The Speed Family Finds Their Dream Home in a Next Gen®

CENTRAL VALLEY, Calif. - May 25, 2016 - PRLog -- When Yolanda and Donald Speed were looking for a new home, they kept their adult son in mind, Donald Jr., who was away at college. "I knew everything that I needed in a home," said Yolanda. "The Next Gen® home was perfect."

Lennar's Next Gen® - The Home Within A Home® provides an attached private suite that includes a separate entrance, living room, kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom and laundry area, making it basically like two homes under one roof.

"When I came back home from school and saw the Next Gen® home, I fell in love," Donald Jr. said. "I was like, 'oh mom, I have to stay here.' So she said, 'well, let's get it then.'"

Donald Sr. knew it was the right fit from the very beginning, "I immediately loved it," he said. "I loved the idea that our son can have his own space without bothering ours. He gets the freedom, but at the same time, he's close enough that we can keep a good eye on him."

That became crucial when Donald Jr. was involved in a terrible car accident, causing him to return home in a wheelchair. Both parents became grateful for their Next Gen® home for reasons they hadn't even imagined. The Next Gen® suite turned out to be the perfect place for Donald Jr. to recover.

"He was able to transition from rehabilitation a lot sooner, because his Next Gen® suite was so easy to make wheelchair accessible." Said Yolanda. "His rehab team came out to do a home assessment and saw that this really is the ideal set-up for someone who's disabled, someone who needs assistance."

Not only was Donald Jr. able to transition out of rehab early, once he was home, he was able to get out of his wheelchair a month faster than predicted. "The Next Gen® gave him the freedom to get better faster and he was able to bear some weight a little bit quicker," Yolanda said. "It enabled him to move faster. He was able to really utilize his space to move around, and that I think helped him the most."

And now that Donald Jr. is back on his feet, the Next Gen® benefits are still paying off.

"Living here definitely helps me focus on school, as well as not having that extra load of paying rent and bills." Donald Jr. said. "It's a tremendous load off my shoulders."

Donald Sr. and Yolanda, who spent a lot of time helping their son, feel grateful and love having their son close by.

"The Next Gen® is perfect for empty nesters because if you have a child, for whatever reason, he has a place to come home to," said Donald Sr. "And because of that, it does make you closer."

Yolanda agreed. "I really feel that having a Next Gen® has brought our family closer, it allows me as a parent to see my son as an adult and to assist him as an adult," she said. "I have everything I need in the Lennar Next Gen® home - I feel a home has to serve the needs of your family, this home has served the needs of ours."

And Donald Jr.? Well, he loves having his personal space.

"Having your own living room and kitchen is really wonderful. I get to chill and hang back with my friends, and not disturb anybody in the other side of the house. I mean I have my own bathroom and laundry room, so I don't have to go into my parents' space to do my own laundry," Donald Jr. said. "My favorite part would have to be just being at home, because you know you're safe. That makes me that much happier."

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With hundreds of communities nationwide and homes designed for first-time, move-up and luxury homebuyers, Lennar has grown to become one of the nation's leading and most respected homebuilders and proudly remains steadfast in their commitment toward quality, value and integrity. Lennar has a longstanding history of building exceptional homes in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.