Life as I know it

Three

A smothering day in Charlotte is what it is. I've sold three houses this month and I'm working on a forth. It's hard, but worth the extra time I have with my daughter. Blaire starts kindergarten in August and I'm excited for her. She makes friends so easily and is the smartest kid I know.

I'm hoping to take a break for the month of July to spend time with just us two. Maybe a vacation before school starts.

Life hasn't been easy and having no family raising a small child has been ruthless. The looks I've received from other mothers or fathers is like a knife to the heart.

At Blaire's last school the teacher said some inappropriate things and I lost it along with her spot at the school. So hoping for a new start this fall.

Mommy I'm hungry.

Okay sweetie let me make breakfast and check some emails for work and then I'm sure a until this afternoon when we have to go show a house.

Do you remember what I've said when mommy is working right.

Yes ma'am. Don't talk to strangers and sit quietly in the corner until you are done.

We will make sure your tablet it charged so you can play games or watch a movie.

I've been in the real estate business for a few years. Freshly at 18 I took the exam and passed. I sold my first home within two months and by the second year I was able to move into a bigger rental.

It's a two bedroom cottage that I rent for a good price. I've always been asked why I don't own and the reason is I'm single. When I purchase a home I want it to be with the man of my dreams. I want it to be permanent and since I've been single for the last two years I am in no rush.

Charlie was my boyfriend of a year. We met at the restaurant I took my daughter to and he was the waiter. Being 19 with a young child was hard, but we tried to make it work.

He was only allowed over when Blaire was asleep for the first six months. I didn't want her getting attached to a man just yet. When I introduced them things were fine until they weren't. One night I ran to the store to grab feminine products while she was asleep and I came back with her screaming bloody murder.

Charlie has spanked my daughter for wetting the bed during her nap.

And that was that. The end of my dating career.

At 24 I've managed to save plenty of money for an emergency situation. We've been lucky though. No serious illness etc.

I paid cash for the car I have. It's my prized possession that I purchased in my 21st birthday.

A brand new Dodge Charger. Black exterior and black interior. All decked out. I love it.

Baby breakfast is ready. Come eat so I can do some work for a few minutes.

Looking through my work emails I have a few that are wanting to place an offer on houses. So I respond that I will contact the owners and see if we can agree.

The last email I open is from my website. So a potential buyer.

Good morning,

Hello my name is Kayleigh Pierre and my son is moving to the Charlotte area and would like to view homes. Since we live three hours away I'd like to give some information on what he is looking for and maybe you can help.

Four or five bedrooms, equal baths if possible, pool, garage, media room and a modern outside. His budget is no more than 700k. No financing will be needed as it will be a cash offer.

I'm hoping you can help. The other two realtors we have contacted didn't offer much help and we are on a 4 week timeline to purchase and move him there.

If you can help please email or give me a call.

Thank you

I reread the email over and over. The budget is high and the expectations are even higher. I'd make 5% on the sale which is a lot and could be placed in Blaire's college fund and my emergency savings.

The biggest payout I've had so far was $20k a year ago which half went to the savings and the other into my checking.

We no longer struggle and I'd like to keep it that way. So I hit reply.

Mrs. Pierre

Thank you for contacting me about searching for a house for your son. I'd like to work with you both in finding is dream home. I request a $500 fee to begin which will be reimbursed if I am unable to find what he is looking for or if we find the home of his dreams it will be included with my fee.

My fee is 5% of the full asking price of the home. I hope that isn't a deal breaker, but  if it is we could possibly work around that if need be.

Once I receive the initial fee I will begin looking. Does he have a specific area of Charlotte he is looking into?

If it's a family home the east side is where it is. They have play grounds, parks, a wonderful private academy and restaurants.

If that's not what he is looking for, but something for singles closer to downtown would be best.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Lacey Titan