Some deals take weeks, even months, to come together—endless calls, follow-ups, and negotiations. And then, there are deals that happen in ways you could never plan for, the kind that remind you why you need to stay sharp, creative, and always open to opportunities.

This is the story of how I helped a friend find his perfect apartment in less than 45 minutes—without a single scheduled viewing.

A Call at the Right Time

It was spring, and business was booming. My days were packed with viewings, calls, and appointments, but in between all the hustle, a friend called me.

“Yusef, I’m looking for an apartment—something nice in Sliema or St. Julian’s, maybe even San Gwann or Swieqi if it’s worth it.”

I happened to be parked, waiting for my next appointment, and as luck would have it, he was nearby.

“Perfect. Let’s meet now.”

I picked him up, and we went for a drive. There’s something about car rides that make for the best conversations—no distractions, just focused energy. He laid out his criteria: a modern one- or two-bedroom apartment, at least a small balcony to relax, and a budget of around €1,200 per month.

As we cruised through different neighborhoods, I pointed out buildings I had listings in, giving him insights about each one. When we passed through San Gwann, a brand-new building caught my eye.

It looked promising—modern design, well-maintained, exactly the kind of place he’d like. And as fate would have it, there was an empty parking spot right in front.

I pulled over.

“What are we doing here?” he asked.

“This place looks solid. I’m hoping that in the next 5 to 10 minutes, someone comes in or out of the building.”

The Power of Being at the Right Place at the Right Time

Less than seven minutes later, just as I was showing him some listings on my phone, the front door opened, and a tenant walked out.

“Go stand by the car. Let me handle this.”

I approached him with a smile.

“Good afternoon! By any chance, do you know if there are any apartments available in this building?”

“I have no idea, I’m afraid.”

“Would you mind sharing your landlord’s contact? I’d love to check with her directly.”

He hesitated for a second but eventually gave me the number. Bingo.

I called her immediately.

“Hi, this is Yusef, a real estate agent. Do you have any apartments available in your building?”

“Actually, I do. I’m in the area—would you like to see it?”

Five minutes later, she arrived.

Closing the Deal

The apartment was exactly what my friend was looking for—modern, bright, and with a small balcony. She was asking €1,350 per month, but I negotiated it down to €1,250.

“I suggest paying the deposit now before she changes her mind on the price,” I whispered to him.

He nodded.

Within 45 minutes of picking him up, we had:

Found a potential building.
Gotten the landlord’s contact from a random tenant.
Secured a private viewing.
Negotiated the price.
Paid the deposit.

Today, he’s still living there, and to this day, he tells me how much he loves his apartment.

Lesson? Sometimes You Have to Go Beyond the Norm

Success in real estate—or in anything, really—doesn’t always come from playing by the book. Sometimes, you have to improvise. You have to be willing to take chances, think outside the box, and create opportunities where none seem to exist.

Most agents would have waited for listings to pop up online. I didn’t.

And that’s how my friend got his perfect apartment in under an hour.