I was watching “Bonanza” last night and it was one of the greatest episodes ever! There they were – Pa, Hoss, Adam, and Little Joe all sitting around the breakfast table drinking coffee, eating flapjacks, and discussing the day’s chores around the Ponderosa and then, out of nowhere – SNAP! Pa goes on a rampage.

It was bound to happen. I mean, come on now, the boys are what 30? 35? 40-ish? You should have heard him. He starts with, “Damn boys, isn’t it about time you all found women and moved into places of your own? I mean really, even Hop Sing has his own place.” It was great.

Everyone knows someone with kids that have lived at home well-past their time. Personally, I couldn’t wait to get out of the house and go away to school. Not because I hated my home life or my parents, but because I had a burning desire to eat what I wanted - when I wanted - while sitting in a beanbag chair in the middle of the living room until the wee hours of the night. In between midnight runs for Taco Bell and beer, I did actually graduate with two degrees and a sense of purpose…although my path did veer just a bit from where I started to where I ended up.

We have two daughters; one graduating this year from high school and one finishing up her third year of elementary school. As our oldest heads to Sac State next year, we will miss her. In fact, we will miss her the entire time we are repainting her bedroom and making a hobby room out of it for my wife.

With the price of dorm fees these days, we are probably going to purchase a small condo for her to live in after her second year if she stays in Sacramento. It makes sense to buy something and have her and a friend or two rent our condo than an apartment on campus.

So if you know someone that wants their sanity back or just wants their “little cherub” to experience the world outside their own home, it’s a great time to be looking for an investment condo. Trust me, the peace and quiet is wonderful!

Ken Schrier is a licensed Realtor, as well as a certified distressed property expert, working locally for RE/Max PROs. His focus is working with buyers and sellers throughout Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Penngrove. He can be reached at 529-4819.