the adventures of pinkaholic girl

surprise!

One of the more delightful benefits of moving out is the random phone calls from real estate agents who want to show prospective tenants around. It's just like a surprise inspection, only there's no reward at the end of it, e.g. no rise in the amount of rent you pay. You just have to furiously clean the place, hide away your valuables, and pretend that the apartment was always like this while you've been staying here.

We've had two phone calls for prospective tenants already, one outside of the 14 day period when we're obliged to let the real estate agents have access to the property. Ordinarily I wouldn't be too bothered, but a) our real estate agents are thick as a pile of bricks, and b) they don't seem to understand the concept of "advance warning". Our conversations went something like this:

Agent: Hi, it's Justin from the real estate, I was wondering if I could show people around your apartment this Saturday?
Me: Uh... not a good idea. The place should probably be cleaned first. (read: people probably don't want to see the cockroach traps, and we have to hide away all our valuables).
Agent: Oh, that's okay! (fake laugh) we always show apartments when people are moving. I'm not bothered by the mess.
Me: (stoic) We are. And isn't this Saturday before the 14 day period?
Agent: It is, but we've had so much demand for this property! It's been very well received.
Me: Interesting. (hops online, finds it listed for $35 per week MORE than what we are currently paying. Insanity!)
Agent: So can we do Saturday?
Me: (pause) We'd really prefer not to.
Agent: Well, okay. (fake laugh) How about next Saturday?
Me: Fine.
Agent: (more fake laugh) okay, I'm going to hold you to that one!
Me: Whatever.

Cut to the next week

Agent: Hi, it's Charles from the real estate here, can I make an appointment to show tenants around tomorrow? (note: time of phone call was 5:54pm)
Me: Say, didn't you people call up earlier last week to arrange an appointment for next saturday?
Agent: Oh, really?
Me: Yeah. Really. Nasally guy with a fake laugh - answers to the name of Justin?
Agent: OH! you've been speaking to Justin?
Me: No - I made him up. Listen, perhaps you people should employ an assistant, or even outlook to coordinate these phone calls.
Agent: Let me just check with Justin and get back to you.
Me: holding my breath.

I can't wait for further adventures of moving out, including Packing Up My Life Into Small Boxes, Cancelling Utilities, Working Out What To Throw Away Instead Of Moving It, Heaving Furniture Lifting, Dusting (part 1), Cleaning The Bathroom Till Shiny and Dividing Up Household Posessions. It will be an interesting two weeks.

posted by d @ 2:23 pm