The Home Hunt and Condo Cleaning have not ceased. I've simply had less time to blog, especially since my Mom arrived for a happy week long visit.

No real updates I've seen in the housing market nor mortgage market to report either.

The only thing that's been on my mind for a bit about this all - other that the still over arching question of do I wait a year? - is why are stairs so important to me?

My buying realtor asked me that on our second round of house visits in Ann Arbor. Why am I so against ranches and want stairs? My immediate answer is one my Dad gave a few years ago. He said that he much prefers two story houses because "you are supposed to go upstairs to go to bed". Basically, it's a signifier, and possibly even a conditioning effect.

Stairs are also a separator, they effectively and quietly make half the house private from guests and visitors. In my condo now, when people come over I have to close my bedroom door. Typically that's because of all the little ones who visit that need to be kept out of a room not at all baby proofed, but there are some occasions where it's because I don't want what's in my bedroom to be seen by people who pass by on their way to use the bathroom.

But when I had a little time to think, I believe the real reason I want stairs is much simpler. When I was growing up, every morning after I got ready for school I would go sit on the stairs with my hairbrush and wait for Mom to get up. When she did, she'd come sit on the stairs behind me and brush my hair. Once she was done, I'd go to school. 4 years in an apartment and 6 years in a house, my Mother brushed my hair nearly every morning, even up through High School. I think stairs remind me of the mother-daughter time we had.

Labels: Home Buying