Finding an apartment in Melbourne was both much easier and frustrating than we anticipated. The frustrations, luckily were easily remedied and were mostly due to plain old “I didn’t know they did that here” ignorance.
For starters – anyone who has rented property in the U.S.A. knows that realtors are basically yours to command (no offense) and jump at the chance to show you a property at your earliest convenience. Kind of like market places in foreign countries where the sellers fall all over themselves to make sure you buy theirs, not their neighbors, goods. Armed with this knowledge…well, mis-knowledge (mistake #1), we leisurely perused some apartments online before we left. Our intention was to make a list of ten of or so apartments to look at once we arrived in Melbourne, got a good nights rest and felt ready to take on the real estate market of a new metropolis.
…do you hear that? That is the real estate gods of Melbourne laughing at us. Oh how little we knew. Real estate is a bit different here (why were we surprised?) where realtors work on their schedule and, if it happens to coincide with yours, great! If not, well there’s always next week. For example, in order to see a property you must schedule an inspection. One hundred calls to several real estate agencies later we were told, twice, that inspections were set from 10-10:15 on a Saturday. Kind of like an open house. 15 minutes? Yes. We might be a few minutes behind, could you be able to stay for a bit? No. (There go those real estate gods again…)
Now, don’t get the wrong impression, the agents we got in touch with and those who called us back were so pleasant, listened to what we needed and were looking for, and gave us all the info we needed to successfully rent here in Oz. Still, as an American (gasp) it was hard to comprehend why we, the buyers so to speak, were not in control. Oh learning curve.
It is funny that no matter how open minded you may be, situations arise that show you just how hard certain mindsets die. It can become a challenge to not automatically think “Our way is so much better than ‘their’ way”. How much easier would it be to just stay in those oh-so-cozy pair of ruby slippers and deny that the terrain you’re now on requires different footwear? Easier…maybe, but oh so limiting and definitely not as exciting. For us it’s fun to find things in everyday living that reminds us: HEY! There are a million and one ways of accomplishing this little thing called ‘life’, try one on for size!
There may be no place like home, but while we’re away let’s do it right!
2 Comments
We could not never understand the real estate marketing system there, either. An open house from 10-10:15 doesn’t give you the chance to see several apartments at one time. It was all pretty odd. I think it’s culmination of tradition and an overheated market. But from your photos, the apartment seems incredible. Hope Adam is settling into this work and making good things happen!
love
Aunty Cheryl and Uncle Bruce
Good for you all……..for learning that we are not the center of the world, that our way is, well, just our way and to being open to all that comes down your international path…………great lessons all and man, oh man, your ‘digs’ sure look nice, reaaaaal nahce, as we say in the south.
Savor, see, smell and surround yourself in their way of life……..and as always, G’Day mates!
Love, Me