What spaces does it connect?

Is it the only way to access those spaces?

I wouldn't want one in my permanent house. We rented a house while looking to buy in a new area and it had a spiral staircase as the only access between main floor and second floor. We took the room upstairs, so that the elementary age kids had the downstairs rooms and wouldn't have to use it daily.

That house sold soon after we rented it and the first thing the new owners did was redesign the space to remove the circular staircase and replace it with a standard one.

I have stayed places with a spiral stairs and greatly disliked it. I did not like using it and really had difficulty if you have to carry things up or down.

" What changes could or should be made to make people feel more comfortable using it? "

Take it out. I realize this is close to impossible but anyone looking to buy this home it will be a huge deterrent. Quite honestly it is not a matter of IF someone will fall down them, only WHEN. Spiral Stairs should NEVER be a primary stair.

It sounds like you don't have many options if you can't install a "regular" staircase.

Not without bumping out over the driveway , honestly it's been a great home for the last 24 years.

It's up to you, but if you price it right, let the next owners make the decision. I wouldn't change it just to sell, at least not without having it on the market first.

No. Oh no. No no no no no. Would not ever buy the house if that were the only staircase unless it were steeply discounted and I had the funds to replace it. Not only is it spiral, it's open-backed. That is an accident waiting to happen. You've been fortunate it hasn't happened to you. Yet.

Spirals detract greatly from livability, usability, and home value. You have to get rid of it.

The right buyer will be ok with it. the house is what it is. Small, suitable for a single or couple. The market is specific. You’ve loved it for almost 20 years. Someone else will too.

There are many condos here with spiral staircases, and many houses here with old box winder stairs. Most of the condos will have a second means of egress in which to get furniture in the upper level, most of the house have either a second/third floor door instead of a window, or a sash window that is easily removed to get things in and out of the upstairs.

People buy them because that is what is available at a certain size or price point. I lived in an apartment that had place-built winders in a square stairwell so they were a little easier than the round, but one of my main objectives in house hunting was to get into a house with straight stairs. I felt like eventually I would have aged out of those stairs.

The question I have is: Are some of the other houses in your neighborhood still one story houses with attics that are still closed off? Is yours of larger square footage because of this attic space? If the house is complete on one level and the attic space is like a bonus bedroom and bath maybe it will appeal to someone in that regard. If that level contained the only bedrooms and people were forced to use it daily, it could be a different story. I think it is going to be a deterrent to some, but if the other houses in the neighborhood do not utilize that extra space at all, some people will like it.

It does narrow your buyer pool, but as auntthelma said, usually the deal is right buyer, right price. You would need to adjust your expectations, be more impartial ( we usually think our homes are more valuable than the buyers do). So you need a good agent, a good idea of your “comps”, without the staircase issue, such as location, sq ft/ # of rooms, house’s condition, desirable things about floorplan, finishes. Then I just assume some kind of pricing somewhat below what a more “ universal “ or conventional type layout, but not fire-sale. You could also potentially get estimates for replacing the staircase, but it seems very difficult to get any hard $$$ numbers in any kind of quick estimate ( compared to really diving in with architect, builder, timeframe re: cost of materials). It seems it would be “ expensive “ plus maybe 2x that. So, it’s not like pricing for cost of replacing a roof or re- doing the floors. I am not a RA so I don’t know the strategy for pricing close enough vs. saving significant room for negotiaton.

It might be that in this situation you need to pay especially more attention to other types of preparations, things that ARE easy to change to spark buyers’ interest, but it’s hard to see how that would be much different from normal prep— clean-clean-clean, tidy yard, light bulbs etc, because again it’d not be useful to spend much $$ trying to anticipate this particular pool of buyers’ taste , which could include those that plan to replace staircase but can live with it for awhile. It could sell unexpectedly fast, or sit on market awhile waiting for right buyer, so you in some way would need to figure out your own selling, moving, renting/buying options. Not be in a situation where you HAVE to jump ship quickly ( meaning no longer own it & keep up maintenance) , & dump it. Sometimes this means being flexible enough to put it in the market earlier than later, to test the waters. So, the whys of your own thoughts of selling figure in.

it's a very small bungalow

Leave it. From what I can see, you have a bright, cute space that will appeal to singletons & young couples. And maybe even older buyers if the other existing bedrooms/ bath can be combined into a master suite.

Where I lived before a spiral staircase inside required an access to the upper floor from outside with the proper stairs We had also converted an attic to a master . Not sure why the neighbors are using the stairs to your master Maybe I am not understanding where this spiral is . As I sai it would not meet code where I was . The reason is emegency crews cannot get a stretcher up and carry someone out I do agree leave and let the next gy do whatever as long as it passes the inspection for the sale.

Had small 19th century house in historic neighborhood that had original staircase removed before I bought it and had a spiral staircase as only access to both second and third floor. Daughter (then in 20s) lived in it for seven years. Only change she made to steps was to put spiral stair carpet pads on each step when her German Shepherd got older and metal steps became harder to navigate.

House became rental for next ten years- didnt have any problem keeping it fully rented.

It sold for full price and no inspection/fast settlement on the day it was listed. Think you should just leave your house as it is now.

So sorry, but I’m on the “no way would I buy this” team. I would not want to tackle putting in new stairs either, even considering buying at a reduced price. Sorry.

I lived in Philly where spiral staircases were the cheap solution to adding a second floor. I refused to look at any places with them. There will be plenty of people who won't want your home because of this, but the right buyer will be fine with you. It could take you longer to find them, meaning you'll have to lower your price. But, that will still likely be cheaper than building new stairs.

How did you get your furniture up there?

Spiral staircases look cool and solve a space issue, but, I couldn't buy your house at my age. Trying to get a basket full of laundry would be the end of me.

There are some options and you should speak to a carpenter. I say carpenter because often there is amazing talent hiding in the word. We have a friend who is a carpenter. His work is beyond gorgeous. His specialty? Staircases.

Thinking maybe something like this stairway could be done:

Put your house in the market after speaking to at least 3 realtors. Only they will know if this spiral staircase will be a huge hinderance -or not.

If you’re not in a hurry, price it fairly and see what happens.

Everyone forgets that the main benefit of a sprial stair is the living space real estate it saves. Code stairs take up room; lots of it.

The American society has grown a lot in the past few decades and (unfortunately) are getting larger by the year. It is a very pretty space and you will find the right (and fit) person, couple, or family for it.