Once we finished talking to the gentleman, we were taken to the office where a couple of girls working on their computers. We said Hey to them and they pointed out that fresh coffee was just made for us.
We pored some coffee in our paper cups and started walking towards the library, and then the gym. There were some folks looking for some books and there were also some folks busy exercising on bikes and treadmills.
We went to the back of the building an open-air facility where we saw a huge deck with a huge pool with some folks and a nice hot tub. We said Hey to them. They all knew Judy. She was very chatty with them.
Lynda and I were looking at each other, not saying anything but observing everything.
Once Judy stopped chatting with the folks in the pool, she asked us if we had any questions.
Lynda asked what’s the mechanism in place to organize social activities.
She said it is an excellent question, Lynda. She asked if she could call her Lynda. Lynda said that’s my name.
She continued – It is based on volunteers. Even though there are 360 plus retired homeowners on this park only a limited number of the folks come out to the club to do exercise/swim or participate in any social activity. Some of them have their own swim pools depending upon what kind of house they own. And some of them still working either part time or full time in casinos as we need people to work here in the casinos.
She said in any case, the volunteered owners elect the president who becomes responsible for organizing and managing the group to schedule outings, breakfasts, and any other interesting activities. As a matter of fact, they take turn to make breakfasts on Sundays, and 50 to 60 people show up.
The management contributes some money every month meet those expenses.
She said perhaps my boss already told you this, to own the property at a manufactured home on this or any other parks, one of you must be 56 years old.
No, I said I don’t remember Cliff mentioning that. I continued – I will let Lynda live with me as she’s just a kid, but I am a big boy, I turned 56 a couple of months back.
Judy said that’s the question we always must ask first.
She said another important thing you need to know is that when you buy a manufactured home on any park you will have to pay property tax to the City.
I said I thought that was given.
She said some people who build or purchase a manufactured home they think they were not required, and I just wanted to make sure that you understand it.
I asked what’s next?
She said I will take you around to show how the whole park is maintained before I take you to show the house you wanted to see.
We went along with that idea, and we were total impressed with the setup of the park and the way they were maintaining each street – Clean and nice. We were totally impressed.
Judy told us that she forgot to mention to us that they also have an Architecture Committee at this park which is responsible for deciding where the new homes can or cannot be installed. Additionally, they also need to approve the colour of your house if you decided to repaint it.
I said it only makes sense to us.
Suddenly, she stopped the car and turned towards Lynda and asked what kind of location of the house she likes?
Lynda said we lived in 12 different houses during the last 25 years, and my preference always was to find a house at the corner, facing south as I believe that will almost guarantee more sunshine, but it didn’t work for us all the time.
Judy said you lived in 12 different houses in 25 years?
Lynda said it wasn’t my doing but somebody else was responsible for that.
I wasn’t looking at either of them but staring out in the space.
Judy said, Lynda I don’t know how to tell you this. I always ask the same question about their preferred directions for their new house but very few times it matched 100 percent. However, the house you are going to see is a 100 percent match to your desired locations. Right there, she pointed out to a house across from where we were parked. See Lynda, it’s located at the corner and faces south.
Lynda was totally mesmerized. It took a couple of seconds before she spoke again. She said it could be just coincident;
Judy said maybe but at the same time it could be meant to be.
Lynda didn’t know what to say.
Judy started driving towards the pointed house and she parked the car on the driveway of a huge double garage, next to a huge shade designed for parking a RV.
I said WOW! And we all got out of the car.
Judy said I will show you the backyard first, just follow me.
We ended up in a huge backyard, facing north, across from a huge kitchen. She said there are 35 trees in the backyard, covering a reasonably huge area and the whole backyard is covered with iron fencing to protect the garden.
I was blown out of water. Fascinated with the backyard and trees.
She said to Lynda let’s go in.
Lynda looked at me as I was stopping her from going anywhere.
Lynda said he’s coming, too.
When we entered the kitchen, Lynda saw the quality of appliances and their matching furniture, she said they have a nice taste.
Judy said wait until you see their dining room. She continued by saying this house is only less than four years old. The husband had died recently, and their daughter wanted her mother to live with her and kids. Otherwise, she was very happy here.
While those ladies were still in the kitchen and moving to the dining room, I decided to see the rest of the house.
It wasn’t a huge place but well decorated. They had green carpet throughout the house on the top of it they also had green drapes to match which made house look darker.
Nevertheless, the total configuration of the house appeared to be very modern and functional. For instance, there was a small but nice reception area to welcome the visitors as soon as they entered the house. There were three doors – right to the dining room, left to the bedrooms, and straight to the kitchen.
Going to bedrooms, we had to go through a small family room which was designed to use a personal computer in the corner and a TV. It could have been used to receive a couple of visitors. The door in the family room led to a spare bedroom.
Following the family room, there was another door to an area where a huge round hot tub with a capacity of four people. There was a door which led to a huge master bedroom with the washroom and shower.
Furthermore, outside of the main entrance, there was space both sides to park flowers pots.
I never ever dreamed about living in a house like this. I waited for Lynda to finish her tour before I say anything.
When Lynda came out, Judy didn’t even ask me if I liked the house. She said she will wait for us in her Lumazine.
Lynda appeared to be very happy which was scary for me because I didn’t think she knew what I was thinking about the house which could be upsetting for her.
I asked her if she liked the house?
She said can’t you say that I like it, and it could be another dream house, but I do have some reservations.
I said I clearly understand your concerns and I will try not to upset you consciously.
She said I always knew that otherwise I wouldn’t spend my life with you, silly boy.
Lynda asked me how I felt about the house.
I had to be totally honest with her, and I remember saying to her that I was blown out of water – completely defeated, outshined, and overwhelmed with the house and the atmosphere of the park. I understand your hesitation, specifically for Adam and I share those values, too. I feel like it’s something I cannot just dismiss without giving proper consideration.
Lynda said let’s get going as she’s waiting for us in the Limousine.
As soon as we got into the Limousine, I said Judy, you have been a wonderful help. You have patience as well as skills to help clients understand the situation and we appreciated your help a lot.
She said thanks for saying but it’s my job to make you feel comfortable and I take pleasure in doing so.
When we got back, the owner was waiting for us with fresh coffee and cookies.
I said to him what I don’t understand is – why are your wasting your time with us? We are not a big fish, and we may not be interested in buying anything from you.
He looked at Lynda and asked her if I always behave like this with everybody else all the time?
She said not really. Most of the time he’s not even impressed with any status or gives a dime to money but what’s true is that he meant everything he says.
He said thanks for your help Lynda. He continued – Always I have people coming to see me and they sit right there where you both are siting, but they never stopped bull shitting me. I can smell them from a distance, and I know how to deal with them, too. I have been in this business for a couple of decades, and I learned a lot. Perhaps the most important thing that I have learned was to “gauge” people.
He said, you both are different and please don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
He asked Lynda if she liked the house.
Lynda said she liked the house a lot.
Cliff said so what’s stopping you from having the house, Lynda.
Lynda said it is indeed an interesting question as from time-to-time Mir has been reminding me that we can’t always have everything that we like.
An excellent advice but where can we go from here?
Lynda said it’s entirely up to Mir; I trust him with everything I have.
He said are you real?
I said so far so good, but we do need to talk about the house which we both like it very much.
Cliff asked if I was ready to make an offer?
I told him that before I make an offer, I wanted him to know that it is not necessarily based on any market assessment or smart angle to profit ourselves. It is impulsive and purely based on our affordability without any room for dickering. I explicitly stated the figure, asking him not to be offended. I further explained to Cliff that we were not buying the house for investment. I may consider taking an early retirement and live here full time to spend my remaining life with my beautiful wife.
Cliff said WOW! I never heard anybody speaking to me like that before. He continued while I appreciate your sincere offer, I am afraid that it’s way below my expectations and I am not authorized to accept that kind of offer.
I said I am sorry, too. I hope I didn’t upset you with my offer.
He said not at all, Mir. You have stated your position as a smart negotiator, and I respect that. However, I am wondering why you didn’t try real estates as your career instead of computers.
I remember saying to Cliff that he was giving me more credit than I deserved.
Cliff turned around and asked Lynda if she agreed to the offer?
She said she didn’t even know that he was going to make an offer. She continues, what all he asked me was, did I like the house?
He said I like you both. You are smart and successful. Perhaps the only thing I can do is to present your offer to the owner and let her decide but please don’t hold your breath.
Lynda said that indeed is more than enough for us.
I grabbed one of my business cards from my volet and gave it to Cliff, asking him to use my cell to let me know as we were planning to leave for Phoenix tomorrow around noon.
On our way to hotel, Lynda didn’t even like to talk about it. What all she said was, if you thought that was the right figure we can afford, you did the right thing. She also said now we don’t have to worry about how we would deal with Adam, etc. However, I did like the house immensely.
On that note, we wrapped it up.
