In-Law Suites

In the past six months I have had two different people interested in In-Law suites one was a client who ended up purchasing a home with a walk out lower level that had a bedroom but never got a true in-law suite. The other persons wants me to keep an eye on the market and let him know when something comes up. So I just did a search and used the key words In-Law and came across just six listings in Louisville's East End and Oldham County none of which where under $300,000. There is a small market for these In-Law suites that may eventually grow with baby boomers taking care of their parents.

Here's what you need to get a true In-Law suite:

1. A walkout basement or another type of second entrance with no to very little steps (for example a sidewalk on a gradual slope to the lower level would be ideal.)
2. A bedroom, to meet building code you must have a full window and a closet in order to be a bedroom.
3. A kitchen is a big bonus, a small run of apartment grade cabinets (about the amount pictured above but not that nice) with some inexpensive appliances. A white coil top stove and a small fridge should be less than $1,000. The most expensive thing would probably be the plumbing for the sink. So make sure to bid the job out before you start the work.
4. A bathroom on the lower level is also a must have, making the doors big enough to fit a wheel chair would be wise. Grab bars for the shower and toilet could always be added later.

So there you have it all the key ingredients to having your very own In-Law Suite. Remember these suites are also appealing to people who have grown children just out of college and have moved back home and bratty teenagers who want their privacy.