As always, I arrive to an impeccably tidy house. Fresh flowers stood neatly in a vase on the dining table.

A young couple had asked to view the house at 4pm. (Let’s call them J and K.) They arrived visibly excited, carrying a large plastic bag stuffed with packets of potato chips. They had just come from the mall, they explained, having won the chips through a series of claw machine victories. They laughed as they set the bag down, without any hint of embarrassment. 

It turned out to be one of my more engaging viewings.

They listened intently as I explained that the unit did not receive direct afternoon sunlight and that the living room had been renovated just three years ago. In the kitchen, J asked if the wall could be hacked to create a larger living space - it could. The two of them were visibly excited to see the house. They marveled at the size of the master bed room and spoked excitedly to each another as if they could imagine themselves already living in it.

They told me they were keen on buying the house, later in the year. They had not applied for their HFE and were waiting for K to receive her Singapore PR. J was certain she would get it by July. We are currently in March. I explained to them my sellers were hoping to sell the house soon. The two of them nodded in understanding. If they were disappointed, they hid it well.

Before leaving, J opened the large bag of chips and asked me to choose two - one for myself and one for the sellers. I obliged, dipping my hand in the large plastic bag and taking out two packets. Lays potato chips, the flavours spelled out in Vietnamese. I thanked them for coming by.

After they left, I placed the two packets of chips quietly beside the vase of flowers on the dining table.