CHAPTLE TWENTY–FOUR–A Gimple Behind the Curta
CHAPTER TWENTY–FOUR–A Glimpse Behind the Curtain
Melissa led them up the stone path to the front door. As she turned the key in the lock, Laura caught a whiff of something unpleasant She wrinkled her nose but didn’t say anything, not wanting to jump to conclusions.
The interior of the house was quaint, with hardwood floors and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. However, as they moved further inside, the musty smell grew stronger.
“Let’s check out the living room,” Melissa suggested, leading the way.
Laura followed, her eyes drawn to a dark stain on the ceiling, “What’s that?” she asked, pointing upward
Melissa squinted at the spot. “Oh, that’s probably just an old water stain. Nothing to worry about.”
But as they continued through the house, Laura noticed more signs of water damage. The baseboards in the hallway were warped, and there was a suspicious bubbling in the wallpaper of the guest bedroom..
“Is it just me, or does it smell like my grandma’s basement in here?” Jen whispered to Laura.
Laura nodded, trying not to breathe too deeply. The musty odor was becoming overwhelming
he strong smell of mildew. She quickly closed it, exchanging a
In the kitchen, Laura opened a cabinet under the sink and recolled at the concerned look with Jen.
Everything okay? Melissa asked, noticing their expressions.
Laura hesitated, not wanting to be rude. “Well, I’m a bit concerned about all the signs of water damage we’ve seen. And the smell..
Melissa’s smile faltered slightly. “I’m saire it’s nothing a good cleaning couldn’t Inc. How about we check out the backyard?”
As they stepped outside, Laura took a deep breath of fresh air, grateful to escape the musty interior. The backyard was lovely, with a small patio and a mature oak tree providing shade. But Laura couldn’t shake her concerns about the house’s condition.
“What do you think? Melissa asked as they completed the tour.
Laura glanced at Jen, who gave a slight shake of her head. “I’m sorry, Melissa, but I don’t think this is the one either. The water damage and the smell are big red flags for me. I’d be worried about mold and ongoing maintenance issues.”
Melissa nodded, looking disappointed but understanding “I see. Well, we still have one more property to see today. Hopefully, the third time’s the charm!”
As they drove away from the cottage, Laura felt her optimism waning. Finding the right home was proving to be more challenging than she’d anticipated.
The third property on their list was a modern loft in a recently renovated building. As they pulled up, Laura admired the sleek exterior and the large windows that promised plenty of natural light.
“This looks interesting,” Laura commented, her spirits lifting slightly
Jen nodded in agreement. “Definitely more your style than the last place.”
They entered the building and took the elevator to the fourth floor. Melissa unlocked the door to the lott, and Laura telt a surge of excitement as they stepped inside.
The space was open and airy, with high ceilings and gleaming hardwood floors. Floor–to–ceiling windows lined one wall, offering a stunning view of the city skyline
“Wow,” Laura breathed, taking it all in.
Melissa smiled, clearly pleased with their reaction. “The open floor plan allows for a lot of flexibility in how you arrange your living space,” she explained, gesturing around the room.
Laura moved further into the loft, imagining where she could place her furniture. The lotchen area was modern and well–equipped, with sleek stainless steel appliances and plenty of counter space
“This is nice,” Jen commented, running her hand along the smooth quartz countertop. “You could actually cook in here, unlike that shoebox kitchen in your last apartment.”
Laura laughed. “Hey, I made it work!”
They continued exploring, chreling out the bathroom with its luxurious rain shower and the spacious bedroom area. Laura was impressed by the amount of storage space, with built–in closets and shelving units.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR A Gimpse hindthe Curtan
“So, what do you think so far? Melissa asked, her eyes hopeful.
Laura exchanged a glance with Jen before responding. “It’s beautiful,” she admitted. “I love how open and bright it is.” As they continued their tour, Laura noticed a slight chill in the air. She rubbed her arms, trying to shake off the feeling.
“Is it always this cool in here?” she asked Melissa.
The real estate agent hesitated for a moment. “Well, the loft’s large windows do let in a lot of light, which can affect the temperature But the building has a state–of–the–art heating system. ”
Laura nodded, but she couldn’t shake her concern. She walked over to one of the large windows, placing her hand on the glass. It felt cold to the touch, and she could feel a draft seeping through.
“len, come feel this,” she called to her sister.
Jen joined her at the window, frowning as she felt the cold air. “That’s not great insulation,” she murmured,
Laura turned to Melissa. “How old is the heating system?” she asked.
Melissa consulted her notes. “It was installed during the renovation two years ago. It’s a high–efficiency system.”
Laura chewed her lip, considering. “And what about the windows? Were they replaced during the renovation?”
Melissa’s smile faltered slightly. “I believe they’re the original windows, but they were thoroughly inspected and deemed to be in good condition”
Laura and Jen exchanged skeptical looks. They continued their tour, but Laura found herself distracted by thoughts of drafty windows and high heating bills.
In the bathroom, Laura noticed another issue. “Is this the only heating vent in here?” she asked, pointing to a small grate near the
floor
Melissa nodded. “Yes, but the heat rises, so it should be sufficient.”
Laura frowned, imagining chilly morning showers and foggy mirrors that never seemed to clear.
As they made their way back to the main living area, Laura’s enthusiasm had significantly cooled. She loved the aesthetics of the loft, but practical concerns were overshadowing its visual appeal.
So, Laura, what are your thoughts?” Melissa asked, her tone hopeful
Laura took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. “It’s a beautiful space, and I love the layout and the light. But I’m really concerned about the insulation and heating Ican already feel how drafty it is, and I’m worried about how expensive it would be to keep this place warm in the winter.”
Jen nodded in agreement. “Yeah, those heating balls could be brutal. And it’s
