OUT OF TOWN: OWEN SOUND

A mix of town and cottage on Georgian Bay

KATHERINE LAIDLAW

Special to The Globe and Mail

May 9, 2008

The small town of Owen Sound is located on Georgian Bay, at the mouth of the Sydenham River, and it straddles the sound after which it's named.

With a population of approximately 22,000, the town has a mix of permanent homes and cottages, says David Cheer, president of the Realtors Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound.

"You have a city population and you also have people who live along the shore of the sound on both sides."

As of last month, the average selling price of a home there was about $210,000, according to Mr. Cheer.

"The housing market ... is fairly steady," he says, adding that high-end developments just outside the town in Cobble Beach are drawing more people to the area.

Every winter, busloads of people come to the town to see the Northern Lights, Mr. Cheer says. "[Visitors] line the river."

777 SECOND AVE. WEST

ASKING PRICE: $349,900

AGENT: Marylon Hall, ReMax Grey Bruce Realty, Owen Sound

THE PROPERTY: A detached, two-storey house with four bedrooms and 1½ bathrooms on a 31- by 150-foot lot.

DESCRIPTION: The backyard of this century home is lined with perennial gardens and it extends right to the river. The property is situated a block and a half from the downtown strip, which, among other things, has an art gallery, library and farmers' market. The house itself features gleaming hardwood flooring throughout.

The main floor includes the living room, which contains a gas fireplace with a wood mantel and cast-iron front, as well as the dining room, kitchen and a powder room. The second floor is taken up by four bedrooms and a four-piece bathroom.

A second staircase leads from the second floor hallway to the attic, which is divided into three separate rooms, one of which is a kitchenette. The other two are ideal for an office or den.

NOTABLE: The recently renovated kitchen has new oak hardwood flooring and ash Shaker-style cabinetry in the kitchen.

1150 4TH AVE. WEST

ASKING PRICE: $199,900

AGENT: Jan Gibson, Century 21 Twin County Realty, Owen Sound

THE PROPERTY: A detached, 2½-storey house with four bedrooms and two bathrooms on a 33- by 88-foot lot.

DESCRIPTION: This home, just four blocks from the river, has the original oak woodwork from when it was built more than a hundred years ago. There is hardwood flooring throughout, and stained-glass windows in the foyer, living room and dining room. French doors in the foyer open to the living room, which has a wood-burning fireplace. Further back are the dining room, kitchen, family room and powder room. Three bedrooms and a four-piece bathroom are upstairs. The finished attic houses the master bedroom.

NOTABLE: An interlocking brick walkway leads along the side of the house from a covered front porch to a large backyard deck.

485 13TH ST. WEST

ASKING PRICE: $189,000

AGENT: Ellan Muir, Homelife Bayside Realty, Owen Sound

THE PROPERTY: A detached, 2½-storey house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms on a 30- by 198-foot lot.

DESCRIPTION: Built circa 1920, this home features a large veranda in front, along with spacious stained-glass windows on the main floor. The living and dining rooms, as well as a great room with a gas fireplace, kitchen with maple Shaker-style cabinets and a three-piece bathroom are located on the first level.

Two bedrooms, a four-piece bathroom and a den can be found on the second floor. A staircase from the den leads up to the master bedroom on the top level. The home has two separate basements, both of which are unfinished and used for storage; one has laundry facilities. A mutual driveway leads to a parking area in back that can hold two cars.

NOTABLE: The doors in the great room open to a 255-square foot deck that overlooks the property's deep, fenced-in backyard.