In-law apartments, mother-in-law apartments, secondary suites – no matter what you call them, you can’t deny their increasing popularity – up 30% since the year 2000! The term in-law apartment doesn’t necessarily mean your in-laws have to live there, though of course they can. It simply refers to an addition attached or detached to your home that includes all the amenities offered in a full home, just in a smaller space. They usually include kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, a living area, and sometimes more, depending on your budget. They can even be built right on top of your garage! Whether it’s time for your mother-in-law to move a little closer to home, or if you would like to rent out a space for a little extra income each month, an in-law apartment can have numerous benefits.
Benefits of an In-Law Apartment Addition
- Increases the value of your property
No matter what your reason for doing so, a home addition will always increase your property’s value. The more extravagant the addition is, the more your value will go up. For example, adding an in-law addition is one of the best things you can do to add property value, over just adding something like a shed or extra bathroom.
- Adds extra income
If you’ve decided to take our advice and build an apartment addition to use as a rental property within your property, the benefits are obvious! You’ll be able to earn back what you spent and then some once you’ve found a tenant to take over the lease of your new apartment.
- Provides extra space and usability
Maybe you don’t want to have your in-laws or tenants move onto your property – maybe you’d rather have all that extra space for yourself! Always wanted that game room? Home theater? Home gym? Whatever it is, if you love to entertain, an in-law addition can provide you with the extra space you’ve always wanted while giving you the option of having guests stay over in your extra bedroom and bathroom.
- Keeps your family close
Of course, the traditional reason most people build an in-law addition is to house their in-laws! If it’s come time that you need to keep your aging parents close, an in-law addition is the perfect way to keep an eye on them while allowing them to maintain some independence. An in-law addition allows you to take your parents’ needs into consideration – do you need a ramp for Mom’s wheelchair? A walk-in tub for Dad? There’s no better way to make sure your parents are safe and comfortable than with an in-law apartment.