My Real Estate Telenovela had another surprise plot twist today. Before I headed toward Vancouver, I got a call from the property manager (hereafter referred to as PM) at Quail Hollow that blew my mind. Remember the couple who wanted to stay in their house for a month after Closing? I told PM how they blew the deal & we were sad together.
She didn't see or talk to them until yesterday. She dropped by to check on them & they were packing like mad to be out of their house before the end of the month because they thought they had accepted my offer! Apparently, the outrageous counter-offer was invented by their realtor who they cussed out. PM gave me their phone number so that we can talk directly about a renewed deal.
I decided to go house hunting to help me decide what to do about that. The best house I saw for the same price also needs carpets replaced w/ wood veneer flooring & paint on the walls. But, it had no landscaping. at. all. The entire community was covered in asphalt paving right up to the skirts of the MFH's. Keeps maintenance expenses low especially melting off winter snows, I reckon. But it's bleak & probably generates significant heat during Summer.
Quail Hollow has mature bushes & trees thru-out & homeowners create interesting gardens in the small spaces they have. It feels more homey.
Also, a side adventure: One house we intended to see was located in a very low-rent trailer park that resembled a homeless encampment. I honked my horn & gestured, "Let's get out of here!" Seriously, there were wild-haired, grizzled dudes staggering along the narrow lane.
Another side adventure: Siri did it again. The day I went down to Tigard, I also drove back thru Portland to see another house in Fairview. The house was not worth the trip. Talking thru my car window to the realtor, I said, "I'm had it w/ traffic today. My nerves are shot."
Then following her instructions, I was guided to NE Marine Drive, which clings to the edge of the Columbia River without any guardrails. Looking to my right showed a steep grassy embankment plunging to deep navy blue water. Oh my. The speed limit is 45mph & there are is no passing allowed. Eventually on my left was the Portland Airport. But there were no pull-offs to watch the jets take-off & land. I locked in cruise control & relaxed. Siri done good w/ her choice to avoid traffic. But, doing shit like that is still weird.
