What is a Mother In-Law Suite?

You may have heard the term before in real estate, or you may be considering adding one to your own home, but what exactly is a mother-in-law suite? Essentially, the term refers to a separate, private living area that’s created within an existing home or on the same property.

Sometimes, a mother-in-law suite is referred to as an in-law suite or a granny flat. No matter the name, they all basically mean the same thing, and they don’t even have to be used specifically by your in-laws, either. 

While some people use them for aging parents who are no longer able to live on their own, others use them for adult children who aren’t financially stable enough to own or rent their own property. Still, in other situations, a home with a mother-in-law suite may potentially be used as a short-term rental for extra income, or as a guest suite of sorts for visiting friends and family members. 

Mother In-Law Suite Sizes & Styles 

This type of suite can vary in size and style, but most include at least one bedroom and one bathroom. Most of the time they also include a small living space and a kitchenette or a small kitchen.

Some offer a separate entrance for extra privacy. For this reason, homes with a lower level walkout work especially well for a mother-in-law suite. Oftentimes, they already have an exterior door that can be used instead of coming and going through the main home. 

Other mother-in-law suites are created as part of a garage, or by utilizing existing space within a home. The most common type of mother-in-law suite is one that’s designed by renovating space already in a family home. This can also be done by utilizing garage space. In other situations, homeowners may choose to use an existing back bedroom, then expand it into the backyard for extra square footage to create a bathroom or other space. 

In other cases, a mother-in-law suite is essentially the same thing as an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU. In this case, you’re utilizing an actual outbuilding on your property. The ADU needs to have electricity and plumbing, but the extent of how elaborate it becomes is really up to your needs and your imagination. 

A mother-in-law suite can vary greatly in price. While a less complicated renovation of existing space in your home would be on the less expensive end of the scale, the price goes up considerably, depending on the features and finishes you include with the project. 

Thinking About Buying a Sarasota Home With an In-Law Suite?

Every home buyer has unique needs in a new place to live and with multi-generational living on the rise, homes with a mother in-law suite are in high demand. But what exactly does that mean? Well, unlike homes with two master bedrooms, homes with a mother in-law suite not only include a large bedroom and an en suite bathroom but also a private sitting area or alcove as well.  In some cases, a guest suite or mother in-law suite might even be detached from the main house, but most most classify this type of separation as a guest house.

Interested in Sarasota mother in-law suite homes for sale? Check out all available Sarasota home listings with a mother in-law suite below, or contact me directly for help with your new Sarasota area home search. 

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Contact Me About Sarasota Homes With a Mother In-Law Suite

Ready to take the next step in your Sarasota home search? Call or text me at (941) 954-0900 for additional information about a Sarasota home with a mother in-law suite or to schedule a showing at your earliest convenience. As a Sarasota Realtor® who specializes in homes with a mother in-law suite or guest quarters, there’s nobody better equipped to negotiate the best deal possible based on today’s rapidly changing market conditions!