Wizard Earl

Chapter 385 Real Estate Mortgage Loans!

"The seller is asking for 1,200 gold pounds, but I think it's negotiable. This house is basically a family asset that will be passed down from generation to generation unless the seller's family wants to pool their money to buy a large estate in the countryside!" Sensing that "Mr. Warren" was somewhat interested in the house, real estate agent Mr. Harland stated the price of the house.

"Twelve hundred gold pounds?"

Hearing the price, Connor frowned slightly. It wasn't that he couldn't afford it, but rather that it exceeded his budget for the Platinum Gang property for Harland. Although the average price per square meter of this house was a notch higher than in the surrounding area, and he really liked the house, 1200 gold pounds was a bargain. Even if he could negotiate down the difference of 200 gold pounds, it would be quite good. It was 200 gold pounds higher than his expected price for Harland, and if he agreed too quickly, it would arouse suspicion…

"Let's look at the others!" Connor said calmly, having made up his mind. The house was right here; there was no way he could run away. Even for nobles and wealthy merchants, 1,200 gold pounds was not an easy price to pay. He would look at the other houses first, and if none of them satisfied him, he would come back to talk about this one. That way, it wouldn't seem so abrupt.

Seeing that Connor seemed somewhat dissatisfied with the price, Harland smiled slightly and said, "Our agency's commission is generally 10-20% higher than our competitors, but that's not without reason. Firstly, we have our own exclusive real estate resources, and secondly…" He paused here, then emphasized, as if adding meaningfully, "Our company has connections with many major banks in Ruen, which allows us to help clients obtain mortgage loans!"

Connor glanced at Mr. Harland with some surprise. He really hadn't expected that Mr. Harland's real estate agency, Meringer, would have such power to process mortgage loans. In recent years, because East Hoy Company was increasingly dissatisfied with its role as a simple resource exporter in trade with the Kaman Empire, it began to upgrade its industry and seek a higher position in the industrial chain. Naturally, the commerce of the west coast of the empire, led by Rune, was directly impacted. Although the economy was still growing, the growth rate had indeed slowed down significantly, from more than 5% per year to about 2% per year.

The most obvious effect of the economic slowdown is that the income of some factories in Ruen has begun to decline sharply. With the decline in income, they naturally cannot repay the loans owed to the banks. About 60 percent of the wealthy businessmen who run these factories have taken out loans from banks using their houses as collateral. So when the factory owners cannot repay their loans, the banks have a lot of mortgaged houses in their hands. As a result, in recent years, major banks in Ruen have rarely accepted mortgage loans in order to avoid risks. However, this Mr. Harland said that Meiling Real Estate Agency could help him obtain a mortgage loan, which shows that they have very strong connections in the bank.

"Mr. Warren, you're probably aware of the current economic climate in Rune. Mortgage terms are quite stringent. For example, for this house worth 1,200 gold pounds, you can only borrow a maximum of 50% of its market value!" Mr. Harland said frankly, meeting Connor's surprised gaze.

After a moment's hesitation, Connor shook his head and said, "Let's look at some other houses..."

"Okay, let's go to the next one!" Mr. Harland had no objection to Connor's final decision. After all, that's the nature of his business. If you don't like a house, you can look at other houses. It's perfectly normal.

After a full three hours, Mr. Harland led Connor to the fourth house they had seen that day.

"Mr. Warren, this house is located on Ramsay Street in the North End. Just two blocks ahead is the East End, so the security is very good and the transportation is very convenient. The house has two floors and a basement, totaling 212 square meters. The house also has a small garden and is surrounded by a two-meter-high wall. Once you close the gate, the whole house is like a small manor!" Despite showing Connor around for so long, Mr. Harland's professionalism was still very good. Although a hint of fatigue appeared on his face, his voice and service attitude were as good as ever.

"How much?" Connor scanned the house with his mental energy and was pleasantly surprised to find that the house he was in now met the criteria for a safe house even better than the first house he had seen. He couldn't help but ask the price directly.

"The seller is asking for eight hundred and fifty gold pounds!" Mr. Harland said immediately, but after saying that, a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes behind his glasses, and he added, "Although the seller is asking for eight hundred and fifty gold pounds, Mr. Warren, if you really want it, I think you two can still negotiate the price!"

After hearing Mr. Harland's answer, Connor patted him on the shoulder and said, "Mr. Harland, my bottom line is 750 gold pounds. Please negotiate with the seller for me. Besides the commission I give your Mellinger Real Estate Agency, I'll give you an extra 50% commission for any amount less than 750 in the actual sale price!"

Upon hearing Connor's terms, a glint of light appeared in Mr. Harland's weary eyes. He silently calculated how much he could expect, then nodded to Connor and said with a smile, "Mr. Warren, thank you for your trust. I'm sure I won't let you down!"

Having entrusted the purchase of the house to Mr. Harland, Connor boarded a public carriage. However, to be on the safe side, he did not return directly to his home on Rand Street in the East End. Instead, he took the public carriage around the Loen District several times before revealing his true identity and returning to his apartment at 16 Rand Street in the East End!

Connor, who was in a good mood and had easily found a suitable safe house, took a bottle of gin from the wine cabinet. He leaned back on the sofa and drank it straight from the bottle without pouring it into a glass.

After downing half a bottle of gin in one gulp, savoring the delicate aroma of the gin in his mouth, Connor's lips curled into a strange smile.

(End of this chapter)