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Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Yes, It Pays to Share a Home With Family. But Plan for Some Challenges, Too.
Whether it is college graduates taking over the basement because they can't afford to buy or rent, or grandparents seeking the security of family as they age in place, multigenerational households in the U.S. have skyrocketed. According to the Pew Research Center, between 1971 and 2021, the last year for which these statistics are available, the number of people living in multigenerational households quadrupled. The trend is driven by financial issues, the need for caregiving for both children and older adults, and delays in new household formation by young adults. Yes, It Pays to Share a Home With Family. But Plan for Some Challenges, Too. But despite the benefits of communal living, there are challenges as well. Twenty-three percent of adults in multigenerational households say it is stressful all or most of the time, and 40% admit it is stressful some of the time, according to Pew. That is why flexible floor plans that enhance privacy, a healthy respect for boundaries and candid discussions upfront among family members are key to the success of any multigenerational arrangement. Darlene Gibson, 56, and her husband, Jim Gibson, 58, have been sharing their 2,600-square-foot home in Goodyear, Ariz., with Jim's mom, Cheryl, since they purchased it for $422,490 in 2021. Before moving in, Cheryl, 79, was living on her own in rural Virginia, where she was isolated and dependent on others to get around. Today, the family is living together in a style of home that is becoming more popular as multigenerational living becomes more common. Miami-based Lennar has sold its Next Gen home design since 2011, according to Alan Jones, the company's division president in Tempe, Ariz. These models include an attached private suite with a separate entrance, kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom and laundry facilities. 'We call it two homes in one,' Jones said. 'A person can live in this space completely independent from the other family.' Jones said that Next Gen homes make up 25% of the company's sales in the Phoenix market and that while prices vary by market and model, the price of a typical 3,000-square-foot Next Gen home is approximately $15,000 more than a similarly sized home without the multigenerational features. But Lennar isn't the only builder offering floor plans designed for multigenerational living. Many homes sold by Fort Washington, Pa.-based Toll Brothers can be customized for multigenerational living as well. In addition, many existing homes are suitable for multiple generations. According to nationally, about 3.8% of homes listed between Jan. 1 and June 21 advertised an additional dwelling unit, in-law suite or casita in the listing description, and homes featuring one of these additional dwelling units had median listing prices 20.6% higher than the market median. (News Corp, owner of The Wall Street Journal, also operates Cheryl Gibson now has the equivalent of her own apartment, where she bakes and gets together with friends. She's lost weight because she's active in the community, using the clubhouse for bingo and craft night. When she needs to go to a doctor's appointment, Darlene and Jim are there to support her. But the arrangement only works, Darlene said, because of mutual respect. Except for emergencies, no one enters the other party's living quarters without knocking first and being invited inside. The arrangement also gives the couple peace of mind, knowing they are just a few steps away in case Cheryl has a health issue or needs assistance. If you're planning to share your home with relatives of different generations, here are some things to consider. Agree on all financial and legal details up front. Hillery Dorner, a real-estate attorney with Dorner Law & Title Services in Concord, Mass., suggests that the parties outline everyone's expectations, responsibilities and financial obligations in a written cohabitation agreement. The agreement should include an exit strategy to lay out what happens if one of the parties dies, gets divorced, needs to move to assisted living or just wants to leave the shared home. If title to the property is held by all parties jointly, that exit strategy should include a method of valuing the home in case one party wants to buy the other out, according to Zachary D. Schorr, a real-estate attorney in Los Angeles. Plan to revisit the agreement every year or so to update it to reflect changing finances and needs. Decide whose names go on the deed. If you need your parents' help to qualify for a mortgage, it is likely the lender will require them to be on the deed and mortgage. Decide whether you want to own the property as joint tenants with right of survivorship, where the surviving party automatically owns the entirety of the property if the other owner dies, or tenants in common, where a deceased owner's share goes to his or her heirs, which could possibly leaving the survivor as a co-owner with strangers. Schorr said that holding title in the name of a trust is a good option as well, assuming the lender will allow it. 'With a trust, there would be a mechanism for who gets what if someone dies or wants out,' he said. Create an emergency fund. Donna Butts, senior fellow at Generations United, a nonprofit that advocates for intergenerational programs and multigenerational living, suggests that families create an emergency fund, to which everyone contributes, to cover unexpected repairs. That fund could also be used to modify the home to allow older adults to age in place or to childproof the home for young children. 'Updating a home for one generation can positively impact multiple generations,' she said. 'That front-loading washer makes it easier not just for older adults but for children who want to help. Accessibility enhances everyone's ability to enjoy the home they share.'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Matcha in Demand: How South India is Embracing the Trend
Strawberry Matcha at Dou, Nungambakkam Nirmal Raj, founder of Buddies Café and Dandjo Teas in Ooty, has been selling matcha since 2015. But of late, says the tea merchant, the quantities he has had to procure have more than quadrupled. 'Till a couple of years ago, I used to buy only 500g a month. It's now 8kg a month and rising,' says Nirmal. He's not sure what's driving the surge, but he's planning to ride the wave with a matcha dessert menu soon. It's game, set, matcha everywhere. Namratha Marlecha, founder of Sante Spa Cuisine in Chennai, is also seeing an increase in demand for their matcha dishes. 'We've been around for more than seven years now, and hardly a handful of people used to try our smoothie matcha bowl or matcha pina colada, for the health benefits. Today, almost every table has someone ordering matcha dishes. The demand has pushed us to rework our menu and add more matcha drinks,' says Namratha. A finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves, matcha involves consuming the entire powdered young leaf, offering a more concentrated dose of nutrients and antioxidants, unlike regular green tea, where you steep the leaves. Once a niche Japanese import, matcha is now riding the social media wave into cafés, kitchens, and even personal tea collections across Chennai. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rates Today in Chennai | Silver Rates Today in Chennai Latshyamitra R says every time she opens her Instagram account, her feed is filled with matcha tea recipes. So much so that the UX designer got curious, bought 30g of ceremonial-grade matcha online, a premium quality powder traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, for Rs 800. 'I made matcha drinks with caramel, strawberry and vanilla,' says Latsyamitra. 'I'm planning to bake next,' she says. Saravanan B V, a brand designer from Ooty, initially tried it for its high antioxidant properties and health benefits. But soon he fell in love with the taste and now collects matcha varieties. Not all matcha tastes the same, says Saravanan. Indian matcha has an astringent taste (a dry, puckering sensation in the mouth) that comes from the altitude difference and the way it is ground, compared to Japanese matcha. The Japanese matcha, says Alexander R K, chef at Dou, Nungambakkam, has a unique flavour profile; a delicate balance of earthiness, umami and subtle bitterness making it a versatile ingredient that blends well with sweet and savoury dishes. 'We are trying to use matcha as salt in barbecue meats and tempura,' says Alexander. 'They are still in a trial phase, but show promise among adventurous diners. We're also exploring matcha-infused sauces and glazes that can complement Asian-inspired small plates and grills,' he adds. Matcha Brownie Café owners and tea merchants say they procure their matcha from Japan or Assam (the only place in India where it is grown). Chota Tingrai in Assam's Tinsukia district is the only tea estate in the country that produces it. 'We've been making green tea at Chota Tingrai using Japanese technology since the 1980s, but matcha requires far greater precision and investment,' says tea manufacturer Mrigendra Jalan of Jalan Industries. The estate is experimenting with the Yabukita cultivar and its Assam equivalent, slowly moving toward Japanese standards with both ceremonial and culinary grades. 'The process is slow and costly, as one Japanese grinding machine costs Rs 40 lakh and produces just 10kg a day,' he says. South India has the potential to grow matcha, says Jalan, but the climate and altitude will influence its flavour profile. 'South Indian tea is not as strong as Assam tea, and less bitter. While Assam works on refining production, demand from Chennai, Bengaluru, and Ooty is already surging, pointing to a future where locally grown matcha could complement imports from Japan.' Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
India-US trade deal: US team may cancel August visit, says report; 50% Trump tariffs to take effect from August 27
Postponing or rescheduling the meeting is important because the US has imposed a significant 50% on Indian products. (AI image) India-US trade deal: As India looks at the possibility of a 50% tariff on its exports to the US effective August 27, the sixth round of trade deal talks between the two countries may be postponed. An official told PTI that a US team, initially set to visit India from August 25 for the next round of negotiations on the proposed bilateral trade agreement, is expected to postpone the meeting. Up to now, five rounds of discussions have been completed for the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), and the US team was supposed to come to India for the sixth round. The negotiations were planned for August 25-29. "This visit is likely to be rescheduled," the official said. Also Read | 'Russia lost an oil client, which is India': What Donald Trump said before meet with Putin; 'secondary sanctions would be devastating…' India talks tough on important sectors Postponing or rescheduling the meeting is important because the US has imposed a significant 50% on Indian products. The US is seeking increased market access in sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy, which India cannot agree to as it would impact the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. India has made it clear that it will not compromise the interests of its farmers and cattle rearers. The US and India have announced their intention to finalize the first phase of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by the fall of 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Click Here Undo Both countries aim to more than double their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, up from the current $191 billion. Also Read | Trump sees a 'dead economy' - but US-based S&P Global upgrades India's credit rating - here's why A 25% tariff on Indian goods entering the US has been in place since August 7. An additional 25% tariff, imposed as a penalty for India's purchase of crude oil and military equipment from Russia, will take effect on August 27. Between April and July, India's exports to the US grew by 21.64 percent, reaching $33.53 billion, while imports increased by 12.33 percent to $17.41 billion, as reported by the commerce ministry. The US was India's largest trading partner during the April-July period of 2025-26, with bilateral trade amounting to $12.56 billion. Since April this year, India's exports to the US have been showing positive growth. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
