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Kate Wagner of McMansion Hell argued that this architectural incoherence stems, in fact, from the modern homebuyer’s saturation in Zillow and Redfin.

It has to do, most of all, with what a certain class of homebuyer even believes a house to be—whether they realize it or not.

Saiz also acknowledged the unique challenges of becoming a first-time homebuyer, especially considering that the average American has around $8,000 in liquid cash savings, compared to the median down payment currently standing at more than $60,000.

Economic challenges keeping the average homebuyer out of the market — including higher mortgage rates, fewer available homes and flattening wage growth — aren’t deterring those with more resources at their disposal.

Twenty years ago, someone like Michelle Scharlock could have been a typical first-time Seattle homebuyer — a 30-something with a good job and a deep desire to put down roots in what was then still a fashionably quirky city.