Condo Hunting
I didn't want to be the first to break the news, but I suspect that Ema is too busy packing everything up to make an entry herself. She'll be returning to Los Angeles, permanently, in early March. That is, she'll be back in a little more than a week.
I've been helping her look for a place of her own ever since she told me about her decision. As it so happens, recession times are also times of "buyer's markets" in the real-estate world: There aren't so many listings available, but the ones that are put up are at a much reduced price. Looking at both apartments and condominiums, I'm fairly set on the latter; it's a good time to be investing in one, right now.
Prosecutor Gavin, I've been using the real estate agent you recommended and she is indeed wonderfully meticulous at her job. She showed me a prospective suite in the very condominium you are at, actually. It was a very nice location; of the three prospective places I've narrowed it down to, it is the most costly but has the best layout and the best view. The kitchen is also the most spacious, with lovely marble countertops and dark wood cabinets... but I'm not at all sure how much time Ema would spend there to begin with.
Another possibility is a more reasonably priced place at Bloor and Kipling, but I'm slightly uneasy about the location. The neighbourhood was rather rough up until only three or four years ago, and though the building's security is satisfactory, there was an attempted armed robbery only a block away this weekend. The master bedroom is also a touch too small for my tastes... If you saw if you would probably agree, Ema--there wouldn't be enough room for your scientific equipment, though I suppose you could always store them elsewhere. (I've attached some photos of the suite in an e-mail if you have the time to take a look.)
The third option is the furthest from the downtown Los Angeles core, and I'm a bit concerned that it wouldn't be very convenient to travel to and from via transit. It's a pretty place though, and I have the feeling that the color scheme would be your favorite out of the three, Ema, though that's hardly what one should base their final decision on when purchasing a place to live.
The closing date for all of these places would be in a month or two at the soonest, so it's not as though they would be available for moving in right away even if we made a decision on them now. Still, I'm preparing to make an offer on one within the next few days--I'll be visiting each place again one last time just to be sure.
If anyone has any particular opinion on the three locations, or any suggestions regarding making an offer on condominiums in general, I'd be happy to hear them. Ema, do you have any particular preference yet?
I've been helping her look for a place of her own ever since she told me about her decision. As it so happens, recession times are also times of "buyer's markets" in the real-estate world: There aren't so many listings available, but the ones that are put up are at a much reduced price. Looking at both apartments and condominiums, I'm fairly set on the latter; it's a good time to be investing in one, right now.
Prosecutor Gavin, I've been using the real estate agent you recommended and she is indeed wonderfully meticulous at her job. She showed me a prospective suite in the very condominium you are at, actually. It was a very nice location; of the three prospective places I've narrowed it down to, it is the most costly but has the best layout and the best view. The kitchen is also the most spacious, with lovely marble countertops and dark wood cabinets... but I'm not at all sure how much time Ema would spend there to begin with.
Another possibility is a more reasonably priced place at Bloor and Kipling, but I'm slightly uneasy about the location. The neighbourhood was rather rough up until only three or four years ago, and though the building's security is satisfactory, there was an attempted armed robbery only a block away this weekend. The master bedroom is also a touch too small for my tastes... If you saw if you would probably agree, Ema--there wouldn't be enough room for your scientific equipment, though I suppose you could always store them elsewhere. (I've attached some photos of the suite in an e-mail if you have the time to take a look.)
The third option is the furthest from the downtown Los Angeles core, and I'm a bit concerned that it wouldn't be very convenient to travel to and from via transit. It's a pretty place though, and I have the feeling that the color scheme would be your favorite out of the three, Ema, though that's hardly what one should base their final decision on when purchasing a place to live.
The closing date for all of these places would be in a month or two at the soonest, so it's not as though they would be available for moving in right away even if we made a decision on them now. Still, I'm preparing to make an offer on one within the next few days--I'll be visiting each place again one last time just to be sure.
If anyone has any particular opinion on the three locations, or any suggestions regarding making an offer on condominiums in general, I'd be happy to hear them. Ema, do you have any particular preference yet?