Done Deal, 3858 West 2nd Ave., Vancouver
3858 WEST SECOND AVE., VANCOUVER
ASKING PRICE $1.999-million
SELLING PRICE $2.5-million
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICES $255,000 (1981); $94,500 (1978)
TAXES $7,213 (2010)
DAYS ON THE MARKET eight
LISTING AGENT Patricia Houlihan, Macdonald Realty
The Action: Agent Patricia Houlihan advised the sellers of this updated residence to list it for one week, despite an offer that came in before the first open house.
Shortly after that, it sold in a bidding war between local and offshore buyers from Mainland China, who are showing an increased interest in $2-million properties in this area north of 4th Avenue and west of Alma Street.
What They Got: Though this 48- by 118-foot corner lot is slightly smaller than average, it has room for a 3,509-square-foot house built in 1949, deep south-facing backyard and a separate nanny suite.
The main floor contains two bedrooms, a living room with a gas fireplace, a dining room, kitchen and skylit solarium with vaulted ceilings and a walkout the deck.
The top floor houses an office and master suite with a walk-in closet and one of four bathrooms.
The self-contained basement has a nearly identical two-bedroom layout as the main floor, but instead of a sun room, it has a laundry and mudroom with access to the garage.
It is a five-minute walk to the beach, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and Jericho Tennis Club, as well as shops and restaurants.
The Agent's Take: "Some people were not keen on the property because it is located across the street from some rental housing, however, it is on a bright corner lot two blocks from Point Grey Road – Vancouver's prominent waterfront street," Ms. Houlihan says.
"Just a year ago, houses in this pocket were sitting on the market, but suddenly offers are coming in even before the homes are shown."