A strange world

Just flipped on the teev briefly to "Days of Our Lives", only to hear an English accent.

Strange, I thought.

Hang on, I know that face...and she's talking to a character about landmines and prosthetic legs.

Oh Jesus, it's Heather Mills-MacCartney. Playing herself. Check it out here.

Life is wonderfully bizarre sometimes, isn't it?

Double bugger.

I just wrote a heartfelt but ultimately postive post about my latest adventure in real estate.

Then Blogger buggered up and thanks to a "system error", didn't post it.

To paraphrase Tourism Australia: BLOODY HELL.

So I lost out on house #6, which is a real shame, as it was really lovely.

I missed out, I missed out - I can't get too angry about that as it came down to simple economics. I offered everything I had but in the end the seller decided to hold out for 15-20K more.

What I AM peeved off about is that they had my offer in writing for EIGHT days before finally informing me it wouldn' t be enough. They could have saved me almost a week of waiting and worrying by simply showing me, the buyer, some respect and telling me 5 or 6 days ago that "Sorry, it's not going to be enough. We don't want to waste any more of your time". I feel now that they kept me hanging on until they got the second (higher) offer yesterday that allowed them to just throw mine on the dustheap like so many Jessica Simpson albums.

As you might be able to tell - this experience isn't doing much to improve my opinion of sellers or the agents representing them. And as for being a buyers' market - bah.

I'm trying to keep some perspective on all things by remembering:

1) Cyclone Larry has left thousands of north Queenslanders with nothing save a long hard road of re-building ahead. I wish them all the best and applaud their spirit and bravery.

2)While cleaning out my wallet, I found a small affirmation given to me by the Wah some time ago. It reminded me I've had far greater problems in my life that I've overcome, and therefore nothing is insurmountable.

But still, it's hard to avoid the sense of disappointment with every contract rejected. Because I AM looking for a home, a place of my own, every offer represents a bit of hope and excitement. I just need some time after each rejection to pick myself up again. I'm keen to ring the agents of this latest place and express my disappointment at how I've been treated - and I think I could do it without being emotional. But we'll see.

In the meantime, I wish for a long holiday in far off climes. But that's a daily longing, really. ;)

Cheers all, Natalie.

Bugger.

Ah well, I always knew it was a long shot. But the experience has confirmed my hatred of "old guys with money". Damn baby boomers, they have all the cash and can just wander in and blow your offer away.

For those not up to speed, yes I went to another auction on Saturday. The townhouse was white, freehold, lovely, very liveable. But apparently not affordable. ;)

I'm working on writing a piece about my experiences so far with real estate - it's just in my head at the moment, but rest assured the words "grubby", "greedy" and "demoralising" get a fair workout. I'm also cementing in my previously expressed views that the real estate industry hides its seedy side with a veil of mysticism - which everyone accepts despite its obvious idiocy. Destiny, fate, vibes, "you'll know it when you see it" are all words and phrases commonly batted around by agents, sellers, buyers, men on the street, women in the pub - everyone just accepts them.

The reality is simpler - got cash, get house. That's all there is to it baby.

I've walked into numerous houses where I've thought "You know, I could live here". Why else would I put god-damn offers on them? Yes I blew a few things, I got nervous, I got cocky....but at the end of the day, I didn't have the cash.

Well, lookie there. I've started crapping on already. Should be able to form that into some sort of coherent thesis at some point.

For now, gentle reader/s, go enjoy your Monday night's Oscar viewing. Ridicule the below-par fashions and work on your own Oscar speech. Mine changes every year! ;)

Natalie.

Prayer is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Please.

Let all the stars and planets align on this one day.

Let my already incredible amount of luck hold for just today.

I have extra reasons now; if I didn't have enough already.

I'm prepared, I'm equipped, I'm nervous but staying positive.

Let me go home.

Natalie.