What Are the Best Homes for Living With Aging Parents in Massachusetts and New Hampshire?
The quick answer: A shared home works best when everyone has a separate entrance, their own kitchen and bathroom, and one-floor living for the parent. Near Andover MA, Londonderry NH and across both states, the homes that do this best are in-law apartments, detached cottages, owner-occupied two-families, and two homes close together.
They didn't need a bigger house. They needed a life that fit the people they'd become.
Picture this. Your mom raised you in a colonial in Andover MA. Her garden. Her kitchen. Her coffee mug on its own hook.
Now she's moving into the room over your garage. She shares your kitchen. She hears your kids at 6am. She says she's fine. You know she isn't. If you feel torn about it, you aren't alone.
Lots of families are where you are. Of buyers who bought a home for more than one generation, 41% said they did it to care for aging parents. That's from the National Association of Realtors 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (official).
After a lifetime in her own space, your mom doesn't just lose square feet. She loses her own schedule. She loses her privacy. She loses the feeling that she runs her own life. The right home gives that back to her, and gives you peace too.
Mom didn't need a bedroom in your basement. She needed her own front door.
In this guide
Why does moving in with your kids feel like a downgrade?
It's not the room. It's what goes missing:
- Their own front door. Coming and going without walking through your living room.
- Their own kitchen. Making tea at 5am without waking anyone.
- Their own guests. Having a friend over without asking.
- Their own routine. Quiet when they want it, family when they want it.
- Easy stairs. A basement or a room over the garage can mean a lot of steps every day.
What makes a shared home work for everyone?
Before you look at a single listing, check for these:
- A separate entrance.
- A kitchen or kitchenette.
- A full bathroom.
- Bedroom, bathroom and kitchen on one floor.
- Their own outdoor spot, even a patio.
- Good sound separation between the spaces.
- Parking close to their door.
Little things that make a big difference: a no-step entry, wide doorways, first-floor laundry, a walk-in shower, lever door handles and good lighting on stairs and paths.
The more boxes your home checks, the less it feels like moving in. It feels more like moving next door.
Which property types work best for families living together?
| Home type | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family with an in-law apartment. | Privacy with family a door away. | Whether the apartment is permitted. |
| Home with a detached cottage or converted garage. | The most independence on one lot. | Utilities, septic or sewer, permits. |
| Owner-occupied two-family. | Two full homes under one roof. | Stairs in an up-and-down layout. Side-by-side can be easier. |
| Ranch or one-level home with space below. | Parent on the main floor. | Light and ceiling height downstairs. |
| Two condos or townhouses in one complex. | Close by without sharing walls. | Each association's rules and fees. |
| Two homes on the same street or in the same town. | Parents who still want their own home. | Two purchases, so plan the money with your lender. |
Can you add an in-law apartment in Massachusetts or New Hampshire?
Yes, and both states made it easier.
- Massachusetts: since February 2, 2025, homeowners can build one accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, by right in single-family zones. It can be up to 900 square feet or half the size of the main home, whichever is less, and it needs its own entrance (official, mass.gov).
- New Hampshire: since July 1, 2025, towns have to allow one ADU by right, attached or detached, wherever single-family homes are allowed (official, HB 577).
Attorney Caroline Palucha of McLane wrote in the Union Leader that New Hampshire's by-right rule "represents a significant shift from prior practice." (Read her column)
In Massachusetts, the law is on the books, and building still takes planning. Attorney Zachary J. Sullivan of Fletcher Tilton writes that removing zoning barriers alone doesn't "immediately translate into widespread development." (Read his article)
Town rules still shape what you can build. Chelmsford MA's ADU rules, for example, don't allow a second driveway, according to the Boston Globe. (Read the story)
You'll still need building permits. Your town may have its own rules. Adding a unit can also raise your taxes. Call the building department before you buy a home you plan to add on to.
What should you check before buying a home with an in-law apartment?
- Permits: ask the town for the permit history. An apartment built without permits can cause trouble with financing, insurance and resale.
- Basement bedrooms: a bedroom needs a proper egress window, a window big enough to climb out of in an emergency.
- Heat and utilities: separate thermostats keep the peace.
- Sound: stand in one space while someone talks in the other.
Can an in-law apartment help you qualify for a mortgage?
It can when the unit brings in rent. Here's a worked example. These numbers are only an example.
The setup: a home with an existing ADU that rents for $1,500 a month.
- FHA loan: counts 75% of the rent, so $1,125 a month toward your qualifying income.
- Fannie Mae conventional loan: can now count ADU rent on a one-unit home you live in.
- The limit for both: ADU rent can't be more than 30% of the income you use to qualify.
If a parent will pay you rent, ask your lender whether it can count and what paperwork they need.
Put any rent or care arrangement in writing. Elder law attorney Kara Gansmann notes that without an agreement, a parent's payments "could be seen as taxable income to the adult child." (Read her article)
Using a parent's money to build the in-law suite? Elder law attorneys interviewed by WTOP warn that paying to renovate a basement or build an in-law suite with a parent's money can count as a gift under Medicaid rules. Talk to an elder law attorney before the contractor starts. (Read the story)
What am I seeing in our towns?
Houses with a true in-law apartment are unicorns, hard to find. One with its own entrance and one-floor living is even rarer. When one comes up in Andover MA or Londonderry NH, you want to be ready. The families who get them already know what they need.
That's the house I go find with you, and we check the permit history together before you fall in love.
Send this to someone moving a parent in: Everyone deserves a front door of their own, even under the same roof.
This series: Using an inheritance for a down payment and buying a house with your parents without a sibling fight.
What homes are for sale in Andover MA, Londonderry NH and Chelmsford MA right now?
Here are the homes for sale right now, live from the MLS. The newest ones show first. Tap any home for photos and details.
Homes for two generations
Want a search for homes with in-law apartments?
Book a time and I'll set up a search for in-law apartments, cottages and two-families.
About Lisa Sevajian
Lisa Sevajian is a Realtor with the Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty, licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has guided almost 2,000 families through buying and selling and has ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.4 million Realtors nationwide, verified by RealTrends. She serves the Andovers, the Merrimack Valley, Seacoast MA and NH, Southern NH and the North Shore. Buying, she makes sure you don't overpay. Selling, she makes sure you don't say yes to too little. Call Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406.
Home, for me, is here
This is home for me. I grew up north of Boston. I raised my two daughters here as a single mom while I built my business. When they were little, they hosted open houses with me.
Home was North Andover MA. I grew up in the library neighborhood on Mifflin Drive, later moved out to the country side of town, and loved every moment of my 40 or so years there. I hiked Weir Hill with my dogs, and a lot of my mornings started at Good Day Cafe.
So when you ask me about a town, you get more than numbers. Ask me about a school, a street or your commute, and you get someone who has lived it. If you're making a move here, you won't make it alone.
Lisa is an expert negotiator and we were able to get everything that we wanted for our offer.
Kevin Liu, bought a home in Georgetown MA, verified Zillow review
She listened to me and understood what I needed in this home sale.
Elizabeth Reifsnyder, sold a home in Andover MA, verified Zillow review
Read real client storiesSee all reviewsMore about Lisa Sevajian
Featured by HGTV, Forbes, HousingWire, Boston magazine, RealTrends Verified and Boston Agent Magazine, syndicated by The Globe and Mail and Yahoo Finance, among many others.
Questions people ask
What's the best type of house for living with aging parents?
A home with a separate in-law apartment or an owner-occupied two-family usually works best, because each generation gets its own entrance, kitchen and bathroom.
What's an in-law apartment?
An in-law apartment is a separate living space inside or next to a home, usually with its own entrance, kitchen and bathroom, made for a family member.
Can I build an ADU in Massachusetts without a special permit?
In single-family zones, yes. Since February 2, 2025, Massachusetts allows one ADU up to 900 square feet or half the main home by right. You still need a building permit.
Can I build a detached ADU in New Hampshire?
Yes. Since July 1, 2025, New Hampshire towns like Londonderry NH and Salem NH have to allow one attached or detached ADU by right where single-family homes are allowed.
How do I make my parent feel at home living with me?
Give your parent a separate entrance, their own kitchen and bathroom, and a say in how the space is set up.
Is a basement apartment a good idea for an aging parent?
A basement apartment can work if it has light, its own entrance and a proper egress window. A first-floor space is usually better for a parent who struggles with stairs.
How do I know if an in-law apartment in Andover MA is legal?
Ask the Andover MA building department for the permit history on the home. An apartment built without permits can cause trouble with financing, insurance and resale.
Can ADU rental income help me qualify for a mortgage?
It can. FHA counts 75% of ADU rent, and Fannie Mae now allows ADU rent on a one-unit home you live in. For both, ADU rent is capped at 30% of your qualifying income.
Is a two-family home good for living with parents in Massachusetts?
Yes. A two-family gives each household a full home. A side-by-side layout can mean fewer stairs than an up-and-down one.
Should my parents buy a home near me instead of moving in?
For parents who value their independence, a home on the same street or in the same complex can be the best of both.
Does adding an in-law apartment raise property taxes in Massachusetts?
It can. A new unit usually raises your assessed value, so check with your town assessor before you build.
How do I find homes with in-law apartments near Londonderry NH?
Ask a Realtor to set up a search for in-law apartments, accessory units and two-families near Londonderry NH, then check the permits on any unit you like.
Sources
- National Association of Realtors 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, via Florida Realtors.
- Mass.gov: Accessory Dwelling Units.
- The Recorder: By-right accessory dwellings need a separate entrance.
- NHPR: New Hampshire ADU law signed.
- New Hampshire HB 577 bill text.
- Fannie Mae: ADU income and boarder income flexibilities.
- The Truth About Mortgage: FHA ADU income rules.
- McLane: New Hampshire ADU law changes.
- Fletcher Tilton: The ADU boom in Massachusetts.
This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Check with your attorney, lender and CPA before you decide.
I'll guide you home.
Lisa Sevajian