This is neither the time, nor the place, to bring up the entire AFCI fracas. Yet, there are a few other points to consider:

First, there are many, many places that operate either under older editions of the NEC, or have specifically declined to accept the AFCI requirements. A home in such a place need not have them ... at all. (Whether they're a good idea ia a whole different discussion).

Second, even under the 08 NEC, I believe they overlooked the stairways - which need neither GFCI nor AFCI protection. (oops!)

Third, the 08 NEC has 'eased' restrictions on the use of AFCI devices. Therefor, we may no longer assume that AFCI's will be in the panels. This, of course, has obvious implications for places with older panels.

Finally ... even if I were a fan of AFCI's, I'd wait a bit. The AFCI required by the 08 code is NOT the AFCI we've been using these past few years. Indeed, this might be more of an inspection issue in a few years - the presence of 'simple' AFCI's in panels that should have used 'combination' types. (I see many a migraine in the future from this detail).