Market Insight
A fully remodeled East Bountiful home with a separate basement apartment sits at the intersection of two of 2026's biggest housing trends.
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There's a shift happening in how families buy homes, and it's showing up right here in East Bountiful.
Our new listing at 1285 N 900 E just went through a complete top-to-bottom remodel — two brand-new kitchens, updated bathrooms throughout (including a new one added upstairs), a new roof, new electrical, and a walkout basement converted into a fully separate apartment with its own private entrance. It's the kind of home that would have been a straightforward single-family remodel a decade ago. Today, it's something else entirely: a home built for the way people actually need to live now.
The Multigenerational Shift Is Real — And Growing
According to the National Association of Realtors' 2026 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report, roughly 14% of all home buyers in 2025 purchased a home intended to house multiple generations. Gen X led the way at 19%, largely because so many in that age group are caring for aging parents while also supporting adult children — the so-called "sandwich generation."
The reasons buyers give for choosing multigenerational homes have shifted too. Caring for or supporting aging parents is now the single biggest driver, while a growing share of buyers cite adult children moving back home. Realtor.com's research backs this up on the supply side: multigenerational-friendly listings — homes marketed with in-law suites, guest houses, or separate entrances — are drawing noticeably more buyer attention than standard listings, even though they tend to carry a price premium.
It's not just a Utah trend or a coincidence. It's a structural response to two things happening at once: the cost of care for aging parents, and the cost of a starter home for adult kids. A house like 1285 N 900 E solves for both — grandparents, adult children, or extended family can have real privacy with a separate kitchen and entrance, while everyone stays close.
House Hacking: The Other Half of the Equation
The second trend worth watching is what's often called "house hacking" — living in part of a home while renting out the rest to offset the mortgage. It's a strategy that took off during the low-rate years of the pandemic and has stuck around because it works, especially as home prices and rates have made monthly payments tighter for a lot of buyers.
One recent development makes this especially relevant right now: as of March 2026, Fannie Mae updated its guidelines to allow buyers to count a portion of projected ADU rental income toward their qualifying income on a mortgage application, up to 30% of a borrower's total qualifying income. That's a meaningful change — it means a buyer looking at a home like this one may be able to use the basement apartment's earning potential to help qualify for the loan in the first place, not just pay it down after closing.
At an estimated $1,800/month in rental potential, the basement apartment at 1285 N 900 E isn't just a nice bonus — it's a real dent in a $647,000 mortgage payment. Whether that space houses a parent, an adult child, or a tenant, the math works in the buyer's favor either way.
Why This Home Fits Both Trends at Once
| Two full kitchens | Genuine independence, not just a mini-fridge and a hot plate. |
| Private walkout entrance | Keeps daily life separate for the basement apartment when privacy matters. |
| Built-out ADU potential | Zoned R-4, giving buyers flexibility for family now or rental income later. |
| Move-in-ready main level | New roof, new electrical, updated bathrooms — no renovation risk for buyers. |
| Location, location | Walking distance to hiking and biking trails, a park, and mountain views. |
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The Bigger Picture
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Then vs. Now: What Changed
| 2024 Sale (As-Is) | 2026 Listing (Renovated) | |
| Price | $515,000 | $647,000 |
| Kitchens | 1 (original) | 2, both brand new |
| Bathrooms | 3, original condition | 3, fully updated, plus a new one added upstairs |
| Basement | Walkout, mother-in-law potential | Fully separate apartment, private entrance, new kitchen |
| Roof / Electrical | Original | Both new |
| Monthly Rental Potential | Not applicable | Est. $1,800/mo from basement apartment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ADU rental income help me qualify for a mortgage?
Yes, in many cases. As of March 2026, Fannie Mae allows lenders to count a portion of projected ADU rental income toward a borrower's qualifying income on a one-unit, owner-occupied purchase, up to 30% of total qualifying income. Requirements and documentation vary by lender, so it's worth confirming the specifics with your loan officer before you count on it.
What counts as a multigenerational home?
A multigenerational home is one designed or adapted to house more than one adult generation under the same roof — for example, a couple living with their adult children or aging parents. Features like a separate basement apartment, a private entrance, or a second kitchen are what make a home genuinely functional for this kind of living arrangement, rather than just a house with extra bedrooms.
What is house hacking?
House hacking means living in part of a property — a unit, a floor, or a basement apartment — while renting out the rest to offset the mortgage and other housing costs. It's commonly done with duplexes, but a single-family home with a separate ADU or basement apartment works the same way.
Is the basement apartment at 1285 N 900 E a legal ADU?
The basement has been converted into a fully separate living space with its own kitchen and private entrance. Buyers should verify current permit and zoning status with Davis County as part of their due diligence, and reach out for the most current details on the property's ADU status.
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Interested in touring 1285 N 900 E? Or want to talk through whether a multigenerational or house-hacking setup makes sense for your situation? I'd love to walk you through the numbers. 801-876-8183 | cody@soldlux.com Cody Emery | Summit Sotheby's International Realty |
