand for self-contained studios

People are thinking differently about how extended families live as housing and aged care costs continue to bite.

This has put the spotlight on the multigenerational home, one that includes a purpose-built, self-contained space.

Think studio, granny flat, or other private accommodation ideal for older relatives or a young couple saving for their first home.

Jacob Stanton of The Property Collective, who lists this week’s Gowrie feature property, says potential buyers certainly see the value in the studio it offers.

“We had nearly 30 groups through on the first inspection and most remarked on the potential,” he says. “The studio could be ideal as a separate guest suite, a teenager retreat or a whole variety of multipurpose options.”

Stanton says properties that offer separate self-contained accommodation are still relatively rare in the local market.

“There’s certainly plenty of interest when they do appear because they just deliver so many possibilities,” he says.

Sophie Luton of Luton Properties Manuka believes the COVID-19 lockdown led to a renewed focus on home space.

“It was a time when many people returned from overseas very quickly and the family home became their refuge,” she says. “Extra space to accommodate them put a new value on homes with this kind of flexibility.”

Luton says the tradition of extended families living together is also a custom in many migrant communities.

“And not necessarily under the same roof – I recently had an experience where a family bought both homes on a dual occupancy,” she says.

One for all

Family ties: Buyers seeking properties with potential for multigenerational living are often driven by the need to care for – and keep close – elderly relatives or to offer a private space to younger ones.

Purpose-built: The most successful spaces are those designed to offer comfortable lifestyles. Relatives deserve the best in contemporary living, not to find themselves as an afterthought in a dodgy garage or basement conversion.

Wish list: Spaces should offer everything that might be found in a studio or small apartment, such as a private entry, good lighting and ventilation, a kitchen-dining-living space and a bedroom or sleeping zone.

Feature property

There’s one thing better than plenty of room – and that’s even more of it.

That’s what this Gowrie home offers, thanks to a bonus self-contained studio, a space that could be just right for extended family members.

The rest of the space is delivered on a block of 722 square metres.

View property

The bones of this family residence date back to 1981, but you wouldn’t know it from an extensive renovation about 10 years ago. Inside, it’s all soaring ceilings, blackbutt hardwood flooring, double glazing and streaming beams of light pouring in from a northerly rear aspect.

The floor plan delivers more than 170 square metres of living with a separate lounge room and bedrooms wrapped around a central kitchen-living-dining zone.

The well-appointed entertainer’s kitchen features glass mirror splashbacks, a stone benchtop and a breakfast bar. Appliances include a premium Smeg oven with a six-burner gas cooktop and a Bosch dishwasher.

Outside, there’s a north-facing area with a stainless-steel kitchen, while the backyard is ideal for kids and pets.

There’s a big garage divided into a space for two vehicles and the self-contained studio with private access, a bathroom and a kitchenette.

There’s further off-street parking for a caravan, trailer, boat or just about anything.

Those mindful of energy costs will appreciate a rooftop bristling with 30 solar panels. Other tech includes CCTV, an alarm and smart-lock keyless entry.

Or try these

$1,085,000 +

63 Bugden Avenue, Gowrie ACT 2904

5

3

2

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Price guide: $1.15 million

Private sale

Agent: Connected Agency, Joel Beard 0488 400 801

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Price guide: $1.27 million+

Private sale

Agent: New Door Properties, Malkiat Dhillon 0490 174 554

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Price guide: $1.675 million+

Private sale

Agent: Blackshaw Manuka, Vince Qi 0410 763 974