Chapter 3
1000 Words
Chapter 3
Late Morning, Wednesday, March 18th, 2015
Mason Family Home
Zanesville, Ohio
Janet looked around the living room one last time. She was pleased with the way it looked now. Chloe Rossi had worked hard to help her get dozens of years’ worth of knickknacks and other bric-a-brac that her mother had accumulated boxed up and donated to charities that could resell it to people who cared about collecting those sorts of things. She’d even cataloged everything for Janet to itemize on her taxes, not that she, herself, cared about such things.
She was letting most of the furniture and other wares go with the house. The pieces she wanted that she wasn’t using, she’d already put in storage. As a result, she thought everything looked clean and inviting. She hoped the Realtor that was due any minute was happy with how the house looked as well.
Just as she was about to trundle through the dining area for one last sweep of the kitchen, she heard a car pull into the driveway so she went to the front door instead.
The agent, Rona Harvey, was a bundle of energy, waving as soon as she cleared the door of her BMW.
Janet pointed at the car. “Don’t see too many of those around here.”
Rona smiled big and extended her hand. “Nope, but I like it. Rona Harvey. Nice to finally meet you in person. Janet, I presume?”
“Yes. Please, come in.” Janet stood aside and held the door open for the woman to enter.
Rona trained a practiced eye around the room. “Would you just look at all this woodwork! And, in amazing condition to boot. You said this has been your family home for years, right?”
Janet nodded.
“How’d your parents raise kids here and keep the woodwork looking so good?”
“Actually, I’m an only child and I only just moved back here after several years...away. It’s just been mom for years and before that only me and her.”
“Oh, sorry. This really is a lovely old Craftsman style home. If it’s all in this kind of condition, it should do really well on the market. I think you’ll be very pleased.”
“Really?”
“Mmm, yes. I don’t kid about things like that.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to sound like I doubted you.”
“No harm done. Now why don’t you walk me through the rest of this place?”
“It’s only a bath and a half, so that’s a negative,” Rona was saying. “Too, the plumbing I could see was definitely mid-century. Any problems with any of that I should be aware of? You do understand; full disclosure up front is key? Some things we’ll fix. Some things, we’ll let the buyer decide what he or she wants.”
Janet nodded her understanding. “There are no problems that I’m aware of myself with any of the plumbing. Everything seems to work just fine.”
“The garage is definitely a plus on such a small lot and the basement seems dry. It could be finished so that’s a plus. You’re also right out of mid-town. That’s a selling point for a lot of professionals.”
“It is?”
Rona nodded. “Frankly, I’m surprised you’re not keeping it, but who am I to judge or to pass up on a great commission?” She laughed at her own joke.
“When you say great, how much do you mean...I, uh, I’ve been told 6% is standard.”
“It is hon, it is, and that gets split between me and the buyer’s agent if they have one. It’ll still be a good one. It’s Zanesville pricing, yes but it’s still a Craftsman after all and in excellent condition.”
At Janet’s puzzled look, Rona told her, “We should get two fifty, three hundred, easy.”
“Dollars?”
“Thousand.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
###
3:30PM, Wednesday, March 18th
Janet slid onto a bar stool. The Boar’s Head was nearly empty but it was early yet.
The bartender was quick moving over to her. “What can I get you?”
“Bud light draft and a menu please. Is Barb in yet?”
“I think she’s in the back. Can I give her your name?”
“Janet.”
He pulled her beer, passed her a menu then disappeared into the back. Moments later, Barb appeared.
“This is a surprise! I was waiting to hear from you about how it went with the Realtor.”
“Great...you’re not going to believe it.”
“Try me.”
“At first, she had me feeling a little down about the lack of at least two full baths and about the ancient plumbing and such but then she hit me with what she thought we could get for it in spite of those things; $300,000.”
“I told you! It’s a Craftsman, after all.”
“That’s what she kept saying.”
“They’re in demand and built to last. Don’t go worrying your head about that plumbing. When people see those floors and all that woodwork, they’re going to be blown away – assuming that is, that you signed with her to list it?”
Janet nodded. “How could I not? She’s going to put it on that MLS thingy for $329,900, she said.”
“Wiggle room.”
“I guess,” Janet shrugged. “I’ll be happy if it sells for a hundred grand.”
“Oh honey, no, no, no! Don’t even say things like that. You’ll get a good price, trust me and have yourself a nice little nest egg. When’s it going on the MLS?”
“Today or tomorrow. She was headed back to the office to work it all up. There’s already a sign in the yard though.” She took a sip of her beer.
“Great. Keep me posted. Now, are you going to eat?”
“I was planning to. Can you join me?”
“Absolutely but just for a bit. I’ve got some paperwork back there to do before the after work crowd and the dart league crowd hit us.”
“Busy, busy!”
“Always; and,” Barb leaned conspiratorially across the bar, “I have a date to plan for Saturday too!”
###
Someone was knocking on the door. Janet looked at her watch. 8:06 PM. She must have dozed off watching the news.
She levered herself up out of the chair and went to the door. Through the peep hole she could see a small man in a business suit and overcoat. He was holding the Realtor’s yard sign.
Janet unbolted the heavy wood door and yanked it open. “Can I help you sir?” she asked as she eyed the man suspiciously. “What are you doing with the for sale sign?”
“It’s not for sale anymore.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Whatever you’re asking for it, I’ll pay, immediately. Cash, cashier’s check, it doesn’t matter. Just take it off the market. It’s mine.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’m very serious.”
“It’s listed at $329,900.”
“Fine. Just tell me how you want it paid and get the sale drawn up. The sooner the better.”
“Can you give me a minute to see if I can get a hold of my agent?”
- Writer
