Florida builders respond to demand for multi-gen floor plans

Justin Murphy doesn’t just track the regional upsurge for multigenerational homes — he lives it. As a Southwest Florida Realtor specializing in homes for extended families, Murphy brings firsthand insight to his clients: His mother and late father moved in with him, his wife, and their two daughters in 2022.

The U.S. Census Bureau defines a multigenerational family as a household consisting of three or more generations living under the same roof. Data from the Pew Research Center reveals that 22% of U.S. adults 65 and older lived in a multigenerational household between late 2023 and 2025. It also shows a record 25.2 million, or one in three, adults under 35 lived with family or parents due to housing costs. Nationally, Generation X leads all groups as the “sandwich generation,” often housing both aging parents and adult children.

Although the National Association of Realtors reported a year-over-year decline in multigenerational buyers — down to 14% of all home sales in 2025 compared to 17% in 2024, the Florida Association of Realtors reports that multigenerational listings received higher online views in 2025. Murphy noted there’s also growing demand in his market area, from Collier County north to Orlando.

“Every family has a different dynamic and different reasons to want a multigenerational setup,” he said. “For those with aging parents, it makes sense to try to do it preemptively before their parents suddenly need help. A lot of families do it for financial reasons. They can save $10,000 a year on variable costs like homeowners association fees, landscaping, internet and property taxes. Instead of paying two bills, they’re paying one.”

Murphy and his wife, Nicki, founded Multi Gen Living Group this year to help multigenerational families navigate their unique needs. Their website singles out Southwest Florida as the state’s most adaptable market for multigenerational living, offering master-planned communities with purpose-built suite floor plans and fully custom builds on private lots.

“It’s a growing niche market, and not an easy search for a lot of people to find a true multigenerational property,” Murphy said. “Sometimes a Realtor may use ‘in-law suite’ in a listing but there’s no private entrance, kitchenette or separate living area. There’s a limited inventory of true multigenerational homes with in-law suites. We have a database of homebuilders that offer floor plans designed for multi-gen families.”

National builders Lennar, Pulte Homes and Toll Brothers offer home designs catering to multi-gen buyers in Collier County communities. The floor plans feature separate suites offering a private entrance, a bedroom, full bathroom and separate living area. Some have kitchenettes with full-size refrigerators and washers and dryers, Murphy noted.

“Pulte’s floor plans are more readily available in communities throughout Florida,” he said. “Lennar has been doing it longer. You usually only see a kitchenette without a range because of zoning and permit issues. For me, my folks moved in with us and took the in-law suite. They could cook on their side using an air fryer and if they wanted to bake cookies with their granddaughters, all they had to do was walk 25 feet over to the main kitchen.”

Pulte introduced its Concord AllGen floor plan with a private suite last year in the Avalon Park and Gatherpoint neighborhoods in Ave Maria. The home spans 2,397 square feet and is showcased as a fully furnished model by Pulte’s sister company DiVosta at Terreno in Naples.

The plan also incorporates features that support larger households and long-term livability, including additional storage, flexible-use spaces and universal design elements such as wider hallways, minimal-step entries and easy-to-use hardware.

“We recognized a growing need for home designs that truly support multigenerational living,” said Dolly Majumdar, vice president of sales for PulteGroup’s Southwest Florida division, Pulte’s parent company. “AllGen is about much more than adding an extra bedroom. It’s about thoughtfully designing a home where families can stay connected, while giving each generation the space, comfort and privacy to live the way that works best for them. Private multigenerational suites can function almost as a home within a home.”

Independence and privacy are also behind the multigenerational floor plans offered by Toll Brothers at the Seven Shores community in Naples. The builder’s one- and two-story Landing and Port collections homes offer structural options for suites with a bedroom, private bathroom and separate living space.

“For multi-gen buyers, the strongest priorities generally center on creating a home that supports togetherness while giving each generation flexibility and personal space,” said Sean Walsh, president of Toll Brothers’ Southwest Florida division. “We focus on flexible living spaces, separation, independence and everyday functionality. These options can create a more independent living area within the home while keeping loved ones close.”

Communities are also known for their multigenerational lifestyle and offerings. After Juan and Ariel Herandez and their two children moved from Broward County to Ave Maria for its family-centered lifestyle five years ago, her parents, sister and sister-in-law eventually followed.

“There was a running joke in my family that we weren’t going to love it,” Ariel said. “My mom gave it a year, then she moved three blocks away a year later. My sister moved here, as well, because she was missing out on all the fun.”

The extended family gets together often and the Hernandezes enjoy frequent Halloween and holiday block parties with their neighbors, developer-sponsored townwide events and the sense of community for all ages. Ranked among the top-selling communities in the U.S., Ave Maria offers new-construction homes in various neighborhoods, including the multigenerational Gatherpoint and the 55+ Del Webb Naples retirement community.

“Ave Maria is a multigenerational community offering a variety of home types and amenities,” said Michelle Mambuca, marketing and public relations manager for Barron Collier Companies, which is developing the town. “There’s something for someone at every stage in life, whether it’s Little League and dance classes or a group for active adults. We’re always hearing stories about one family moving here and their parents and siblings visit and want to be close.”