If stairs occupy the entire stairwell, what should they be included in?

When determining what to include in the Gross Living Area (GLA) of a property, one must take into account spaces that contribute to the overall living area available for use. Stairs that occupy the entire stairwell are considered part of the usable living space when calculating GLA because they provide essential access between different levels of the home.

GLA typically encompasses all finished, heated spaces within a dwelling, including basements, attics (if finished), and all floors connected by accessible staircases. Given that stairs transition from one floor to another, they play a vital role in the home's livability and must be included in the GLA calculation to provide an accurate representation of the space available to the inhabitants.

Including stairs in the Gross Living Area ensures all elements that facilitate living or usable space are counted, reflecting the functional size of the home for potential buyers, appraisers, and agents.