Multi-generational living is one of the fastest-growing housing trends in the country, and Arizona's new construction market has responded in a meaningful way. Builders across Greater Phoenix are now offering dedicated multi-gen floor plans — homes designed from the ground up to accommodate parents, adult children, or extended family under one roof without sacrificing privacy or independence for anyone living there.
If you are considering a multi-generational home, here is what you need to know before you start visiting model homes.
Why Multi-Gen Living Is Growing
The reasons families are choosing to live together have changed considerably in recent years. Rising housing costs mean that adult children are staying home longer or moving back after college. Aging parents who want to maintain their independence but benefit from family proximity are moving in rather than moving to assisted living. And for many families, particularly those with cultural traditions around multi-generational households, it was never a question of if but of how.
In Arizona specifically, the combination of land availability, active new construction, and a large retiree population creates a natural convergence of these factors. Grandparents living in a 55+ community nearby eventually want to be closer to family. Adult children buying their first home want help with childcare. The math starts to make sense for a lot of families.
What a True Multi-Gen Floor Plan Looks Like
Not all multi-gen homes are created equal, and this distinction matters enormously when you are shopping. There are three basic configurations you will encounter in the Greater Phoenix new construction market:
The attached casita. A fully self-contained suite with its own entrance, kitchenette or full kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living area attached to the main home but separated by a lockable interior door. This is the most common and most functional configuration. The guest can come and go completely independently while still being part of the household when they want to be.
The dual master suite. Two primary bedroom suites on opposite ends of the home, each with full baths and generous closet space. Less private than a casita but more affordable and still comfortable for a parent or adult child who does not need a full separate living area.
The next-gen suite. Several builders, including Lennar with their popular Next Gen product, have developed branded multi-gen floor plans that go beyond a casita to include a full separate entrance, living room, kitchen, laundry, bedroom, and bath. Essentially a complete small home attached to a larger primary home. These are the most privacy-forward and tend to command a price premium.
Builders Offering Strong Multi-Gen Options in Greater Phoenix
Several builders in the Phoenix metro are particularly strong in this category right now.
Lennar pioneered the Next Gen concept and has multiple active communities offering it across the west valley, including communities in Peoria, Surprise, and Goodyear. The product is well-designed and the separate living area is genuinely functional.
Taylor Morrison offers multi-gen options in several of their Peoria and Scottsdale communities, typically as a casita configuration. Their finish quality and floor plan designs are consistently strong.
Meritage Homes has multi-gen options in several active communities and is known for energy-efficient construction, which matters when multiple generations are contributing to utility bills.
Shea Homes offers casita options in select communities, including within the Northpointe at Vistancia master plan, which positions them well for families where the parent generation is considering 55+ adjacent living.
David Weekley and Toll Brothers both offer optional casita additions in their higher price point communities, giving buyers more customization latitude.
What to Ask Before You Sign
Multi-gen homes come with a few unique considerations that most buyers do not think to ask about until it is too late.
HOA rules on occupancy. Some HOAs restrict who can occupy a casita or how it can be used. If the plan ever changes and you want to use the space as a rental, make sure the HOA permits it. Some do, some explicitly do not.
Separate address and utility metering. A true casita may or may not have its own address or separate utility metering. If the occupant wants any degree of financial independence or privacy around utility usage, this matters.
Resale considerations. Multi-gen homes have historically appealed to a narrower buyer pool on resale, though this is shifting as the trend grows. If you are buying primarily as an investment or are uncertain about your long-term plans, discuss the resale dynamics with your agent before you commit.
Insurance and financing. Some lenders treat multi-gen homes differently depending on the configuration. If the property has the characteristics of a two-unit dwelling, financing options may differ. Work with a lender experienced in multi-gen purchases before you sign a builder contract.
How I Help Multi-Gen Buyers
Multi-generational purchases are often more emotionally complex than a standard home purchase, because they involve coordinating the needs and preferences of multiple family members who may have very different priorities. My job is to help your family get aligned on what matters most before you ever walk into a model home, and then to represent your collective interests at every stage of the transaction.
Builder contracts for multi-gen homes can be particularly nuanced around how the casita or suite is described, warranted, and permitted. I review every contract carefully and make sure the home you are promised on paper is the home you receive at closing.
If your family is considering a multi-generational home in the Peoria, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, or surrounding areas, I would love to help you think it through. Reach out and let's start the conversation.
Leslie Himley is an Arizona REALTOR and new construction specialist serving Greater Phoenix. Arizona License SA559042000. HomeSmart, Scottsdale AZ.
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