Estate. Peter speaking. How may I help you?
Susan: Hi Peter, my name is Susan, I’m calling from Australia. I’ll be moving to New Zealand soon and I was hoping you could help me find somewhere to live in Auckland.
Peter: Would be pleased to. I just need to get some information about what you want so we can find the perfect place.
Susan: Sounds good.
Peter: Let’s start with some personal details. What’s your last name?
Susan: It’s Smith.
Peter: The woman’s last name is Smith, so Smith has been written in the space.
Peter: Now we shall begin.
Peter: You should answer the questions as you listen, because you will not hear the recording a second time.
Peter: Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 3.
Peter: Good morning, McMurray’s Real Estate. Peter speaking. How may I help you?
Susan: Hi Peter. My name is Susan. I’m calling from Australia. I’ll be moving to New Zealand soon and I was hoping you could help me find somewhere to live in Auckland.
Peter: Would be pleased to. I just need to get some information about what you want so we can find the perfect place.
Susan: Sounds good.
Peter: Let’s start with some personal details. What’s your last name?
Susan: It’s Smith.
Peter: And your phone number?
Susan: I only have a mobile, is that okay?
Peter: That’s fine.
Susan: Okay, it’s 61438 1997, but if you want to contact me, usually the best way is by email.
Peter: Okay, what’s your email address then?
Susan: It’s [email protected]
Peter: Thanks. Now, you said you’re living in Australia.
Susan: Right, in Brisbane.
Peter: Okay, what’s your address in Brisbane then?
Susan: 234 Becketts, that’s B-E-C-K-E-T-T-S. Road, Brisbane, 4054.
Peter: Right. Will you be working in New Zealand?
Susan: Yes, I have a job at Auckland Hospital.
Peter: Oh, are you a nurse?
Susan: Most people assume that or think I’m a doctor, but actually I’m a chemist.
Peter: Oh, sorry.
Susan: That’s okay.
Peter: When will you need the accommodation from?
Susan: Well, I don’t start work until the 25th of February, but I’d like to give myself some time to settle in. A couple of weeks would be nice, let’s say from the 10th of February.
Peter: Our leases start from a Monday, and the Monday closest to that is the 8th of February. Would that suit?
Susan: That’s fine.
Peter: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 4 to 10 on page 2.
Peter: Now listen and answer questions 4 to 10.
Peter: Okay, let’s talk about what kind of place you’d like to rent.
Susan: Hmm, I like the outdoors, so my dream would be a house that has its own garden.
Peter: Is there anything else you’d consider? An apartment, for example?
Susan: I don’t know. They usually don’t have an outdoor area, but I guess, as an alternative, if you could find me one with a large balcony, I’d be happy.
Peter: How many rooms do you want?
Susan: Usually one bedroom places are too small, two would be ideal.
Peter: Now what would you like to have in the place when you move in?
Susan: I’m bringing most of what I need with me. I have beds and sofas and a television, all that sort of stuff, so none of that is necessary.
Peter: Sounds like you want a partially furnished house with a washing machine.
Susan: Actually, I’m bringing that too. All I really need in the place is a fridge. I don’t have one, so we’ll definitely need one.
Peter: Can you find something like that for around $350 a week?
Susan: Well, I’ll certainly try. I’ll start looking for places that cost around $300 and see if there’s anything suitable. You definitely won’t need to pay more than $400 for something like that.
Susan: Oh that’s good, I couldn’t pay more than that.
Peter: All right, I’ll see what I can find. You’re working at the hospital. Do you want to live somewhere near there?
Susan: Most people think it’s strange, but I don’t like living close to work. But I’m a mad keen surfer, so it’s important for me to be close to the beach.
Peter: Okay, do you need to be near public transport?
Susan: No, I usually drive to work because I work a lot of shift work, so wherever I live will need to have parking close to the doors so I won’t have to walk far at night.
Peter: Anything else?
Susan: I’ve heard that power bills can get quite expensive, especially in the winter. It’d be great if electricity was part of the rent.
Peter: Okay, just one last question for our records, where did you hear about us?
Peter: That is the end of section 1.
Peter: You now have half a minute to check your answers.
Peter: Now turn to section 2 on page 3.
