Whether it’s baby boomers taking care of their aging folks or accommodating their Gen-Y children moving back in til the job market improves, the 2010 homebuyer may be looking for a roof to put over the heads of everybody.

A recent survey of Coldwell Banker professionals found that 37 percent of agents noted an increase of buyers looking to purchase homes accommodating more than one generation of their family – a trend expected to continue in the next year, given the economy.

The agents listed following reasons for why buyers or sellers were moving into a multi-generational home:

1. Finances – 39 percent
2. Health care – 29 percent
3. Strong family bond – 6 percent

The change in household structure for buyers requires extra attention to their specific lifestyle needs when looking at prospective homes, while sellers can look to highlight extra bedrooms or living spaces that would be attractive to prospective buyers.

Source: Coldwell Banker survey of 2,360 Coldwell Banker professionals