Fear Thy Neighbor (19)
“Then you’ll feel right at home. Go on, have a look through, see the place, then we can discuss the financing. See if you’re able to qualify for a mortgage. You do have a job, correct?”
“No, I’m unemployed.”
Kimberly sighed. “Then you’re wasting my time. No bank will lend money if a borrower isn’t gainfully employed. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t need financing from a bank.” Alison took great delight in the look on Kimberly’s face.
“Oh, well, I just assumed. Most people do.”
“I’m not most people,” she said, then ventured through the rooms. There were two bedrooms, with a full bathroom between them, which she thought was kind of nice. The kitchen was a true relic, with an old gas stove, the white ceramic worn down to the cast iron in some places. The refrigerator was newer, but not by much.
“There is an ice maker,” Kimberly said as she opened the freezer, then jumped back. “It needs a good cleaning, for sure. I don’t know what was in here last. Obviously, the previous owners didn’t bother cleaning. You’ll want to scrub this, if you’re buying.”
“I can clean.” A white porcelain sink flanked by two more sets of the knotty pine cupboards offered plenty of storage. The window above the sink looked out onto a large path, possibly a driveway at one time. The shrubbery was definitely in need of care. The overgrowth looked more junglelike—bamboo skirted the sides of the drive, and small shoots devoured the land, taking over the grounds. She knew bamboo was a fast-growing plant but wasn’t sure of its purpose.
Kimberly rambled on. “There is no dishwasher, but there is a hookup for a washer and dryer, off the side of the porch. It’s separate, a utility room, though the place doesn’t come with a washer or a dryer. Something else you might want to consider.”
“Is there a laundromat nearby?” She wanted to ask if one could be found near the Walmart, but she refrained from being a total smartass.
“Yes, it’s near the coffee shop.”
“Then I won’t need to consider purchasing a washer and dryer.” She actually would, but this woman irked her. Miss Snob probably had her laundry washed by a maid.
“Of course not,” Kimberly said. “The laundromat is . . . clean.”
Alison checked the main living area. Large windows offered a magnificent view of the strip of beach and the gulf. She ran her hand along the windowsill, checked the locks to make sure they worked properly. She returned to the bedrooms, repeating the process. In the bathroom, she checked the plumbing beneath a small cabinet for signs of a leak, checked the faucet to make sure it worked. She lifted the tank off the toilet, checking to see if the chain was rusted. Not that she cared, as these things were easily repaired. She just wanted to annoy Kimberly. The main attraction of the bathroom was an old cast-iron bathtub with claw footing, the back much higher than its front. The faucet was rusted. Alison tried the knob, and it turned easily. Drips of water tinged with brown trickled from the spigot.
“This needs a bit of work,” Alison stated. “I’m sure you’ll consider that in the price.” She liked the old tub. Surprisingly, it was in good shape, other than the faucet.
“I’m sure the owners are willing to negotiate the price,” Kimberly replied.
“Even though it’s only been on the market for a few days?” Alison asked. Wasn’t it usually just the opposite? “Looks like no one has lived here in a while.”
Kimberly picked at her pale pink fingernail. “You don’t have to live in a house to own it. They’re simply in a rush to sell.”
“How long has it been since someone actually lived in this house?”
“Maybe five or six years. I’m not sure.”
“Odd,” Alison muttered.
“May I ask why you find this odd?”
This woman was a real snob. “A house on the beach doesn’t usually remain empty for that long,” she said.
“As I said, I’m not sure. Does this matter to you?”
Now the woman was downright bitchy. Alison really didn’t care, but she did find it strange the place remained empty. “Actually, it does,” she said, lying through her teeth. “I would like to know the name of the seller, too. I’m sure you have this information somewhere in your office?” Seeing the snob in defense mode was entertaining.
“Of course, but I was asked to keep their identity private. Diamond Realtors is the seller to you. Or someone else,” she added, catching on to her sarcasm.
Kimberly hit a nerve.
“Okay, I get that. If I decide to buy, I’ll find out myself.”
“Do what you must. This is a good investment for anyone willing to live here and make the necessary repairs.”
“I’m sure it is,” Alison said. “Do you mind if I walk through the house alone?” She needed to imagine herself in this space. She wanted to walk through the rooms again, unobserved, without the pink snob’s smart-aleck attitude.
“Well, I’ve never been asked that before, but I suppose there is a first time for everything. I’ll be on the front porch.” She rolled her eyes as she walked out of the bathroom.
Alone, Alison walked through the rooms. She opened the closets in both bedrooms and the closet in the front living area. There was a small pantry in the kitchen, not very big, but she wanted to see the inside of that, as well. When she finished, she went to the porch, locating the small utility room. A concrete floor, with block walls, a power outlet, and a small window. Satisfied, she found Kimberly waiting.