Evan Mahavolich was feeling optimistic about the second viewing. Prior to his clients’ arrival, he went around the whole house figuring out what to say about each room to give the best impression. In his pocket he had a price from the seller but it was his business to ensure that bottom-line price was not used if at all possible. Still, the seller was keen to be shot of what he thought of as a white elephant.
It could turn out to be a win/win for the agent.
Evan was most worried about the tall woman who had been so negative before. He must show her something to change her perspective. Possibly the basement which they had not seen before she left?
Possibly, the base of the tower room which was definitely multi-purpose, depending on needs?
He had asked a painter and decorator to look at the entrance and main staircase and provide an estimate. The re-painting price was reasonable, but removing and replacing that awful carpet was going to be expensive. And that did not include removing the panelling in the dining room.
He was wondering if a dye job would reduce the impact of the stair carpet when the car arrived in the side driveway and three different women emerged from it.
His first emotion was relief. The tall angry one was not in this group but he spotted the leader the minute she got out of the driver’s seat of the expensive car and headed right for him. She was good looking, wearing beautiful clothes and boots and had jewellery that even his amateur gaze identified as real gems.
She advanced with outstretched hand and confidently declared her intention.
“Good to meet you, Evan. Show us what you’ve got here. We two want the full tour but Honor will stay mainly on the ground level unless you can show her an easy access to the basement?”
At once he was given a challenge and knew he was in the presence of a master manipulator who already knew all the tricks of the trade. He wondered if she had been a real estate agent at some time in her life.
He quickly did the main level spiel and as the two women advanced up the stairway, he conducted the lady with the walking stick back outside to the wraparound porch from which there was direct access to the basement level door, down only three wide steps with railings on either side.
Honor was pleased to be the one who was seeing the basement for the first time. ‘Basement’ was not a correct description for what she now saw. The entire area was fully finished in neutral tones and consisted of what appeared to be a separate, open-plan apartment, complete with kitchen and sliding door exit to the paved area of the back yard. A laundry and furnace room were concealed in one rear corner and the opposite corner consisted of storage space already supplied with shelving. The enclosed bedroom and washroom occupied the middle area. The remaining floor space was big enough for a gym as well as an office.
Honor had been given the job of keeping Evan occupied while Vilma did some measurements upstairs.
“So, Evan, what are the chances of getting internet access and Wi-Fi services out here on the fringes of London?”
“Well, the builder assures me everything is set up for all the technology required. Were you thinking of setting up a business here?”
“It’s a possibility, among others.” She wandered back to the full washroom with the rain shower and interior bench seat. He followed.
“May I ask if your friends today are involved with Mrs. Dempster who made the initial enquiry?”
He was clearly trying to estimate what the situation was here. Two families or two sets of friends or two entirely different groups of potential buyers. Honor had been instructed to keep him guessing.
“Could you demonstrate how these folding doors operate? I would like to see the size of the patio.”
He rushed to unlock the system so that the doors slid easily into a concertina shape against one wall.
“In summer, it’s open to the outside so the patio becomes a part of the main house for parties and entertaining.”
“A lovely feature, Evan. What about security?”
He went into a prepared speech about the builder adding various safety features because he and his family intended to travel during the winter months. By the time he had finished, Honor was sure the rest of the group had seen everything they needed to.
“Well, then, Evan, it all sounds satisfactory. Let’s join the others now. You can lock up here.”
When they returned to the front entrance, Vilma and Jannice were waiting.
“Thank you so much Evan. We may be in touch soon. Have a good day, now. Bye.”
With that they departed for the side driveway and the car, and he was left standing at the door with his mouth hanging open. This was going to make a good story when he got back to the office but whether or not it would result in a good sale, well that was another matter altogether. He was not looking forward to his conversation with the builder, or with the builder’s wife.
Vilma Smith drove to the nearest Tim Horton’s in Colonel Talbot Road and chose a quiet table in the far corner where they could talk freely over coffee, soup, sandwiches and doughnuts.
“All right everyone! Let’s compare notes. Honor, you first.”
“I must say, the lower level is amazing! It’s virtually a one bedroom apartment and the view plus the access to the backyard are both superb. It could be turned into anything we might need.”
“So, definitely another bedroom then?”
“Absolutely, and lots more besides!”
“Am I right? That makes a total of five bedrooms upstairs and one more in the lower level.”
“Don’t forget the tower room on the ground floor. It’s a kind of library at the moment but could easily be a seventh bedroom.”
“Or a television room.”
“Or a dining room. I hate that other dark one.”
“Or a music room. I would love to have a piano.”
“Hold on a minute before you have us all moved into the place! Does this mean we three support the Niagara house as a suitable home for all of us?”
A chorus of ‘Yes!” was the response. It was so enthusiastic that several patrons looked up from their coffee and conversation to see if a riot was taking shape at the corner table. All they could see was a trio of women smiling and toasting each other with coffee cups.
Jannice was enthralled. “I have never even seen such a beautiful house before. To think of actually living there with you lovely women is more than a dream come true for me. I am afraid to hope, just in case it doesn’t come true.”
Vilma was aware that most of Jannice’s dreams had been shattered by her family responsibilities and she made a silent promise to do anything she could to turn that streak of bad luck around before it was too late.
Honor had remained practical. “I suppose there are more things than sleeping quarters to consider. What about the elevator idea? That one could be important for all of us for one reason or another.”
“You are so right,” responded Jannice.” How I wish I had one when my mother and father were having such trouble climbing stairs. I almost fell more than once when trying to lift them from step to step.”
“It’s a huge advantage, Honor and Jannice. I think the measurements will work and from the plans Mavis brought back, I believe access to the laundry room would be where the elevator ends No carrying heavy loads up and down stairs.”
She made a mental note to ask if an elevator could have an entry point at ground level as well as access on the top floor and the basement.
All three stopped to think of the advantages of living in the Niagara house. They realized there were decisions to be made that might test their present camaraderie but each one was prepared to make compromises if it meant they had the chance to walk freely in and out of that huge home and live there securely for as long as they wished.
Hilary was eagerly waiting at home to hear the decision. When she saw their faces she knew at once the feeling was unanimous. Now it was all up to the negotiations with Evan. She felt they had kept him guessing and he would pass on that message to his client. She made no announcement yet, but she thought that soon they would have to begin calling it Harmony House instead of Niagara house.