85 LAVINIA AVE., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $759,000
SELLING PRICE $745,100
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICE $207,500 (1996)
TAXES $5,510 (2010)
DAYS ON THE MARKET Eight
LISTING AGENT Theodore Babiak, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd
The Action: A public open house on the weekend drew out more than 80 potential buyers to this older two-storey residence in Swansea.
What They Got: Built into a sloped ravine lot with maple trees and perennial gardens, this roughly 70-year-old house was expanded and modernized over the course of 12 years. For instance, the two bathrooms were redone, a rear two-storey addition with decks was created and highly efficient heating and cooling equipment were installed.
The original section of the home contains a front living room, a built-in desk by the staircase to a second-floor master suite with operable skylights, and an updated kitchen with birch cabinetry, concrete counters and stainless steel appliances.
The new dining area and family room at the rear has access to a private outdoor space.
The basement houses three bedrooms, including a new one with an exit to a partially covered tiered deck.
There is two-car parking off the lane and a former garage, which is a 600-square-foot space with 12-foot ceilings, power, plumbing and a separate forced air heating unit.
The property is a few doors south of a community centre and library, up the street from Swansea school and recreation facilities at Rennie Park, and within a 10-minute walk to High Park, Bloor West Village and the subway.
The Agent’s Take: “It stands out for a number of reasons,” says agent Theodore Babiak, who cites its proximity to countless amenities as an obvious perk.
“It’s much larger than it appears from the street – almost 2,700 square feet – and the most recent renovations have been green and energy smart with super insulation, sustainable materials like bamboo and cork floors, HardiPlank siding and low volatile organic compound paints.”
