Tuesday 3 July 2012

High Hopes

Have I mentioned I have been temporarily living with my parents?

Now this was all well and good in theory whilst I was jet-setting around the world (not quite around the whole world, but 4 different Asian countries which I feel was a fair effort in a short period) but is less ideal in practice.

My parents are wonderful people, but they are my parents and they frustrate me. They're 72 and 62, so are well and truly allowed to be a touch grumpy and irritable. They are also at the stage of life where their grandkids are visiting all the time, whooping it up loudly every day and making it impossible to study. All perfectly age-appropriate things to be happening in your home.


Source. They arent quite this grumpy, but you get the gist.

Not so appropropriate for myself and my studies.

The problem is, being a student, I quite enjoy paying only a small amount of rent. I'm partial to the measly portion, shall we say.

Realistically, I work part-time and can't afford a whole unit by myself. Or I can- but when things crop up like time to buy school books, my rego is due, or I have time off for work placements I will be in a spot of trouble.

So that leaves either a sharehouse or moving out with Billasaurus Rex. I'm not ready for that quite yet- I would like more time of being a "grown-up" by myself before I hitch myself to someone elses wagon.

Sharehouse is a viable option and looking like the only one until...

I found a bedsit advertised in my local paper ridiculously cheap. Like- $50 a week cheaper than any other sharehouse listing in the suburb that would be the most convenient for me to live in!

After a quick google search on what on earth a bedsit was, and an even quicker tour of the illustrious residence, I have completed an application form and currently have my fingers, toes and all other bits crossed!

Basically the property is at the back of someones home, but with its own driveway and entrance. The only thing I would have to share with the owner is the clothesline- there is even a fence between the main property and the bedsit.

The bedsit is in essence a large bedroom with a kitchen built in there, so space will be an issue but to have privacy? Worth it!


Source
I can still entertain, but one guest dinner parties only.

What is even more exciting is that the tenant in there in the moment is moving interstate and is willing to leave ALL OF HER FURNITURE! That's right, fridge, freezer, wardrobe, kitchen buffet, table, couch, pantries, breakfast bench stools, TV, DVD Player, computer desk....all of it!

It's not all to my taste, but if its free and I know it fits in the bedsit, I'd be an idiot to knock it back. If some of the items really bother me later on down the track I can always replace or find them another home.

The bathroom is a separate building only half a meter from the rest of the bedsit. It could get VERY COLD in the morning going that half a meter to the toilet and shower, but no big deal.


Source

It can't be this cold, can it? Even if it can, atleast my toilet wouldnt be pink. And i'm certainly not shitting sticks.













The only stumbling block- is that there were a giant swarm of other people applying. It is literally one of the cheapest rentals in all of Geelong so competition is fierce.

I made sure to call and enquire about the property with the real estate company, and had a pleasant chat with the Property Manager. I went to the inspection with the application already filled out and a cover letter explaining why I would be an excellent tenant. The decision will be made on Monday or Tuesday.

Can you recommend any other tips for getting this property I so clearly have my hopes set on?

22 comments:

  1. Most tips I could give you are past that point - I used to work as a property manager. Your presentation and attitude at the viewing/when meeting the property manager is really important as well as a neat application (don't spill anything on it etc) and make sure your references are easy to contact and will give you a glowing reference (how clean you are, reliable, pay bills on time etc). Past that the choice is that of the owner. The fact you wrote a cover letter is something special, never seen that done before!
    Goodluck!!

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    1. Thanks for the luck! Do people really spill things on their applicaitons?! I bet you've seen it all.

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  2. No tips but a MASSIVE GOODLUCK!!! I know how streesful the wait period is, fingers and toes are crossed for you!

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    1. Thanks Jazminella, you're right, it is stressful!

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  3. Offer more rent if possible - even an extra $10 a week could get you over the line. Offer to pay a couple of months rent upfront if you can afford it. Make it well known to the agent how much you love the property. Good work on the cover letter!

    We recently did all of these things and secured my dream house, which I thought we would have no chance of gettingas a billion people looked at it AND my boyfriend had a crap rental history - he previously paid rent but never on bloody time! I had no rental history as I always lived in mine or my parents houses. So I think these little tips did get us over the line. BUT my boyfriend is also super hot, so perhaps he just charmed the ladies in the office!

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  4. P.S Good luck, and at first I thought they were your parents until I saw the caption...

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    1. They arent my parents, mine are even grumpier though. Just kidding! Gah dodgy rent paying boyfriend- he is lucky he has those looks to fall back upon eh?

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  5. good luck!! hope it all goes well. Ive never heard of a bedsit before, sounds cosy though! did i spell cosy right? LOL omg im turning into a real fob these days lol

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    1. Thanks kerker! I hadnt either, but cosy is the right word. Its a nice way of saying - fuck all storage and where on earth am I going to store my towels?!

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  6. Good luuccckkkk!
    I totally get the grandkids thing, every time we visit my in-laws my head explodes from the 3 little screaming miniature humans.

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    1. Thanks MrsB! You'd think I'd be more patient, for a future primary school teacher! Lol, glad i'm not alone.

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  7. No advice, as it sounds like you've done everything that you can to put your case forward to the decision makers! Good luck, and I really hope you get it. You are the perfect person for it, and I'm sure that they'll see that with all the effort you've put in!

    Just one thing I have to say... don't be too disappointed if you don't get it. One thing that my recent house-hunt has taught me is that there's always another suitable one out there, even if you don't think so. I saw plenty of places I HAD to have, because there was no other like it, whether it be price-wise, suitablity, location, etc. But there is actually a lot out there.

    If it's meant to be, it will be yours! I have my fingers and toes every so tightly crossed for you! xx

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    1. Thanks for the good luck wishes Cat, I was actually thinking about you and your blog when I was filling out the application, and how things still can work out for the best!

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  8. Sounds like you've done everything you need to. You're a 'single' female so you are probably in a better place to begin with, sad as it is. The fact that English is your first language is also likely to work in your favour, as much as no one would actually say so.

    Plus being happy to take on all the existing furniture might be a extra point, maybe..

    Good luck :-) I hope you get it x

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    1. Thankyou for the extra luck! Surely all of these internet strangers/beloved blog friends with their fingers crossed means something to the universe and its powers, right?

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  9. Good luck! I don't have any additional tips but having a cover letter is a great idea, I might have to keep that in mind next time I'm applying for a rental.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer! Remains to be seen if it makes a difference, but I hope it did!

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  10. good luck lovely! I think you've done pretty well so far in terms of your application, from my experience in working in a real estate agents, the property managers mostly pick who they like and who they remembered! so setting yourself apart a bit by writing a cover letter, handing in your application at the inspection and chatting with the property manager are all helpful!

    fingers and toes are crossed for you! xx

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    1. Thanks Rachel! Sometimes it feels there is no rhyme or reason why they pick who they do, so glad youve got your fingers and toes crossed for me!

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  11. No advice.. just don't drag a cat with you while meeting them. :)

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    1. I...won't? I dont have a kitty, but I can promise you I definitely wont be stealing a neighbourhood cat to present at the inspection.

      I feel like there is a story behind your comment. A blog post maybe?

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