More new beginnings

Ok, so now we have got over the initial shock of monday's shenanigans, and we have started in earnest loking for our new home. There are two major websites that deal with rental properties in australia, here and here, making it much easier than the old fashioned way of trauling all the local newspapers, calling up agents and generally doing a lot of leg-work.

So, anyhow, we have shortlisted a bunch of houses, of varying prices and modernity and are awaiting the mad rush this weekend. You see, in australia they do things a little differently - they open up the houses for public inspection, at which point there is a huge scrum of people to view. I heard one friend saying that they went to see a house recently, and there were over 150 people all vying for the same thing. Then there is the mad rush afterwards - the on-site agent performing the inspection carries with them a handful of application forms, so people can take them away and fill them in at their convenience.

The truth is, as we found last year when we moved into our current property, it is a case of first come first served - you are forced to make an on the spot decision, sit in your car and fill in the application form, and it seems that the first people to get the form into the agent's office is the winner. Call me sneaky, but I am looking for ways to get around this.

So, Helen and I are very interested in a particular property, the observant of you out there will see it is a stone's throw from our current house, so here's my plan. They are opening for inspection this coming saturday, time tbc. So, I am just about to head out to the agent's office, where I intend to use my wit and charm to obtain a couple of application forms, get them filled in ready, and when we see the place, if it is right, "We'll take this one please"!

No messing, and no competition.

Ok so thats the plan, will keep you posted of developments.....

C