Walking up from the first floor, reaching out to touch the beech handrail and stepping on the pure wooden stairs with oak treads, Professor Dong felt as if he was in the Republic of China period when this house was first built. There were bursts of cheers in the living room, the old gramophone was playing beautiful music, and the hostess was cooking delicious food in the kitchen.
Wow, this feels so wonderful. Professor Dong was attracted by this house.
After viewing the small Western-style house, the couple went to see two other houses. The old-style courtyard house was in a state of disrepair, its walls and roof nearly all gone. The original tenants hadn't taken good care of the house during their stay, and the neighborhood committee hadn't repaired it since taking it over, leading to its current state of disrepair.
The two went to see the tube-shaped building again. Dozens of families were crowded in one building, and the kitchen and toilet were also shared. Professor Dong saw the situation from downstairs and rejected it without even going upstairs.
The dilapidated courtyard house was owned by the government after the landlord game. The price cannot be negotiated, it is what it is.
The house was being sold by an individual, and the price was negotiable. However, the person who sold it wasn't the actual owner, but a relative who had been overseas for years. Professor Dong felt it was the right time to sell it now. Otherwise, in two years, it would be impossible to sell it, and it would be forced to rent it out. Furthermore, the relatives abroad would be affected, and the seller wouldn't be in a good position either.
After returning to the neighborhood committee, he checked the lowest price for the dilapidated courtyard house and contacted the seller of the western-style building to negotiate a price. After waiting for over an hour, a couple arrived. They were the agent selling the western-style building and had a power of attorney. After a few words, they got down to business. Professor Dong directly asked them to state their lowest price. The kind-hearted Ms. Jiang also put in some good words, trying to help negotiate the price. In the end, the other party lowered the price to 7,500, and Professor Dong offered 7,000.
The house was indeed a good one, and Professor Dong was very tempted, but she wasn't stupid if it was too much above her target price. Finally, the man's wife realized that Professor Dong really wouldn't buy it for 7,500, so she lowered the price by another 200, saying she wouldn't sell it for 7,300, even a penny less.
Professor Dong didn't say anything more and told Sister Jiang directly that she didn't want this apartment, but only the courtyard house. She would pay the deposit now and bring any necessary documents in the afternoon.
The couple selling the house were stunned. They had no idea Professor Dong wanted to buy two units and thought he really didn't want them. After looking at each other, the couple quickly told Professor Dong that 7,000 was the price, fearing that he wouldn't buy them.
In fact, how many people in big cities can afford such an expensive house right away, let alone in the county? If someone could afford it, they would have sold it long ago. It's impossible to keep it until now and wait for Professor Dong to buy it.
Professor Dong paid a deposit of 100 yuan, and the other party wrote a deposit receipt, agreeing to pay the money and complete the formalities in the afternoon.
At noon, Professor Dong treated Sister Jiang to a meal at a state-owned restaurant to thank her for accompanying him to look at houses and helping him bargain. Sister Jiang, ever the kindhearted soul she was, told Professor Dong everything she knew about the historical background, origins, and previous owners of the two houses.
Professor Dong is actually quite wealthy, and all his money is stored in a safe in his study. Over the past six months, Guan Huashu has sold replicas of his kitchen for over 30,000 yuan, which is enough to buy a few more houses. But buying these two is quite high-profile. Professor Dong from the History Department understands!
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