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Time Wasters??

Many years ago, well not that long ago really – ok, so it was 40 years ago! A young lady applied for a job as secretary/P.A. to my fledgling estate agency at Gants Hill. I was at that time ready, and almost able, to pay the princely weekly sum of £9, Monday to Friday with a whole 2 weeks paid holiday per year.

She wanted £10 per week and we eventually settled on £9 – 10 shillings.

Yes those were the days!

Well, believe it or not, Frances is still “on the firm” albeit at a few less days and a few more pounds (in weight) and money!

I asked her the other day if she ever considered retirement, “what and give up show business” she replied. Yes, property can be an exciting and addictive business, but it can also try your patience on occasions.  

Well the telephone rings a little more often these days, albeit with the same number of, what she affectionately called, timewasters and their cards were marked accordingly with T.W. in the corner.

Time has taught her, and me, that in reality there is no such thing as a T.W. They are just people with the very best intentions yet not quite ready to make a move at that particular time.

This can mean that the request that “It must be detached and only in Chigwell  at a maximum of £900,000” could end up with the buyer settling for a large semi in the heart of High Beech at close to £2 million.

Some buyers have been on our books for their second or even third anniversary but at some time or other they all buy.

Equally there are those who, even today, when valuation is even more of an art, can make immediate decisions. Just a few weeks ago, my old friend Peter Yeung famed for the area’s premier Chinese restaurants The Mandarin Palace at Gants Hill & Marbella Spain and that architectural Elizabethan gem The Rodings at Abridge introduced me to a charming couple from Hong Kong who had set their budget at a maximum of £700,000 for a quality homes in Chigwell.

After much discussion they realised that even in these days a substantial £700,000 will not go very far in acquiring one of Chigwell’s premier homes.

I ended up showing them 3 superb properties, all of which were situate in premier positions. They settled on a lovely house overlooking Chigwell Golf Course at, would you believe it, just over £1.5 million.

As they did not speak more than a few words of English, it was far from the easiest negotiations but thanks to Peter’s interpreting skills it all went well and they completed the purchase just 4 weeks later. 

Frances in her inexperienced years may have rashly pre-judged them as T.W.'s which reinforces the old adage that there is no substitute for experience and patience, something to remember when you are next deciding which estate agent should handle your most valuable and prized possession before rashly instructing the one that quotes the highest "valuation" and the lowest commission.   

Talking about T.W.'s As an obsessive golfer I was as shocked as anyone else at the Tiger Woods saga. Having been a reasonably proficient golfer and captain of the celebrated Abridge Golf & Country Club in the mid 90's I have been part of a regular Wednesday fourball for the past 25 years. I was amazed that one of our number for the first time since we started, cried off a few weeks ago without any excuse.

When I pressed him some weeks later for a reason he sheepishly admitted that his delightful and very beautiful wife, who was about to celebrate a very "special" birthday had persuaded him to accompany her on a shopping trip in Town.

I could not help chiving him by remarking that the reason he could not match the abilities of Tiger was that Tiger would never have given up golf for his wife's demands and that's why he would shoot 10 under par and my friend struggle to shoot 10 over.

His reply was that he had been married twice as long as Tiger had been playing. He then asked me who I considered enjoyed greater happiness. I paused to answer and he repeated the question. Another pause and he asked "Well?" I replied "Don't rush me, I'm thinking about it!"

Happy House Hunting in 2010 and keep swinging you T.W.'s. We know you'll buy eventually!