It is a time that bustles with activity, as blossoms turn to fruit before our very eyes. With its rapid growing season that lasts just a few months out of the year, it's quite comparable to the life- stage of those who are busily raising their families. In the fullness of their summer season, today's families spend their time attending soccer games and dropping kids off to dance, while trying to remember to call a baby-sitter for the spouse's company golf outing next Saturday. Though all the rushing around makes many long for simplicity, most wouldn't trade this time in their life for anything. And as families grow and to "move up" becomes a priority, one activity parents won't want to rush is their selection of a home in which they'll raise their children.

Emotional Investment
Today's move-up buyers span the gamut from the Baby Boomers to Generation X. As much research indicates the decisions they make, especially in housing, are a result of their impressions and attitudes formed early in life. Because Baby Boomers, for the most part, grew up with Mom at home, they were raised in relatively secure, safe environments. And now that they are parents themselves, they crave that same sense of security they remember growing up. They are not, however, looking for their parents' homes. Their need for nostalgia has transcended into a desire for informality and convenience in a home. While in the 80s they may have been interested in "keeping up with the Joneses," this group of buyers is more interested in homes that makes sense and complement their daily lifestyle. Today's move-up families are more concerned about the emotional - not financial - investment in their homes. Homes are no longer just a place to park your car and sleep at night. They are returning to society as the center of family life.

Family Focus
Without a doubt, accommodating children's' needs is the most important priority for today's move-up families. According to authors J. Walker Smith and Ann Clurman, 62 percent of today's Boomer parents say they express themselves through raising their children. Another 47 percent say they spend time with their kids to relax. This is perhaps true because fewer and fewer children have the luxury of having a parent stay home to raise them. In housing, that translates to big entertainment rooms, large backyards and open kitchens that can accommodate a whole family wanting to spend time together.

Separation
Yet, as much as move-up buyers need homes with places to interact, they need places to get away, if need be. With the varied activities of today's family, some separation is necessary whether it be for homework, office work or simply time to oneself. This means the home must have separate areas, such as bedrooms for each child, master suites with a quiet sitting area, or even a den that's away from it all.

Entertainment Centers
Baby Boomers were the first generation to grow up watching television as a daily activity. Their counterparts, Generation X, have doubled their viewing time in front of the tube. Consequently, family rooms and entertainment centers are important lifestyle features. User-friendly, home automation systems are also popular with today's move-up buyer. The countless remote controls scattered across dens and family rooms are testament to the need for an organized system that makes sense. These "smart" homes appeal to their busy lifestyle, especially for the technologically savvy Generation X family.

Home Offices
As the family focus continues, and as computer technology continually advances, more and more adults are choosing to take advantage of the opportunity to work out of their homes. Because of this, home offices are one of the biggest requests from today's move-up buyer. Having a separate, dedicated space to work, not only makes working out of the home more efficient, it also helps keep work space separate from the family living area.