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“That house?” Tim muttered, surveying the gray stone and brick façade of the imposing house. “It looks so big.”
“Wait till you see the inside,” Erin answered.
The real estate agent led them along a paved driveway that seemed endless. They climbed the five steps leading to the front door. Josie typed a code on the lockbox, and opened the heavy door.
“Go ahead. Although they look like marble, the floor tiles are ceramic, cheaper and much easier to maintain. You have a living room and dining room on the right, and a huge family room with fireplace on the left. Both end in the modern kitchen appended with a dining area.”
Tim ventured through a glass door and caught a glimpse of a covered patio with a hot tub and a grill.
“Let’s visit the house first,” Josie said. She showed them the first floor bedroom and its bathroom. They climbed to the second floor and toured the five bedrooms and two bathrooms, and then went all the way to the finished basement divided into another bedroom with a bathroom, an entertainment room with a wet bar, and a storage area.
“Now we can take a tour of the backyard and its amenities. The yard is big enough for the children to play soccer or baseball,” the agent added with a persuasive look.
No wonder Erin had called it a dream-house. Thein-law suiteappended to the house particularly appealed to Tim. It was a small cottage, a complete apartment with a bedroom, bathroom, foyer, and kitchenette. He could well understand Erin’s enthusiasm for this house. The place was worming its way into his heart, too.
“You were right. It’s a gorgeous house,” he said after they returned home.
“But way too expensive. I may put an offer on one of the other two within my price range.”
“Why rush if you don’t particularly like them? You’re not going to move again in a few years. I would keep looking. You may find something resembling the big house, but more reasonable.”
“All right.” She sighed. “Although I’ve been looking at houses almost daily for a month. I think I’ve seen them all.”
“Look into other neighborhoods.” He needed time to explore a crazy idea that had just popped into his mind.
Back at his office, he called Josie. “This is Tim Kent. Is it possible to pay another visit to the big house you showed us this morning?”
“Sure.” He could hear the excitement in the real estate agent’s voice. “Shall I pick you up both from Erin’s house?”
“No. Please don’t mention it to Erin. I’ll meet you at the house tomorrow morning at nine-thirty if possible. I want to examine the house closely.”
“No problem. See you at nine-thirty.”
Tim spent two hours reviewing his finances and studying every expense. His crazy idea looked more and more feasible.
The next morning, he toured Erin’s dream house again, taking his time, snapping pictures, and videotaping every floor and room, the front yard, patio, pool, and backyard. Relying on his engineering background, he lingered in the kitchen and laundry room, examining the plumbing, appliances, electrical boxes, asking purchase dates and warranties.
“Are you ready to make an offer?” Josie asked after two hours of professional patience.
“Not yet, but I’m getting there. To buy a house, I have to sell mine first. Would you be able to come to my house and give me an appraisal?”
“I can make it the day after tomorrow in the afternoon.”
“Good enough. Talking about an appraisal, did you give Erin an estimate on her house?”
“She hasn’t asked me yet. I’ll talk to her about it.”
“Thank you for your patience. Again, don’t mention my visit today until I make a decision.”
“Rest assured I won’t say anything.”
At night, when Erin came to his house, he had trouble hiding his growing excitement abouttheirspecial house. With every passing moment and calculation, his idea seemed more plausible, yet it all depended on Erin’s agreement.
Two days later, Josie stopped by his house, took a professional tour, and gave him an approximate sale price that pleased him enough. He projected the pictures and video on his TV big screen and smiled, definitely satisfied with his decision. The house would be a good investment. Erin and her children were more than worth splurging for.
Ready to expose his idea to Erin, he called as soon as she finished her shift. “Could you bring us two cappuccinos on your way back? I’d like to talk business tonight.”
“Ah, okay. What happened?”
