Mother’s Day Real Estate: From Multi-Gen Living to Downsizing – Because Mom Deserves More Than a Candle

Let’s be real, Mother’s Day gets commercialized into a brunch reservation and a card with glitter that’s going to stay in your carpets until July. But the moms in our lives deserve more. They deserve security, peace, and a place that feels like home.  Whether it’s a bigger one to keep the family close, or a smaller one that doesn’t involve a deathmatch with stairs every night.

For me, Mother’s Day hits different. My mom isn’t here anymore, but she’s still in the background of everything I do, like the angel on my shoulder, except she’s also getting on me about my posture, correcting my grammar, and asking why I still haven’t replaced that one janky light fixture in the hallway. I do my best to live up to the man she raised me to be, stubborn, decent (mostly), and fiercely loyal.

And I can’t go on without giving a shoutout to my wife Natasha, who’s not only way out of my league but also one hell of a mother to our girls, Madeline and Claire. She’s teaching them how to be strong, self-respecting women who know their worth. Though she hasn’t figured out how to teach them not to put an empty box of cereal back in the pantry. One battle at a time.

In honor of all the badass moms out there, living, remembered, and barely holding it together over homework battles and sticky countertops, let’s talk real estate moves that actually matter for moms.

🏡 Multi-Generational Living in Portland: Keeping Family Close (Without Killing Each Other)

Multi-gen living isn’t just for sitcoms and awkward Thanksgivings anymore, it’s practical, cost-effective, and full of opportunities for connection. With Portland’s rising home prices and love for ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), more families are opening their doors to aging parents, boomerang kids, and even that one uncle who “just needs to crash for a bit.”

Here’s What to Look For:

• Separate Entrances
  Because everyone deserves a little privacy, especially Grandma when she’s got her stories and you’ve got three screaming kids and a dog licking the fridge. Whether it’s a daylight basement, ADU, or converted garage, separation saves relationships.

• Second Kitchen or Kitchenette
  Mom can cook her famous tamale pie while you burn whatever TikTok recipe you’re trying this week. No shared fridge drama, no weird smells wafting at 2am, just culinary peace.

• Accessible Bathrooms
  You know what moms don’t need? A bathroom that requires Cirque du Soleil-level balance to use. Think walk-in showers, grab bars, and wide doorways, aka a design that doesn’t suck when your knees do.

• Soundproofing & Zones for Sanity
  Open floor plans are cute until three generations are trying to exist in the same echo chamber. Build in some “me time” zones, quiet reading nook for mom, gaming corner for the grandkid, wine-under-the-stairs cave for you. No judgment.

• Outdoor Spaces
  Whether it’s a shared garden, two decks, or a yard that’s actually usable, outdoor areas matter, especially when you need to “step out for some air” aka hide from your family for 12 minutes with a beer.

Portland’s market is actually pretty friendly to this kind of living, with a ton of listings that already have ADUs, bonus suites, or basements begging to be turned into a studio for mom. And thanks to the city’s lax zoning in many neighborhoods, building out those spaces isn’t as bureaucratic as you’d think (though yes, it’s still Portland, so expect at least three inspections and one existential crisis).  As I write this, in the Portland metro area there are currently 109 listings with an ADU on the property, 428 listings that are considered to have a “dual-living” option, and 224 listings with an “in-law or multi-generational” option.

🏠 When It’s Time for Mom to Downsize (Without Breaking Her Spirit)

At some point, every family has “the talk.” No, not that one. The “maybe it’s time to get you into a home that doesn’t involve ladders or leaf blowers” talk. Downsizing isn’t about giving up, it’s about leveling up to a home that works now.

Tips to Help Make That Transition Smoother:

• Single-Level Living
  Unless mom’s knees are made of bionic steel, stairs just aren’t it. Ranch-style homes, condos, and bungalows are everywhere in SE, NE, and even parts of Beaverton and Hillsboro.  No matter what part of the PDX metro you’re looking in, we can find it!

• Low Maintenance, High Comfort
  The goal? Less lawn care, more leisure. Condos with HOA-covered exteriors, new builds with warranties, or small homes with modern upgrades that won’t need a new roof the next time we have a decent rain storm.

• Close to Community (This is an Important One)
  Think: walkable to coffee, groceries, medical care, and maybe a nail salon that doesn’t blast EDM.  Neighborhoods like Sellwood, Multnomah Village, Cedar Mill, and Progress Ridge have that perfect mix of cozy and connected.

• Downsizing With Dignity
  Remember, this is more than a move, it’s an emotional shift. Help mom keep what matters, ditch what doesn’t, and design a space that’s not a sad retirement cave but a vibrant, well-deserved fresh start.

If you’re in that phase where the conversation is hard but necessary, I’ve got your back. I’ve helped my share of families through it, and I’ll tell you the truth without sugar-coating the bullshit.

❤️ Final Thoughts (AKA Don’t F*ck Up Mother’s Day)

Look, you don’t have to buy your mom a house for Mother’s Day (but if you do, I better be your agent). Just remember that our homes, the ones we grew up in and the ones we build now, are the settings of our lives. They hold the arguments, the birthday candles, the quiet morning coffees, and the rants about how you don’t call enough.

So this weekend, hug your mom if you can. Call her if you can’t. And if you’re like me and your mom lives on in memory, do something she’d be proud of. Even if it’s just replacing that damn hallway light.

And to Natasha, thank you for being the incredible, fierce, and loving woman you are. Our daughters are watching you, learning from you, and becoming little powerhouses because of you. Also, sorry I forgot to unload the dishwasher again, my bad!

Need help navigating a move with mom? Whether it’s buying together, moving her closer, or finding the perfect place for her next chapter, I’ve got you!  I’ll handle the real estate.  You bring the tissues and the wine.

Hit me up at that1realtor.com  or find me on social @that1realtorguy

Serving Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, and beyond, with integrity, swears, sincerity, and no bullshit.