We've got a nibble

We had our first viewing last night and it went quite well. They're coming back on Thursday for a second viewing and I'm sure they're going to make an offer. I just hope it's close to our asking price.

They seem like a really nice couple and I'm so glad. I told J I didn't think I'd be able to sell our house to someone I didn't like. I mean, what if they were heavy smokers and planned to smoke in OUR house. I just wouldn't be happy with that. But, these people seemed lovely. They're a young couple, not married, no children but from the way she was looking at Toby I suspect she has plans for the future. They gave the house a really good going over and asked a lot of questions. I suspect they've seen some pretty dire properties because she asked me if we were going to take the oven with us and he seemed thrilled about the new boiler.

I'm discovering that this whole house selling/buying business isn't just about houses. It's about buying or selling a lifestyle. We looked at one flat in Blackheath that seemed to fulfil our needs on paper but we were immediately put off once we saw it. It was owned by a young bachelor who was doing quite well for himself but was still in that slightly immature, wild, twenty-something phase of life. There were black framed photos of celebrities all over the walls and a collection of booze that would rival any pub. Loads of gadgets too like a huge plasma screen TV and a big CD changer on the wall. It was the kind of place where you wouldn't dare open a cupboard or drawer for fear of a strange sex toy or vial of coke falling out. Needless to say, we didn't make an offer.

The house that we did hope to buy wasn't our ideal but the family who lived there was so nice that it made us think twice. They had two children, one about Toby's age, and as soon as we walked in the door Tobes felt right at home. The lady offered him some toys to play with and watched Tobes while J and I looked around the house. It felt like a happy place. Good karma.

Now, I'm not being silly. I wouldn't pass up a property that was great just because the owners weren't to our taste but I do think the atmosphere of a place makes a difference. If you can see yourself living the life of the current owners then it makes the property that bit more attractive. With that in mind, I'm hoping for a nice day for the viewing on Thursday. I thought I would get out the patio furniture and let Tobes play in the garden while I put my feet up and sip a glass of wine. There will be a sheet of homemade cookies cooling in the kitchen and some music playing in the background. That should just about do it.