Rear view of the house at 15 Acland.
15 ACLAND CRES., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $750,000
SELLING PRICE $781,500
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICES $455,000 (2002); $320,000 (1998)
TAXES $3,740 (2012)
DAYS ON THE MARKET Eight
LISTING AGENT Heather Lemieux, Royal LePage Connect Realty
The Action: Just to the north of a small ravine system wandering through the Highland Creek community, this detached bungalow wrangled four competing offers, as many properties do in the area.
What They Got: A canopy of trees shade private residences on a cul-de-sac off a prestigious street, including this roughly 50-year-old bungalow which was renovated and expanded on a 100-by-173-foot lot with an interlocking patio, in-ground pool, hot tub and cabana.
Some of the best views of the south-facing backyard are from a wide balcony off a sky-lit sun room and fireside living room flanking the kitchen, and from patio doors in a lower-level recreation room with a gas fireplace.
There is a private bathroom and walk-in closet in the largest of three bedrooms, but the previous owners created a larger and more lavish version of the master suite in the basement.
Supporting conveniences include a dining area and two bathrooms, in addition to a central vacuum system and direct entry into the garage.
The Agent's Take: "There are a lot of bungalows in that area, but not a ranch bungalow with a double car garage, walkout basement, ravine and pool," agent Heather Lemieux said. "It was a real entertainer's house. You could just imagine the parties that would go on there."
For instance, occupants could easily roam from a lively setting to a tranquil one. "Everyone that had an offer in wanted the pool because there was so much land beside the pool and it was fenced in, so if they had young children, it wasn't going to be an issue. And there was a stream going along the back of the property too," the agent says.
"The people who owned it made a part of the basement into the real master [suite], and because it was above grade, there were above-grade windows – you look over the ravine."