“With those conditions, these properties would be the best options.”
“I see. Is it possible to visit these properties in person?”
“Of course, I’d be happy to show them to you.”
After narrowing down the choices to four potential properties, we set off to visit them. Naturally, this world’s real estate offices don’t have detailed blueprints or photographs, so the only way to get a sense of a property is to go there yourself and see it with your own eyes.
“This is the first property. It’s located on a main street, making it ideal if your business caters to adventurers.”
The real estate agent, a man in his 40s, led us to the first location. Lilia and I followed him.
“This looks like a decent property. Tetsuya, why not settle for this one?”
“Hmmm, the location is great. It’s on a busy street and close to the town entrance. But the shop area is a bit cramped, and the living quarters are also on the small side. For the price, I’d prefer something larger.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Let’s keep this one in mind for now and check the others.”
“Agreed. It might take some time, but it’s worth looking at all the options.”
“Understood. Let’s head to the next property.”
Though it meant more walking around town, the shop’s location and layout would be crucial for future business success. While we wouldn’t inspect every available property, I wanted to see as many as possible.
“This is the second property. While the location isn’t as good, the shop and living spaces are much larger.”
“Oh, it’s definitely more spacious than the first one. We could stock a lot more goods here. Tetsuya, how about this place?”
“Hmmm, the size of both the shop and living area is impressive. Maybe even too spacious.”
The living quarters on the second floor included a kitchen, living room, toilet, and three small rooms—enough space for a family of four. If Lilia and I were to live here, I could sleep in the living room in the worst-case scenario, but ideally, there would still need to be at least two bedrooms. In that sense, this property exceeded our requirements.
“However, the location isn’t great. It’s far from the main roads and tucked away in a complex area. Customers might struggle to find it, and the low foot traffic could attract troublemakers.”
“Yeah, that could be a problem. Let’s move on to the next property.”
“Sounds good. That said, considering the rent, this might still be a better deal than the first one. Comparing these options will help us find the best fit.”
“Indeed.”
“Let me show you the next property.”
“Based on your preferences and your feedback on the previous two properties, I believe this next one might suit you best. The final property isn’t as favorable.”
“I see. This one does sound promising!”
The third property was in a moderately busy area, less so than the first, but still with decent foot traffic. Nearby shops, including restaurants and clothing stores, suggested a steady flow of customers.
The shop area was smaller than the second property but larger than the first. The living space upstairs included a kitchen, toilet, living room, and two small rooms, offering just enough privacy for Lilia and me if we ended up living together.
“Oh, and it even has a small backyard,” I noted.
“Yes, it can be used for daily training or as a storage area.”
The backyard, though small, was a nice bonus. The house across the way had a spacious garden, so we could pitch a tent and cook smoky meals without bothering neighbors with smoke-covered laundry.
“Hmm, this might be the best option yet. What do you think, Tetsuya?”
“Yeah, compared to the first two, this one leaves little to complain about.”
“Great! Then let’s settle on this one.”
“Well, while this is the best we’ve seen so far, I still want to check out the last property and some others recommended by the Commercial Guild.”
“Oh... I see.”
“Choosing the right shop is a big decision. I want to inspect as many as possible before making the final call.”
In a world without the internet, finding a good property means using your feet to visit and inspect as many options as possible. I don’t have any special skill for picking properties, so my strategy is simply diligence and effort, much like a sales approach.
“Choosing a location for a shop is a lot of work, isn’t it?”
Lilia probably isn’t suited for property hunting. She’s so earnest that she might take everything a seller says at face value and get easily tricked if someone had ill intentions. It’s up to me to make sure we make the right choice.
After visiting over 15 properties, including those recommended by the Commercial Guild, none surpassed the third property we saw, so I decided to finalize the contract for that one.
Tonight will be my last stay at the inn I’ve grown fond of, with its delicious meals. Tomorrow, before preparing the shop itself, I’ll focus on setting up the living area with essentials like kitchenware and bedding.