"Of course, now. If we want it, we have to make an offer fast. It just came on the market. My friend Martha who works in real estate called me this morning."
"O.K., let me get an ale. You drive." Oliver put four bottles of ale, bread, and a piece of cheddar in a day pack. "Back later, Verdi."
The house sat up nicely on a stone foundation. Lilac bushes framed the kitchen door. "What do you think?" Jennifer asked after Oliver had walked around the house.
"It looks dry, and it faces south," he said. "One-fifteen. That's as long as there isn't anything major wrong—rotten sills, bad water, or something."
"We can get my friend Steve to inspect it," Jennifer said. "He's got a business inspecting houses. He's very good."
"Where are the owners?"
"Owner. It's a guy. I guess his wife died, and he's moving out of town."
"Too bad," Oliver said. "Looks like he had a good garden in back."
"I saw that," Jennifer said.
"The house seems all right, but you can't be sure from the outside.
Heating system could be shot. Septic system might not be any good."