Chapter 7 Broadleaf Realtors
Outside a somewhat worn office building, a simple shopfront came into view.
Above the entrance, the word "Broadleaf Realtors" was written on the signboard neatly.
When Ceid asked Wyd for a suitable realtor agent with cheap and affordable prices, he was directed to this shop.
"Are you positive this is a real estate store, Wyd? It is not a loan shark or pawn shop, right?" He expressed his doubt.
<...According to the search results on the network, this shop was a reputable real estate shop that offered cheap prices.>
"Are you sure it was a reputable store?"
"Why is it that somehow I feel it was other people who sold to them cheaply and not the other way around?"
<...>
I guess any information from the network cannot escape from moisture content. I should have expected as much from online reviews.
Not that he was against the water army and ghostwriters.
"Anyway, as long as I can legitimately purchase a shop, even if the shop has a doubtful reputation, I don't mind."
He shook his head as he continued to walk towards the shop. He would not go out of his way to fight for the injustice of the seller. He was not a saint who lamented the state of the world.
-
Chime!
As he approached the entrance, he heard the chime from the wind chime hanging just outside the front door.
It appears that the owner had a unique aesthetic and taste. He knew immediately that the owner trusts greatly in feng shui to attract wealth and positive energy.
Usually, he only saw those wind chimes hung in antique businesses or traditional shops.
As Ceid opened the wooden door, he was greeted with an empty hall. Besides some ornaments hanging on the wall, there was only a counter at the end.
However, despite the simple arrangement, the plate frames hanging on the walls did not display mere pictures or artwork. It was electronic displays that showcased various real estate and properties.
Looking at the scene, Ceid was reminded of a particular library scene from a time travel movie.
It can be seen the shopfront was relatively modern and advanced, as it employs holographic imagery at the center of the hall.
The hologram mapped and charted the whole of Asma City, showing every building and land in the city. It also occasionally zoomed in and introduced specific properties once in a while. It was probably the various properties managed by the realtors.
Seeing this, Ceid did not immediately go to the counter.
He carefully examined the images shown in the hologram.
He was not there because he was mesmerized by the hologram. Instead, he was busy studying which shops or buildings were available for sale or rent. This hologram image conveniently helped him get an overview of the whole city, thus enabling him to evaluate the position of each property.
Looking at it, Ceid mused to himself. "There are several promising locations among these properties."
"Wyd, which among these three locations would be the best place for us?"
<...Host, do you wish to hear a practical point of view or a biased point of view?>
"What do you mean by biased point of view? Normally, wouldn't the suggestion usually defer to practicality and realistic?"
When he heard several of these criteria, Ceid immediately retorted, "Wyd, you have misjudged me."
"Ahem, anyway, based on practicality and our budget, where do you prefer we use as our base? We need to complete the tasks after all."
He decisively changed the topic back.
As Wyd's voice was heard, a 3D model image appeared in Ceid's mind. The 3D model immediately zoomed in to a location close to the city wall. Although the location was remote, it was in good condition and suitable for him to open for business.
Most importantly, it was affordable.
Just then, a man in a blue shirt and black pants appeared near the hallway leading to a room behind the hall. He had a temperate face and a courteous smile. It was the typical professional face shown by any experienced salesman.
He had come to check when he heard voices from the front sales hall.
He could tell right away that the man was a potential VIP customer.
Among the various properties on display, the man was looking over the pictures and details of a specific building. It was an offer for sale or lease of a single unit but for the whole building.
"Dear customer, welcome to Broadleaf Realtors. My name is Luxell, the shopkeeper. It's a pleasure to have you here. How may I assist you?"
When Ceid heard the voice and looked up, he was surprised to see a robust, muscular man approaching him.
He was assuming to see either the typical slender shopkeeper with cunning eyes or perhaps a well-built, overweight boss.
But he never expected to see someone who looked like someone good at fighting.
Even though he knew it would be impolite to consider it, he couldn't help but associate Luxell with gangsters and street thugs.
Is this truly not a loan shark shop?
Nonetheless, Ceid gave a warm smile, "Thank you."
"As you might have guessed, I'm interested in buying or renting a building."
"I had just seen a building in your hologram display that caught my eye."
Hearing Ceid's words, Luxell quickly glanced at the hologram. As a veteran realtor, he could immediately find the details of the building in question. He also roughly estimated the type of customer Ceid was.
"I'm glad to hear you are interested in our building. As I see it, you are interested in that building in the suburbs."
"Don't look the location a bit leaning and far from the city center, it has a good passenger capacity. It was located in the middle of the residential district."
Luxell tried his best to pitch his deal.
Business had been slow lately. It has been a while since someone came looking for a property.
With the beast tide approaching, people were busy restocking supplies instead.
So, he would not want to miss this opportunity to grab this business deal.
He continued, "It is a great choice for anyone to turn the place into his apartment, office space, and shopfront."
Hearing Luxell's words, Ceid nodded in agreement, "I thought so, too. So I'm thinking of taking a look at the building."
"That's a great idea. Let me show you the overall look of the building," Luxell said as he guided Ceid towards a private room at the back.
In the room, Luxell quickly operated the hologram display. Soon, a detailed building structure and images appeared in the hologram projection.
"As you can see here, this hologram is now projecting a 1:1 model of the building."
"The building had a spacious front suitable to park dozens of vehicles outside. And here, there are two passages, one leading to an underground parking lot and another to the backside of the building for loading and unloading cargos."
Luxell smoothly operated the hologram to navigate through the passage. The underground parking lot was spacious and tall.
Small trucks and the like could easily park here.
"Here is the reception hall. It is a great place to receive your clients. You could also display your wares and install hologram projectors to display your products."
At this time, Ceid interrupted him, "Normally, wouldn't the hologram projectors be installed as part of the reception hall? Typically, when you wire and renovate the hall, you would also install it."
Hearing Ceid's words, Luxell couldn't help but give unstated criticism in his heart. Even though he knew where Ceid was hinting, he casually continued his introduction without changing his expression.
"Yes, that is true. And then, over here is the retail space on the ground floor. As can be seen, the shop was partitioned with glass. So you can easily attract your potential customer's attention."
Seeing Luxell's reaction, Ceid secretly cursed in his heart. Sly fox!
Luxell continued to guide and introduce each detail of the building. A large warehouse was located at the back of the building, connected to the loading and unloading bay.
As the building was previously used as a corporate office, the rooms on the upper floor were renovated into various functional rooms.
On the first floor, there were small meeting rooms. Seeing these rooms, Ceid planned to treat them as VIP reception rooms.
On the second and third floors, there were different kinds of rooms and halls that you would typically find in an office building.
There's a meeting room, pantry room, network room, and leisure room, among others.
Luxell continued to walk through the whole process, explaining every part of the building.
Once in a while, Ceid would interrupt him with veiled criticism. He would also give critical questions and pertinent remarks.
But Luxell could always brush it off as if nothing.
"That's about it. Are there any other things you want to ask?" Luxell said as he finished his tour.
Hearing Luxell's words, Ceid was speechless and gave him a white eye.
Though Luxell pretended he didn't see it.
"Well, after hearing about it, I'm interested in buying it. However, could you give me a tour of the building in person before I decide?"
Luxell's smile immediately blossoms with splendor.
He knew this man was a genuine VIP customer.
Generally, people would either buy small property units or rent them. He rarely met someone who readily agreed to purchase a whole building.
"Sure thing. I'd be happy to."
Luxell happily guided Ceid outside to tour the actual building.