C Y FREO IS SO SPECIAL

This is a Freo story of the very best of human kind and of people sometimes disappointing.

A week ago today was the settlement of the inner city Fremantle apartment I live in and what a relief it was. Out of the blue I was told four weeks ago that the former owner would not extend my lease and the unit would be sold, so I was devastated that I would have to move yet again. But two good friends came to the rescue when they called me and asked if I would feel comfortable if they became my new landlords and of course I was.

The first day the home was open my friends bought it and settlement was just 13 days later. It must have been one of the fastest settlements in real estate history. It means I can stay here for many years to come and can really settle in and make this my home.

But there is another side to the story as well. The fast sale and settlement meant that the selling agents did not have to do much for their commission, so I cheekily asked them what my commission would be. I was promised a bottle of Scotch. A week after settlement I still have not received the promised bottle of whiskey, which is disappointing. I think that this lowly tenant on a government pension, who is unlikely to ever buy property from them, is no longer on the radar of the selling agents and that they moved on without thinking about their integrity and reputation.

I won’t mention the name of the real estate agents, but will say that they share their initials with that famous engineer who built Fremantle Port and the Perth-Kalgoorlie pipeline. I am actually quite a fan of the classy, glossy well designed brochures with great photographs they used to publish.

But more good news. Yesterday my landlords came by and hung my paintings that had been on the floor for the last 11 months and put strips on doors and windows to keep the sea breeze out. I am so happy and grateful to them that I can stay here for many years to come.

There are some very good and caring people in Fremantle and I am delighted to have been on the receiving end of it.

Since I always look for the best in people I can only assume that the estate agent who promised the good bottle of whiskey is not mean but only worried about this old fella’s liver. ; >))

Freo. Good one day, better the next!

Roel Loopers