Dallas' housing market may be slumbering, but not in neighborhoods with new and/or updated housing. That's why it is mission-critical for real estate agents to know the latest in what homebuyers want in homes and why.

The latest trends reflect the realities of life. After September 11, 2001, a pall was cast over the nation, and people wanted to "nest" in their homes. Today, instead of cocooning, people are turning to "hiving" says Kathy Adcock-Smith, ASID. "They are doing more at home," says Adcock-Smith, "they are multitasking with entertainment, food, theater, and work."

Home design hasn't changed overnight, but it is evolving. Nesting calls for soothing, quieter colors, plushier fabrics, and lots of pillows. Hiving means livelier color, less clutter, multifunctional workspaces, and more opportunity for interactivity. Why shouldn't you want to whistle while you work - at home?

Hiving also means having more luxury at home through scaling down. Homebuyers will own fewer things, but nicer versions of those things. And real estate professionals may find themselves showing and selling more homes that have been downsized for comfory. Luxury townhomes are in. McMansions are out.

Less is more, except in one area - bathrooms. A parallel trend is that while there is more interactivity in the "public spaces" of the home, residents want more privacy, which means that en suite bathrooms perhaps decorated with lots of opaque glass will become more popular.

Plan on new homes that appeal to empty nesters, young couples and singles to downsize from four bedrooms with two baths, to three bedrooms with three full baths and a half bath for guests. Another trend is the double master suite, which reflects more democratic luxury for non-traditional families and co-owners.

Residents still want to interact in open inviting living environments, but they also want to be able to multitask at the same time. That means running a quiet dishwasher while checking e-mail at the meal-planning desk, or starting the movie in the home theater while running the closet dry-cleaning system.

Much of what Adcock-Smith says is happening is already being supported by the latest in kitchen and appliance design. Capital Distributing, Inc. president, Michael Davis says that the latest in home appliances includes details such as color display technologies in ovens, glass-door refrigerators, ultra-quiet dishwashers and appliances that serve the "hive."