Housing Update

I wish I could say we have a home – BUT – I can’t.

Despite the fact that it has become an all consuming quest and obsession for me to find a home, I am unable to find any success.

Over the last 12 months this city of 1.3million people has had an influx of over 45,000 people. The housing supply at all levels is taxed. Great position to be in as a landlord. But we are tenants – or I guess I should rephrase that – we WANT to be tenants.

Last month we did put an application on one home and 2 ½ weeks later we heard back. They are going through a divorce and can’t agree on anything – he said yes and she said no. But they did agree on something - to take it off the market!

So back to the drawing board. And the page remains blank.

I have been calling, e-mailing and visiting the offices of property managers and realtors. I must have contacted well over 80. I can’t even keep track anymore. Their eyes glaze over when I state my request. They have heard it so many times and have no inventory. And from the limited supply that is available I have been turned away from 4 homes because of Dawson.

I have even called realtors who have houses for sale to see if their clients would be interested in renting their home instead. And the answer has always been “NO”.

I have also called interior decorators – I figure if they are decorating a new house their clients must be leaving their old homes. The answers are still “NO”.

I have turned over a lot of stones – to find a big fat nothing.

To make matters worse, we have to be out of our third temporary housing Wednesday April 2nd. So I spent the last week switching gears from looking for permanent housing to look for another short term home. After at least 50 calls and e-mails I finally found a place in Freemantle.

Freemantle is on the Indian Ocean and was a sleepy/sleazy port town until they won the Americas Cup. They had 4 years to spruce it up for the World to see when they hosted the event. It is now a funky tourist Mecca with shops , markets and restaurants. We haven’t spent much time there and I’m not that familiar with it, so this will be a great opportunity to discover someplace new. And will give me another blog topic so I don’t have to whine about housing – or lack of.

Today is the first day of rain we have had since we’ve been here. Apparently Perth has on average 300 days of sunny weather a year. Put together the clear blue sky, incredible crystal blue water and fine light sand and it is a beautiful picture. Dawson is having the time of his life swimming so frequently.

Easter weekend we did a day trip south down the coast and it is awesome for miles. It is like living in a vacation resort.

http://picasaweb.google.com/frederick.linda/20080321MandurahWA

We are finding some great Indian and Thai food restaurants. Once you get over the initial sticker shock (Dorothy!) it’s not too bad. And as everyone is quick to point out, “You don’t have to tip. The price includes the tip.” (Dorothy is not fooled and still thinks it is expensive.)

Actually, despite the challenges we’re encountering we haven’t brought up the name “Dorothy” in ages. So I guess that means we are adjusting. Which is good.

We still think we have won the lottery. We just wish it had included a home.