"The empty-nester is into bigger rooms and shedding the number of rooms within their home,' says Robert Dame, of Carmichael & Dame Designs in Houston, TX. "They still want a dining room and a flex room for use other than a bedroom."

In-law suites or second master suites are a popular element in Mark Poulin's market, where he says 99 percent of his buyers are empty nesters. It has even proven to be a popular element in the ultimate test for all trends - homes he has designed and built on speculation.

"Many of our buyers have guests, such as family members, that come and stay with them for extended periods of time. Buyers want the extra master suite for that reason."

It's because the empty-nester market will eventually be so big, that Linda Reimer says she is watching it so closely. "I truly believe that there will come a day when our homes will have to reflect the needs of the aging Americans - such as wider doorways and hallways for easier accessibility. Benches in showers, homes with no steps at all, more accessible closets and even sinks with adjusting heights are going to become a factor that those of us in design won't be able to ignore."