A separate guest suite. A bedroom and full bath on the main level. Dual primary suites. A flexible bonus room that can become an office, retreat, or private living area. Features like these may once have been viewed as extras, but today they can give a home considerably broader appeal.
One reason is the continued rise of multigenerational living. More families are looking for homes that can comfortably accommodate parents, adult children, grandchildren, extended family, or long-term guests under one roof. For buyers considering Orange County real estate, that demand is especially relevant because flexible living arrangements are already well represented throughout Southern California.
More Families Are Living Under One Roof
According to Realtor.com’s 2026 research on multigenerational housing, the number of owner-occupied households with three or more generations grew from approximately 3.2 million in 2014 to 3.9 million in 2024. In 2024, about 4.5% of owner-occupied households nationwide were multigenerational.
The reasons vary from family to family. High housing costs can make sharing one property financially attractive. Childcare and caregiving needs may encourage relatives to live closer together. Other households simply prefer the convenience and connection that can come from having multiple generations nearby while still maintaining personal space.
Whatever the motivation, the trend is influencing what some buyers look for when evaluating a home—and which features can make one property stand apart from another.
What Makes a Home Work for Multigenerational Living?
Square footage alone is not necessarily the deciding factor. The way that space is arranged can matter just as much.
Features such as guest houses, in-law suites, secondary kitchens, separate entrances, main-level bedrooms, multiple living areas, dual primary suites, casitas, and flexible rooms can allow different members of a household to maintain greater privacy and independence.
These spaces can also serve a family differently over time. A casita might accommodate an aging parent today and become a home office or guest suite later. A downstairs bedroom may work for visiting relatives, an adult child, or someone who prefers to avoid stairs. A second living area can give multiple generations room to gather without requiring everyone to use the same space at the same time.
Flexible Homes Can Command Higher Asking Prices
That versatility can translate into measurable value in the marketplace. Realtor.com found that the median asking price for a home marketed for multigenerational living was $709,000 in 2025, compared with $429,900 for a standard listing—a difference of nearly 65% nationally.
Some of that gap is attributable to size. Multigenerational homes tend to be larger. But even when measured on a price-per-square-foot basis, the difference remained: $262 per square foot for multigenerational listings compared with $215 for standard homes, or approximately 22% more.
These homes also received 13.5% more listing-page views nationally while spending the same median 59 days on the market. The takeaway is not that every extra bedroom or guest suite automatically increases a home’s value by a specific percentage. Rather, specialized spaces can help a property meet needs that are difficult for some buyers to satisfy elsewhere.
Southern California Is Already a Major Multigenerational Market
The trend is particularly relevant in Southern California. Among the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas analyzed by Realtor.com, the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim region had the highest share of listings marketed for multigenerational living, at 23.7%.
There is an important local distinction, however. Because flexible and multigenerational housing is already more prevalent in Southern California, the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metro showed only a 1.6% median asking-price premium for these homes compared with standard listings. That is considerably smaller than the national figure.
In other words, local context matters. Buyers should not assume a national pricing premium applies directly to a particular Newport Beach or Orange County property. Location, condition, architecture, lot size, views, neighborhood demand, comparable sales, and the quality of the flexible living space all contribute to value.
Flexible Living Has Value Beyond Multigenerational Households
A home does not have to house three generations to benefit from a versatile floor plan. Many of the same features that make a residence attractive for multigenerational living also align with broader luxury-home preferences.
Private guest accommodations can make extended visits more comfortable. A bedroom separated from the main sleeping areas can function as an office or fitness room. Single-level living can appeal to buyers planning for long-term ownership. Dual suites can create privacy for family members or guests. Large gathering spaces and multiple patios can make entertaining easier while giving different members of the household room to spread out.
That versatility can become a meaningful selling point because it allows buyers to envision not just how a home works today, but how it may continue working as their needs change.
Newport Beach Homes Offering Flexible Living
Current Newport Beach real estate illustrates several different ways a home can deliver the privacy, adaptability, and functional spaces today’s buyers value. These Surterre Properties® listings range from a Newport Heights residence with a separate casita to single-level homes and residences with dual suites.
501 Aliso Ave. | Newport Heights
Among these properties, 501 Aliso Ave. most directly reflects the multigenerational-living trend. The five-bedroom Newport Heights residence offers approximately 3,177 square feet, two separate living areas, bedrooms and baths on both levels, and an attached separate casita with its own bedroom and bath.
The casita can accommodate extended family or guests while also providing the flexibility to function as a home office, fitness space, or other private retreat. Outdoor entertaining areas with a built-in barbecue and fire pit further expand the home’s gathering space, while its location places residents near Newport Harbor, Mariners Mile, the Back Bay, beaches, dining, and shopping.
Listing Agent: Manny Stellino | 949.874.1580 | DRE#00912924
994 Bayside Cove | Near Balboa Island
At 994 Bayside Cove, flexibility comes through privacy and suite-style living. This gated coastal residence offers approximately 1,515 square feet with two bedroom suites upstairs, each featuring high ceilings and a private balcony.
Although more intimate in scale than a traditional multigenerational residence, its dual-suite configuration provides separation that can work well for guests, family members, or buyers who simply value private accommodations. The location adds another dimension to the lifestyle, with Balboa Island, waterfront dining, shopping, Fashion Island, and Newport Harbor all close at hand.
Listing Agent: Mark Nix | 949.633.1166 | DRE#01181383
537 Vista Grande | The Bluffs
Single-level living is another feature that can make a home adaptable to changing household needs. At approximately 2,080 square feet, 537 Vista Grande offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms, expansive living areas, two dining spaces, a remodeled kitchen, custom built-ins, and abundant natural light.
Two private patio areas extend the living environment outdoors, including a private front patio designed for dining and entertaining. Its single-level layout can make everyday living more convenient for buyers seeking fewer stairs while still providing generous gathering spaces for family and guests.
Listing Agent: Kathy Fallon | 949.887.0972 | DRE#01428911
2005 Barranca | The Bluffs
Completely transformed and designed for single-level living, 2005 Barranca demonstrates how a modern floor plan can create flexibility without requiring an oversized residence. The approximately 1,500-square-foot home features multiple primary suites along with a versatile third bedroom or office positioned off the great room.
That combination can accommodate a range of living arrangements while preserving privacy. An open-concept living area, expanded chef’s kitchen, updated systems, and a tiled patio overlooking the community pool add to the home’s move-in-ready appeal.
Listing Agent: Kathy Fallon | 949.887.0972 | DRE#01428911
2102 Vista Entrada | The Bluffs
2102 Vista Entrada offers another example of adaptable single-level living. The updated three-bedroom Bonita plan provides approximately 1,655 square feet with the living, dining, and kitchen areas connected in an open great-room configuration and all bedrooms located on one level.
Two private patios provide additional places to gather or retreat, including a rear patio opening to a greenbelt. The home’s location within The Bluffs also provides access to expansive open space, greenbelts, pools, pathways, and the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve.
Listing Agents: Janice Arrigo | 949.466.3839 | DRE#01020536
Patty Presson | 949.922.0520 | DRE#01382806
What Sellers Should Highlight
For Orange County homeowners preparing to sell, flexible spaces should not be treated as an afterthought. If a property includes a casita, guest quarters, dual primary suites, bedrooms on multiple levels, a separate entrance, multiple living areas, an adaptable office, or unusually functional outdoor space, those features may deserve prominent placement in the property’s marketing.
The goal is not simply to list rooms. Effective real estate marketing shows buyers what those rooms make possible. A separate suite can mean privacy for extended family. A downstairs bedroom can support long-term livability. A bonus room can eliminate the need to choose between a guest room and a home office. Thoughtful positioning helps buyers understand the lifestyle and flexibility a property offers.
Why Local Real Estate Expertise Matters
National housing research can identify broad trends, but real estate value remains intensely local. A feature that commands a meaningful premium in one market may be expected in another. Even within Orange County, buyer priorities can vary substantially between Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Dana Point, San Clemente, and neighboring communities.
An experienced local real estate professional can evaluate how a property’s floor plan, location, condition, amenities, and flexible-living features compare with competing homes and recent sales. That analysis is essential for both sellers deciding how to position a property and buyers determining how much a particular feature is worth to them.
The Bottom Line
More American households are choosing to live across generations, and housing demand is adapting with them. National data shows homes marketed with multigenerational features carry higher asking prices per square foot and attract strong buyer engagement. In Southern California, where these properties are more common, the opportunity is less about applying a blanket national premium and more about recognizing the value of a well-designed, adaptable home.
Whether that flexibility comes from a private casita, dual primary suites, single-level living, separate gathering spaces, or rooms capable of evolving with a household, buyers are increasingly thinking beyond bedroom count alone.
If you are considering buying or selling a home in Orange County, connect with Kristine Everly and Surterre Properties® for local market insight and guidance tailored to your real estate goals.
At a Glance: The Growing Demand for Flexible Living
| Market Indicator | Finding | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Multigenerational Households | Approximately 3.9 million in 2024 | Up from approximately 3.2 million in 2014 |
| Median Asking Price | $709,000 nationally | About 65% above the median for standard listings |
| Price Per Square Foot | $262 vs. $215 nationally | Multigenerational listings carried an approximately 22% premium |
| Buyer Engagement | 13.5% more listing-page views nationally | Higher asking prices did not eliminate buyer interest |
| Southern California Supply | 23.7% of listings in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim | The highest multigenerational listing share among the 50 major metros studied |
