Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Predicts the Next Big Housing Trend — and You’re Already Seeing It in Omaha

by Chris Jamison

Imagine walking into your Omaha home after work — your dad’s teaching your daughter to make his famous spaghetti sauce, your mom’s watering plants on the back deck, and your brother’s finishing a Zoom call upstairs.

Sounds a little chaotic, right? Maybe. But for a growing number of families in Omaha and across the country, this is becoming the new normal — and it might just be the smartest financial move out there.

According to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, backed by Warren Buffett’s legendary market instincts, multigenerational living is the next big housing trend shaping how families buy, sell, and design their homes.

🏡 Why More Families Are Living Together in 2025

In 2010, about 5 million U.S. households were multigenerational. By 2020, that jumped to 6 million — and today, nearly 60 million Americans share homes with multiple generations under one roof.

So, what’s driving the trend — and why are more Omaha families joining in?

Affordability pressures: With home prices still high and mortgage rates sticky, pooling resources can make homeownership possible when it otherwise wouldn’t be.
Childcare savings: Grandparents are stepping in to help with daycare costs that easily hit $1,000+ per month.
Elder care costs: Many seniors prefer to age in place, and families are finding ways to make that happen safely.
Remote work flexibility: Multiple adults can now live — and work — under one roof without commuting stress.

Beyond finances, it’s also about connection and resilience. Families are rediscovering the benefit of having built-in support nearby.

🔍 What to Look for in a Multigenerational Home

If you’re exploring this lifestyle, certain features make all the difference. In the Omaha market, buyers are gravitating toward homes with:

Finished basements or in-law suites (especially popular in Elkhorn, Gretna, and Bennington)
Dual kitchens or kitchenettes for independence
Main-floor bedrooms and step-free entries for aging parents
Separate entrances for privacy
Flexible layouts that can adapt as family needs change

Even if you’re not buying new, simple retrofits — like finishing a basement, converting a garage, or adding a kitchenette — can transform your current home into a multigenerational one.

💰 Selling? Highlight These Features

If you’re selling your Omaha home, this trend can actually work in your favor.

Homes with privacy-friendly layouts and flexible spaces are appealing to a wider range of buyers. Highlighting features like a finished lower level, main-floor suite, or secondary kitchen can help your listing stand out and sell faster.

Even if your home wasn’t designed that way, staging and smart marketing can help buyers see the potential.

🧱 A Smart Move for Investors, Too

Berkshire Hathaway calls this trend a “goldmine for remodelers,” and they’re not wrong.

Adding an ADU (accessory dwelling unit), finishing a basement, or upgrading for accessibility can boost both your resale value and rental potential. Investors targeting homes with separate entrances or flexible layouts could see stronger returns and longer-term tenants.

Here in Omaha, we’re already seeing builders design homes with optional multi-suite layouts and even dual-living setups. It’s smart housing that reflects how families actually live today.

🔮 The Future of Family Living

Builders and buyers alike are leaning into homes that fit life’s stages — from raising kids to caring for parents. Expect to see more:

Private quarters for parents or grandparents
Shared living spaces that don’t sacrifice privacy
Aging-in-place design from the start

This isn’t just about saving money — it’s about creating homes that keep families connected and supported, through every chapter.

Ready to Explore Omaha Homes with Multigenerational Potential?

If you’ve been thinking about combining households or investing in a home that works for multiple generations, now’s the time to get strategic. Omaha has a growing inventory of homes that fit this lifestyle — and many more that can easily be adapted.

👉 Take my Neighborhood Quiz to find the areas that best match your family’s lifestyle, or book a quick call and let’s talk about what options make sense for your situation.