Done Deal, 43 Birchview Cres., Toronto
43 BIRCHVIEW CRES., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $599,900
SELLING PRICE $642,900
TAXES $5,794 (2011)
DAYS ON THE MARKET 12
LISTING AGENTS Tanya Sidorova and Michael Inwood, Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc.
The Action: Earlier this year, few properties in the High Park and Bloor West Village community were priced around $600,000. So the estate sale of this vacant detached residence on a quiet court north of Bloor Street struck a chord with more than 160 buyers whose agents arranged on-site tours.
Nine of those visitors returned to make an offer and participated in a bidding war.
What They Got: Behind the brick walls of this 80-year-old structure, there are four bedrooms upstairs, two bathrooms and formal spaces, like the foyer and dining room, with wood trims, hardwood floors, French doors and decorative wainscoting.
For entertaining, there is a living room with a wood-burning fireplace and a lower level family room, plus a deck off the kitchen for al fresco dining with a view of the tiered garden.
Off to the side is a detached garage and mutual driveway.
The Agent's Take: "The house needed everything. It had no heat or water and part of the ceiling was collapsing. However, it had great potential for a family," says agent Michael Inwood. "It had four bedrooms and a finished basement [with]perfect height [as]I'm 6 ft, 5 and I could walk in the basement, no problem."
Physical flaws were also easier to overlook given its prime address. "The location was fantastic, five minutes to High Park and Runnymede subway station, three minutes to High Park and five minutes to Bloor West Village shops," adds Mr. Inwood.