Buscando piso en Madrid
Looking for an apartment in Madrid
1 · Spanish Story
La historia
Laura y Diego llevan dos semanas buscando piso en Madrid. Hoy han quedado con una agente inmobiliaria en un barrio tranquilo. Llegan con tiempo y miran el edificio desde la acera. Laura dice que la calle es silenciosa y que el supermercado está cerca.
La agente les abre la puerta y les enseña el piso. Hay dos habitaciones, una cocina pequeña y un salón con luz. Diego pregunta por la calefacción porque en invierno pasa mucho frío. La agente le responde que el piso tiene calefacción eléctrica y agua caliente todo el día.
A Laura le gusta el balcón. Desde allí se ve un parque con árboles altos. También le viene bien que haya una parada de autobús cerca. Dice que así puede coger el autobús para ir al trabajo. Pero más tarde descubre un problema. La agente les explica que el piso está libre desde el día quince, no desde el día uno.
Diego y Laura se miran un momento. Ellos necesitaban entrar antes, porque su alquiler actual termina ese mismo fin de semana. Laura pregunta si pueden guardar las llaves unos días antes. La agente sonríe y dice que no, pero que puede hablar con la propietaria. Luego les pide sus documentos para preparar la solicitud.
De camino a casa, Diego piensa que el piso es caro, pero está bien situado. Laura cree que merece la pena intentarlo. Esa noche revisan el presupuesto en el ordenador y hacen una lista de preguntas. Al día siguiente envían el formulario y esperan una respuesta. Si todo va bien, dentro de poco tendrán una casa nueva.
2 · Key Phrases
Language to keep
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llevan dos semanas buscando piso
they have been looking for an apartment for two weeksThis phrase talks about an action that started in the past and continues now.
Mis vecinos llevan dos semanas buscando piso en otra zona.
My neighbors have been looking for an apartment in another area for two weeks.
les enseña el piso
shows them the apartmentIt uses the verb enseñar to say that someone shows a place to other people.
La guía nos enseña el piso antes de la visita.
The agent shows us the apartment before the visit.
La agente le responde
the agent answers himThis phrase shows a direct reply in a clear, simple structure.
Cuando pregunta por el precio, la agente le responde enseguida.
When he asks about the price, the agent answers him right away.
le viene bien
is convenient for herIt is a very common way to say that something suits your plans or schedule.
La hora de la visita le viene bien a Marta.
The time of the visit is convenient for Marta.
merece la pena
it is worth itThis phrase is used to say that something is worth the effort, time, or money.
Aunque sea un poco más caro, merece la pena por la ubicación.
Even if it is a little more expensive, it is worth it for the location.
dentro de poco
soonThis phrase refers to a short time in the future.
Si aceptan la solicitud, nos mudaremos dentro de poco.
If they accept the application, we will move soon.
3 · English Translation
The full story in English
Laura and Diego have been looking for an apartment in Madrid for two weeks. Today they have arranged to meet a real estate agent in a quiet neighborhood. They arrive early and look at the building from the sidewalk. Laura says that the street is quiet and that the supermarket is nearby.
The agent opens the door for them and shows them the apartment. There are two bedrooms, a small kitchen, and a living room with light. Diego asks about the heating because it gets very cold in winter. The agent answers that the apartment has electric heating and hot water all day.
Laura likes the balcony. From there you can see a park with tall trees. It is also convenient for her that there is a bus stop nearby. She says that this way she can take the bus to go to work. But later she discovers a problem. The agent explains to them that the apartment is available from the fifteenth, not from the first.
Diego and Laura look at each other for a moment. They needed to move in earlier, because their current rental ends that same weekend. Laura asks if they can have the keys a few days earlier. The agent smiles and says no, but that she can speak with the owner. Then she asks for their documents to prepare the application.
On the way home, Diego thinks that the apartment is expensive, but it is well located. Laura believes that it is worth trying. That night they review the budget on the computer and make a list of questions. The next day they send the form and wait for an answer. If everything goes well, they will soon have a new home.