Two New York City natives and their children are packing up and heading down to Washington, D.C., for a new job. Both musicians, they'd like a home in the hip suburb of Takoma Park, Md., with plenty of room for a rehearsal and recording space.

An international pilot and his retired flight attendant wife are looking to buy a vacation home in Palm Springs. But he's looking for a traditional Spanish-style abode, while she wants mid-century modern.