I was looking at some house plans online, and one had part of the second floor open to the 1st floor. So you'd be in a loft that overlooked the living room - labeled "Open to below" on the floorplan.

And it had an optional handrail to prevent you or your kids from falling 12 feet onto your coffee table.

And I'm thinking - why the heck is that optional? Shouldn't it be ... required or something?

At least it didn't have the half-bath door open onto the dining room (a former coworker's house did this).  Because everyone wants to know when Grandma excuses herself at Christmas dinner to go "make room" for a second helping.

They mean you have an option as to what the handrail looks like.

That is, they don't choose it for you.

I looked at the floor plan. Insane.

Bargin $236,400

Standard is a half wall there, also on the staircase. If you pay extra you can get stuff like turned wood pillasters with a wood rail on top.

Hm, I watched the 3D walkthrough video. Shows an expensive handrail. So probably it's OPT meaning options, not that it's optional.

Yeah options makes way more sense than optional.

I've spent too many nights in hotel rooms to ever want neighbors just through a wall. Or above me. Or below me.

No thank you, I'm not buying there.