December 14, 2007

24 MAPLEVIEW AVE.

ASKING PRICE: $489,000

SELLING PRICE: $576,000

TAXES: $3,138 (2007)

LOT SIZE: 18 by 80 feet

DAYS ON THE MARKET: nine

LISTING AGENT: Nutan Brown, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

This semi-detached house in Bloor West Village attracted more than a half-dozen offers and a final bid that was $87,000 over the asking price.

Agent Nutan Brown cited two key reasons it attracted so much interest: "It was tastefully and thoughtfully renovated," she says, "and ... it's on a lovely little tucked-away street in Bloor West Village that is very child-friendly."

Over the past decade, the previous owners made various changes to the home, which was built around the turn of the 19th century. "It was in absolute, beautiful move-in condition," Ms. Brown says.

The living room has a fireplace, though venting is needed to make it functional. The room's hardwood flooring and crown moulding continue into the dining area.

The kitchen was remodelled with new mosaic backsplashes, butcher-block countertops and porcelain-tile floors. An addition was put on the back of the house to create space for a laundry room, which opens to a new deck.

The shared wall from the foyer to the staircase was stripped to expose the brick. "That's a feature that drew a lot of attention," Ms. Brown says. "[The owner] has a lovely painting hanging on it, and the colours of the painting and the background of the brick wall were amazing."

On the second floor, there is a four-piece bathroom and the house's three bedrooms, including one linked to a rear sunroom. The latter "would be a great space for a ... playroom, a study space or just a nice extension to their bedroom," Ms. Brown says.

The professionally renovated basement has an open recreation room and a full bathroom.

Parking is not included. The subway, schools and shops are nearby.

July 27, 2007

40 DENNIS AVE.

ASKING PRICE: $284,900

SELLING PRICE: $281,000

TAXES: $2,060 (2006)

LOT SIZE: 25 by 125 feet

DAYS ON THE MARKET: 15

CO-OP AGENT: Nutan Brown, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

In a citywide search for a large home on behalf of a first-time buyer, agent Nutan Brown discovered this detached, two-storey residence near Eglinton Avenue and Weston Road.

"It is a four-bedroom house, which was way more than we anticipated getting at that price point," Ms. Brown says. "So, it was a bonus."

What's more, the location is especially desirable, not just for its proximity to parks, shops and public transit, she adds. "[The buyer] grew up a stone's throw from this house and went to the local school where her daughter will be going."

The house is roughly 70 years old, but has been updated in the past decade with a new furnace, roof and thermal windows.

"It was so well-maintained," Ms. Brown states. "It was really important to find a home that [the buyer] would be able to move into and not have any concerns or surprises."

At some point, the living room was expanded by partially enclosing the porch, and wall-to-wall windows were installed across the front. A sliding door to the side of the house was put in at the same time. There are French doors between the living and dining rooms, and the cooking area opens to a patio.

Except for the kitchen, which has ceramic flooring, there is hardwood flooring throughout.

A four-piece bathroom serves the bedrooms upstairs, while there is a two-piece bathroom is in the basement.

Outside, there is a detached garage/workshop that is reached via a laneway, as well as spacious gardens with perennials, fruits and vegetables. "It's fairly maintenance-free and full of colour," Ms. Brown says.

July 27, 2007

42 MILES HILL CRES.

ASKING PRICE: $659,999

SELLING PRICE: $651,000

TAXES: $1,203 (2006)

LOT SIZE: 44 by 136 feet

DAYS ON THE MARKET: 40

CO-OP AGENT: Nutan Brown, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

This 3,200-square-foot residence sits on a ravine property in a new subdivision on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The lot not only backs on to conservation land, but is spacious enough to accommodate an in-ground pool. This combination is difficult to find, agent Nutan Brown says.

Built just a year ago, the house has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and open-concept principal rooms.

"The floor plan works really well," Ms. Brown says. "There is no formal living room, but they have a formal dining room for those times when they're entertaining."

For daily use, there is a rear great room that opens to the adjacent kitchen. The great room has a gas fireplace, pot lights and decorative columns, while the kitchen features maple cabinetry, a deep pantry and an island with a built-in wine rack. The breakfast area has a cathedral ceiling with a skylight, multiple windows and a door to the backyard.

Off the main foyer, French doors open to the den, which doubles as an office.

Upstairs, three bedrooms have walk-in closets. Two bedrooms have private bathrooms, including the master, while the third opens to a balcony. The fourth bedroom has a semi-en suite bathroom; there also is a powder room on the main level.

There is a double driveway leading to the garage.

February 15, 2008

75 CONSTANCE ST.

ASKING PRICE: $599,000

SELLING PRICE: $589,000

TAXES: $4,742 (2007)

LOT SIZE: 30 by 120 feet

DAYS ON THE MARKET: 11

CO-OP AGENT: Nutan Brown, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

The buyers of this 2½-storey residence were looking specifically for an investment property. The rental building has three self-contained units and, according to agent Nutan Brown, was a more attractive choice than some other rental properties in the High Park area.

The roughly 90-year-old house has been well-maintained, and original features such as hardwood floors and large windows have been retained.

"All the mechanics have been updated, so it's a nice combination of old world, plus modern conveniences," Ms. Brown says.

Another attraction for the buyers was that the long-term renters wanted to stay. "If you've got great tenants, it saves you a lot of time and energy trying to rent the places out," the agent says.

Location is also a plus: It's a 10-minute walk to the subway, the park, and the shops and cafés on Roncesvalles Avenue.

Each of the three units has two appliances in the kitchen and a four-piece bathroom.

There is one bedroom in both the main-floor and basement units. The former has separate living and dining rooms, while the latter has a single principal room.

The third and largest unit occupies the two upper floors, and contains two bedrooms, an office, formal living and dining rooms and a deck off the kitchen.

Each tenant has access to a coin-operated washer and dryer in the basement, as well as the backyard.