A Moving Encounter
TAKING BACK A RENTAL PROPERTY
On Deepavali, I went to take back a rental house from a subtenant whose lease had ended two days earlier.
This subtenant, a Singaporean family of three, shared the house with a master tenant and the master tenant’s friend (both foreigners). The master tenant returned to his home country one month before the lease expired and tasked the subtenant with returning the house to me.
So why was the house returned back to my landlord two days late?
The Singaporean family’s new landlord (a different place) decided at the last minute not to honour the room rental agreement signed.
My landlord decided to help by delaying the handing back of the house.
A DRIZZLY EVENING ENCOUNTER
As I approached the house at 6 p.m. that evening, there was a light drizzle.
The Singaporean was loading the last of his belongings into a minivan that was parked outside the house.
We exchanged greetings, and I spent a few minutes chatting with him. They had managed to find a common room nearby and would be heading there right after handing the house over to me.
As he went back to moving his things, I noticed his wife and 8-year-old daughter deep in conversation, all smiles and in great spirits. Listening to their chat, I realised that they were always on the move, never staying too long in one place (moving from room to room rental) before having to relocate. They didn’t have a home to call their own, and everything they possessed was in that minivan.
To an outsider, it might seem like they were lacking in many aspects of life, but the truth is, they had everything that mattered. The family was so blissful, close-knit, and positive despite their challenging circumstances.
It was a powerful reminder of what’s truly important in life and how adversity can build strength.
As the Singaporean packed the last of his belongings, he asked his little girl to make some space for the other tenant to sit, so he could give him a lift in the drizzle. The girl happily obliged, not even slightly bothered by the fact that it would be a tight squeeze.
We said our goodbyes, and off they went.
MY 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS
ADVERSITY REVEALS CHARACTER
No matter how tough life gets, remember that adversity can strike anyone. It’s how we respond to it that shows our true character and resilience.
FIND STRENGTH IN LOVE AND SUPPORT
Even when things seem bleak, we can find joy and strength in the love and support of our family and loved ones.
FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES
Life isn’t always a smooth ride, but it’s crucial to focus on the positives and count our blessings, no matter how small they may appear.
EMBRACE ADVERSITY FOR GROWTH
By embracing adversity and maintaining a positive outlook, we can grow stronger and better prepared for whatever challenges come our way.
TREASURING LIFE LESSONS IN WORK
Life as a property agent isn’t just about transactions. It’s also about treasuring the opportunity to understand the stories of those who appear in my work journey, as I get to learn valuable life lessons along the way.
Are you going through challenging times right now?
If you are, I hope you can draw strength from this sharing.
WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE TODAY?
Are you wondering what to do in today’s market?
Perhaps you already have a clear mind of what you want to do?
In my blog, I often share stories of the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned in my work as a real estate agent in Singapore.
Regardless of your situation, you can use me as a sounding board. I’ll provide perspective and clarity from my experience.
