13 Signs I’ve Turned into a FLAT FINDING FREAK

1. Instead of opening my gmail and facebook first like I usually do, I open realestate.com.au to check for new listings.

2. Instead of looking out for hot guys in the tram, I look out the window to catch glimpses of for lease signs and real estate agencies I somehow missed.

3. I understand real estate linggo likE: OFI, BIR, CPI and all the others.

4. When I hear a number I automatically divide it by 2 or 3 (the number of people who are going to occupy the flat with me) and then multiply it by 4 (number of weeks in a month).

5. Even the shopoholic in me lost interest in clothes, shoes, bags and make-up. When in the mall, I gravitate towards homeware shops selling Manchester (bed clothes), kitchen supplies and bathroom essentials.

Living in Limbo

Almost a week in and I am still homeless. This is not something I anticipated. I thought in two days I’ll have settled in somewhere but I am still living out of my suitcase having to eat every meal out and carrying my toiletries in whenever I have to take a shower.

I am lucky enough to have found friends who so generously offered their spare room for me to crash in while I go on a hunt for a place to live. They are the most accommodating people but I would hate to invade their space for so long. Already I am so indebted to Mariel and Paolo for being the nicest, most caring and considerate people to crash with for a few days..

My friend Hella and I have been stalking real estate agencies and websites to find the most viable options for a home. We’ve gone to countless (8 in one day last Saturday!) inspections. Trudging in and out of  other people’s flats and houses. It’s quite fun if it wasn’t so exhausting having to race all over town to get through to the 15 minute window of inspection times. We’ve formed our own codes made up of raised eyebrows (eeew…this bathroom would just NOT do), a few blinks (look at the size of this kitchen!) and wide eyes (for. Oh. My. God. I can so see myself living here!). After walking out of the inspection sites we walk for blocks discussing what we REALLY thought of the place (the thoughts we didn’t articulate to the property manager of course). We’ve worked out comprises like: it’s ok to pay this much for it coz it’s close to town and we don’t have to bother with tram tickets; I could live in this dinginess only because the location is just perfect; or wow it’s okay if this is too far out because this flat is AWESOME.