Undergraduate / Buying House resembles Searching for Spouse- USC's Visions & Voices [3]

This is my essay for University of Southern California (USC). I hope someone could kindly proofread for me. thanks :)

Visions and Voices is a university-wide arts and humanities initiative that seeks to transform students' perspectives through presentations and performances by top artists, writers and scholars. Tell us about a creative project, performance or other work of yours and how it reflects your vision or voice.

It wasn't specifically a part-time work, but I came to love the excitement of working as a part of the community.
It has been 2 years ago since I got involved in real estate world because mum is a professional real estate agent who likes to bring her daughter a.k.a me around when she is working!

Last Saturday, I became mum's assistant cum English translator again. I buckled in, set the desired destination, and the same journey began. Soon, we stopped at a condominium. Mum stroke up a conversation with a stranger. Instinctively, I turned to a man in his thirties standing in front of her. Mum said to the man: 'Please come with me. I will show you the unit now, alright?' The opening conversation was always the same: Polite and formal.

To me, buying a house resembles the process of match making. In other words, the conditions are the same. In match making, we are searching for a spouse that suits our eyes, taste, and feeling- We buy happiness and satisfaction. The same conditions apply to buying a house. Although money is regarded as a major consideration, we are finding the one that feels best to us- We buy secure and warmth.

To quote mum, real property is actually a field that could either change your life by earning you a lot of money- or gives you nothing. Yes, nothing. If you are not lucky, or if you are in a wrong timing, your business could be snatched in no time. Mum used to say, advertizing and contact numbers are the most important element of real estate agents. Besides, as a middleman, you don't only help to sell the house, you sell your service.

Being a part of this community makes me learn so much about myself and also the people around me. You speak different languages, depending on the type of client you bump into every week. It was fun when you randomly meet unexpected people and strike up an interesting conversation with them. You got overwhelmed and motivated when they randomly talk about their successful career. Or you happened to view an elegant show-house that you dream to own. They simply make you so enthusiastic about your future.

You meet punctual clients, witty people, generous businessman, and sometimes, disrespectful adult. Undeniably, you judge them from the first impression. You stereotype clients according to how they dress, what language they speak, and which neighborhood they live in. You meet realistic clients who see minutes as money. You carefully observed grown-up who meticulously handed in an enclosed envelope containing One Thousand Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) of deposit. All you feel at the moment was how swiftly professional their action is and how yours, when paying monthly tuition fees in school, in contrast, is so clumsy.

Sometimes, you make premature judgment before listening to clients' further statement. At the same time, what whirls in your mind was whether or not the client has been convinced by you. One day, you remember how you used to observe those adults from far and was wondering why all adults talk was about money. However, you came to realize you have slowly become one of them when questions like 'How much did you buy it?' or 'Is it expensive?' blurt out so frequent in daily conversation. I become money-orientated now. You thought.

Every week, I try to take a small step for a change. I think twice before I speak. Always remember to put yourself in customer's shoes before making a judgment. I appreciate every compliment from client when they told my mum 'Your daughter can speak English very well!' At night, when I lie on the bed, I realized that I don't speak English frequently not because I couldn't speak well, but I lack of courage and confidence.

As a third party, I have learnt to see things more objectively. I withhold any premature judgment I was about to give as I learn how to respect the person I talk to. By doing so, I actually see myself and others clearer. Sometimes, I felt like the duration when I was anxious of communicating with people has passed a really long time, even though it has only been a few months.

For the past few years, I have seen many customers walking in and out from different types of houses, agreeing and rejecting, nodding and shaking their head, signing papers and shaking their hands. It is odd how these insignificant actions can have such a monumental influence on my aspirations. Every time, I feel motivated and challenged.

So there you have about my experience of working with mum. Want to buy a new house in Malaysia next time? Don't worry, mum and her assistant will immediately look out for you.

Thanks for reading.
I appreciate every comment you give. TQ (: