Read A Mile in My Flip-Flops for Free Online

subdivision.”
    “I should hope so.”
    “So I don’t see the problem.”
    “The problem is that it totally stinks. And it looks like someone might still be living there—or something inside might even be dead.”
    “The house is vacant. But the renters did leave some things behind. This isn’t uncommon in eviction situations. And that’s one of the reasons the house is priced as low as it is.”
    “Well, yes, but this is pretty extreme.”
    “Fine,” she says in a sharp business tone. “Just bring the key back to my office. I think I already have a buyer for it anyway.”
    “You have a buyer?”
    “Yes. I have someone who regularly flips properties coming by here first thing in the morning. He has essentially told me he’ll be making an offer tomorrow.”
    “An offer? Tomorrow?”
    “Yes. Like I said, this guy is a pro at flipping houses. He’s done dozens of them. And trust me, he knows real-estate potential when he sees it.”
    “And he’s
seen
this place?”
    “Not the inside, but he did a drive-by just an hour ago, and he’s very interested.”
    “But it reeks!”
    She actually laughs now. “Have you ever done this before?” she asks me. “Flipped a house?”
    “Well, no…”
    “It’s possible that you’re not cut out for it then. Some people just don’t like to get their hands dirty.”
    Now, I resent this. She doesn’t even know me. “I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty,” I say defensively.
    “Well, renovations are extremely hard work. If you don’t believe me, I can give you the name of the contractor who wants to buy that ranch house. I’m sure he could tell you a thing or two about—”
    “My dad’s a contractor,” I snap. “And I happen to know a thing or two about renovations.” There’s a brief pause, and I wonder if I’ve offended her.
    “Yes … I understand that,” she says calmly. Almost the same tone of voice I might use with a cranky five-year-old who just doesn’t get it. “But this would be your first house flip, Gretchen. Perhaps you need a house that’s in better shape. Come to think of it, there’s a cute little cottage on the west side that needs some work. It’s listed at $550,000, but it could probably go for more than six if it was fixed up a little.”
    “That’s out of my price range.”
    “Oh … well, then maybe you should consider a condo. I’ve got a nice unit in Parker Place for sale, and it’s listed for just a little more than the Lilac Lane house.”
    “No thanks,” I tell her. I don’t mention that my ex fiancé and his wife live in Parker Place and that you couldn’t pay me to buy a condo there. I’m looking at the neglected ranch house again, thinking thatperhaps I’ve been too hasty in my judgment. Maybe it just needs a little TLC. Okay a lot of TLC. But really am I nuts to let a bad smell drive me away? And what if that other buyer snatches it out from under me, fixes it up, and sells it for big profit? Then how would I feel?
    “You’re sure the tenants have moved out?”
    “Yes. They were evicted several weeks ago.”
    “And you have actually been inside the house yourself?” I ask.
    “Yes. And it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. But there’s definitely potential. Have you seen the backyard yet?”
    “Well, no…”
    “I suggest you go have a look. Before you do that, maybe you should open up the doors and let some fresh air flow through the house. After that, take a quick walk-through, try to ignore the messes, and see if you don’t discover the possibilities.”
    “Okay…”
    “Then get that key back to the office. It’s the only one I have. We just listed the house and haven’t even made copies yet. I only let Betty have it as a personal favor.”
    “Sure…yeah, I’ll do that.”
    “And don’t feel bad if it doesn’t work for you. House flipping isn’t for everyone. Sometimes it’s better to leave things like this to the pros.”
    So I thank her, hang up, and then go around to the