I'm baaaaack

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

I was hoping to be able to report some changes in Rheaville but unfortunately the above phrase holds true.

We are currently looking for an apartment so we can step onto the bottom rung of the property ladder. So far, all I have learnt is that most estate agents are worse than useless and houses sell bloomin' fast in the area in which we want to buy.

I had a classic conversation the other week:

Agent: Had you given any further thought to your offer?
Rhea: It's unfortunate that they have rejected our offer but that is our final figure.
A: They haven't rejected your offer, they just need more money.
R: ? I'm sorry ?
A: They need more money for the property they want to buy.
R: Well, like I said, if they don't like our offer, then there's not much I can do about it.
A: But it's not that they don't like it, they just want more.
R: ?? [deep calming breath] As I've explained before, we are first time buyers and our current offer is already the maximum we can afford so we can't and won't increase our offer.
A grumpily: In that case, I'll advise the chain.
R: [you do that]

I'll keep you posted.