Home within a Home

Growing trend of multigenerational homes roots in Austin area

The country's newest housing trend is growing in Austin.

Photo by Jessie Casson/Getty Images

KVUE — Multiple generations living under one roof – it's a growing trend seen across the country that homebuilder Lennar is now accommodating for in the Austin area.

It's almost like getting two homes for the price of one.

Lennar calls it a home within a home and the goal is to give whoever's living there the privacy and independence they need. Many of their buyers are wanting to use the extra space to keep their aging parents close by.

“It does offer something that no other home offers,” said Travis Yamashita, who bought a Next Gen Home for aging parents.

Yamashita and his wife were thinking years ahead when they bought their home in Round Rock.

“When my in-laws get to the point where they need care, this is probably where they will come,” said Yamashita.

He's not talking about this side of the home they're sitting in, he's talking about the other one — the one that has its own private entrance. It's part of a next-gen community and Lennar is the builder behind it.

KVUE took a tour of one of the model properties to get a better look. In addition to two private entrances, the separate 600-square-foot space comes with its own living room, kitchen, washer and dryer, bathroom, and bedroom. The rest of the family is only a room away and that's something that led Yamashita to buy the home with his aging parents in mind.

“Just knowing that they can come stay with us versus going to stay at a care home — it's priceless,” said Yamashita.”

“One in five American families now have multiple generations living under one roof,” said Charlie Coleman with Lennar.

Coleman said the company noticed this trend back in 2011 and decided to build to it.

“As we're getting older it creates a lot of needs and assisted living,” said Coleman. “Assisted living can be very expensive.”

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To read the full story, head to KVUE.

families trends

a barton creek paradise

$15.2 million Austin sanctuary is in the middle of a nature conservancy

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek, Austin home for sale

Photo courtesy of Peyton Skinner

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek sits on 24 acres of untouched Hill Country land.

Living on an expansive estate teeming with untouched nature and vegetation may seem like a priceless dream, but a lavish property in West Austin has a cost in mind: $15.2 million.

Photo courtesy of Peyton Skinner

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek sits on 24 acres of untouched Hill Country land.

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek is a 24-acre estate with an Austin address, although it is located near Bee Cave, a Hill Country suburb. The entrance of the property is double gated, and the area is completely surrounded by a 4,100-acre nature conservancy to provide a peaceful and private escape from the ever-changing landscape of the Texas capital.

The 7,931-square-foot main house contains seven spacious bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and one half bath. The listing, managed by Douglas Elliman sales agents Jeanne Parker and Julie Mack, describes the modernly updated home as a place where "elegance and comfort intertwine seamlessly."

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek, Austin home for sale The estate is a private and peaceful oasis.Photo courtesy of Peyton Skinner

The new Wolf appliances in the state-of-the-art chef's kitchen is a primary example of the sophisticated upgrades that have been completed on the residence. The primary bathroom has also been completely remodeled, where the next owners can be enamored with the privacy of the Hill Country while enjoying luxurious baths in the standalone soaking tub.

Another key feature of this home is its abundance of fireplaces, which can be found in bedrooms, living areas, balconies, and outdoors.

The property is also suited for hosting friends and family with two additional buildings: A fully equipped guest house, and a lofted "executive lodge" that can be used as additional guest quarters, game room, or executive office.

Like the rest of the residences on the estate, the executive lodge has breathtaking views of the Hill Country that can be admired from the spacious balcony or large windows. The space sits above a three-car garage that comes with a pull-through for a RV and a dog washing station.

The Sanctuary on Barton Creek, Austin home for sale The spacious executive lodge also comes with a kitchenette, making it suitable for hosting guests or using as an office.Photo courtesy of Peyton Skinner

All of the residences open up to the backyard pool area where guests can relax under the covered veranda, the patio, or take a dip in the resort-style custom designed pools. There's plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy if exploring the property's untouched 24 acres is a more appealing alternative to sitting by the pool.

"Enjoy honey made from the hives on the property which provide not only an agricultural exemption, but also promote a healthy environment for everyone," the listing says.

Guests are also welcome to go fishing or paddle boarding in Barton Creek, where the estate has more than 200 feet of grassy shoreline access to the water.

The property is zoned for Lake Travis Independent School District, and is situated just minutes away from the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave.

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