You have got to be joking!

A week in the life of property seeker Rebecca Anastasi.

Sunday, October 25

It's now been nine months, 24 days, 12 hours, four minutes and two seconds since my boyfriend and I decided to embark on a perilous journey - one full of pitfalls and disappointment, tears and frustration. Not much joy to be had until the final stages, when your suffering is transferred to your pocket.

We've set off on the uphill hike that is looking for a new home.

Others had warned us. Friends had told us to prepare ourselves. No, they said. It was not going to be easy. Watch out for deceitful agents, outstandingly bad properties and that sinking feeling that tells you: what utter rubbish!

But did we listen? Not much. I love shopping sprees and thought this would be simply an extension of a good one. So, we set off with a determined glint in our eyes and a happy look on our faces which said: we're on our way. I thought it would take a month, maybe two.

Fast-forward most of 2009 and here we are: still sans home but with Mr Jaded and Mr Cynical on board with us. So, as of tomorrow, we've decided to cram as many viewings into one week as possible. There must be something out there for us. Please...

Monday, October 26

With hope in our sails, we set off to meet our agent after work. Let's call him Tony. We have adopted a pick n' mix approach when it comes to agents: many and of different standards and competencies. We've also looked at many 'direct from owner' properties.

We gave our briefing to Tony - a good-sized apartment, with some form of outside space, in a central area such as Naxxar, Għargħur, Mosta or Balzan. He sent us a list and we chose what we liked. So far so good.

First one up - 'an outstanding three-bedroomed property in the best area of Mosta'. Well, let's put it this way: it had three bedrooms. The dark living area was large too. It's such a shame the large balcony doors had a great view of someone's roof - the string of grey Y-fronts fluttering in the wind seemed to wave to us.

Next.

'A well-sized maisonette, with full roof, situated in the heart of Lija". Priced at €160,000. It sounded too good to be true. And it was. On the one hand, the description didn't deceive: it was a maisonette in Lija.

Sadly, the street was so narrow, I could actually walk out onto the tiny one-woman balcony and reach over to touch the building on the other side of the street.

Tuesday, October 27

Another day, another disappointment. Nothing much to report. We met Maria this time. She showed us a mix of apartments with garage-style living rooms and no outside space. All properties have now started to look the same. Or maybe it's simply that the architect's plans were photocopied and the same make-a-quick-buck buildings replicated in towns around the island?

Wednesday, October 28

One of my friends has just bought an apartment. I'm so jealous. It didn't take her long and she found a lovely place in Sliema. We're off to see it this afternoon. Maybe there'll be one in her block we can buy. The joys!

...We've seen it. Her flat is nice. But we were horrified to see the apartment next door to hers: small living area but good-sized yard.

A decently-sized bedroom at the back. And the bathroom? Nowhere to be seen. The property is on the market, yet the bathroom hasn't been built. But the place is small. Fitting another room in there would be a long stretch of the imagination. Their plan is to take a chunk out of the bedroom and only have an en-suite bathroom. I'd be curious to know who would even consider buying such a place.

Thursday, October 29

I have a confession. Forgetting all practicalities, I would love to buy an old townhouse in Vittoriosa and do it up. The only problem is I'm lazy and I cannot imagine spending my weekends and every other spare moment plastering walls, overseeing workers and stressing myself out.

But when a friend informed us she knew of someone selling their seafront house, I jumped at the chance of seeing it. After all, some of these older properties are the most beautiful on the island.

This was not one of them. The word 'seafront' conjured up images of breathtaking harbour views. Well... let's put it this way: the sea view was more wall-view from the single window in the entire 'house'.

The sea could be seen, but only from across the road and beyond a high wall. Still, the dream of owning a seafront house or apartment in Vittoriosa overlooking the Grand Harbour has not died down.

Friday, October 30

Our new agent is bad with numbers. This afternoon, we met Chris at his office to discuss our budget. The answer is not much. We had gone to the bank a few weeks ago and while repayments are low now, once interest rates shoot up again we'll be stuck with a crippling mortgage if we overspend. Financial suicide. Maybe I should just buy a Super 5 ticket next week...

Saturday, October 31

Tomorrow is the start of a new month. A new world. Maybe tomorrow we will find the property of our dreams, fall in love and never again experience that sinking disappointment of more time wasted. I have not given up hope.

I have come to the conclusion that leg work is necessary to buy the best possible for the money you have. So, I will take a deep breath, persist and hope to be choosing my new home soon. By the end of the year would be nice.