Priced Out of Buying? Here’s What Some Families Are Doing Instead

For many people, buying a home just doesn’t make financial sense right now. Maybe you’ve felt that too. You look at home prices, then at childcare costs, and suddenly it feels like you have to choose between the two.

But some families are finding a way to make both work by taking a different approach: buying a multi-generational home together.

Why More Families Are Taking This Approach

Affordability has been a real challenge in recent years. And for families with young children, there’s often another major expense adding to the pressure: childcare.

The Department of Health and Human Services says childcare should account for no more than 7% of a household’s income. But in reality, the average married couple is spending closer to 10% (see map below).

When you add that to the cost of buying a home, it’s easy to see why so many families feel financially stretched. That’s why more people are rethinking how they approach both.

Why More Families Are Choosing Multi-Generational Living

One option gaining more attention is multi-generational living. That’s when parents, grandparents, or other family members buy a home together and share the same space. And today, it’s about more than convenience. For many families, it’s becoming a practical strategy.

The data reflects that shift. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 1 in 7 homebuyers (14%) purchased a multi-generational home in 2025 (see graph below).

For the first time, childcare is emerging as one of the reasons buyers are choosing multi-generational living. As NAR explains:

“This year’s report identified two new leading reasons buyers chose a multi-generational home: grandchildren living in the household (12%) and reducing childcare costs (6%).”

Why This Approach Works

Buying a multi-generational home can help solve two major challenges at once.

• First, it allows families to shares the financial responsibility. By combining incomes, they may be able to afford a home that would be harder to buy on their own.
• Second, it can help ease the childcare burden. When grandparents or other relatives live in the home, they may be able to help with day-to-day care, which can reduce or even replace the need for full-time daycare.

For many families, that combination is what finally makes buying a home feel possible.

If the combined cost of housing and childcare has made homeownership feel out of reach, it may be worth considering creative options like purchasing a home with loved ones.

Bottom Line

If you’re curious about multi-generational homes, connect with a local agent who can show you what’s available in your area and what may fit your needs.

Sometimes the path to homeownership isn’t about doing it alone. It’s about finding a way to do it together.

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