What to look for
There's no single right layout. Some families want a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor for aging parents; others want two more separate living areas, like a guest suite with its own entrance or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Kitchen size, quiet space for working from home often factor in as well.
Where to look
I work across Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, San Marino, La Cañada Flintridge, the Hollywood Hills and Arcadia. Each has a different mix of older single-level homes, larger newer construction, and lots with ADU potential, so it helps to compare rather than focus on just one city.
Planning for the future
If your family is thinking about adding a bedroom suite or an ADU down the road, I can point out homes and lots that may make that more realistic. Zoning limits, permitting requirements and construction budgets vary by city, so I always recommend confirming specifics with the city's planning department and a licensed contractor before you buy with that plan in mind.
A note on family preferences
If a home's layout or features matter to you for personal reasons, tell me and I'll factor them into the search.