a conversation
me: Hi, I’m calling about the rental house you have listed on craigslist.
him: Yeah.
me: Um, I have a few questions and was wondering if you have any more information?
him: Yeah.
me: *pause* *wait for him to give more information*
me: Um, okay, what’s the square footage of the house?
him: Hah, that’s a silly first question.
me: (thinking…what’s so silly about that?!)
him: I don’t know. Probably about a thousand.
me: And what appliances come with it?
him: A fridge. Stove. Washer and dryer hook ups.
me: Okay, and the big question. We’re not moving until July 26. Would that work for you?
him: *laughter* Nah. At this price, this thing’s gonna go fast. *more laughter*
me: Okay. Thanks. Bye. *hangs up phone* *looks at phone in disgust* Rude! I didn’t want to rent from you anyways.
This conversation did take place about three weeks ago, when July 26 was still over a month away. But it is fairly typical of the conversations I’ve had while looking for a place to live in Wichita. Judging by the reactions we’ve gotten when we tell landlords when we want to move, people don’t typically plan ahead when they move. Now that we’re three weeks away from our move-in date, hopefully someone will be willing to talk to me!
I’m sure knowing that God has a plan is somewhat comforting, but sometimes we’d like to know what that plan is ahead of time! I’m not sure I’d want to rent from Mr. Laughs-a-Lot anyway!
You: The sewer is backing up into our house…
Him: *laughter* Heh. Yeah. Good luck with that. *more laughter*
I’m feeling like a nice apartment is in your future. Smaller, maybe, but it might come with a pool and a gym and a car port.
Good luck on the house hunting. I think one of your questions should also be, “does it have a basement?” It’s that time of year!
We found a place! A nice, big duplex…two story, with a basement and a garage. 1200 square feet, which is probably bigger than the house I grew up in. Nice neighborhood with several close parks. Botanical gardens only a mile away. And we move two weeks from today!