212 OAKCREST AVE., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $549,000
SELLING PRICE $675,000
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICE $319,000 (2010); $125,000 (1992)
TAXES $3,021 (2014)
DAYS ON THE MARKET Five
LISTING AGENT Anil Khera, Royal LePage West Realty Group Ltd.
The Action: No staging was necessary to enhance the existing assets of this renovated semi-detached house, which was explored by about 50 house hunters, including 30 open house attendees. Despite numerous east-end alternatives, one buyer made a substantial pre-emptive offer rather than risk losing the house in a bidding war.
What They Got: This more than century-old home was owned by architects who modernized its mechanics, layout and aesthetics, apparent from bamboo floors in the living room to a galley kitchen with stainless steel appliances, sleek cabinetry and a glass door to the 16-by-100-foot grounds and detached garage off a laneway.
The top floor is divided for two bedrooms with new doors and the lower level has a carpeted office area, guest room and secondary bathroom.
The Agent's Take: "[The sellers] completely transformed the house from what they purchased into what you see now with some very contemporary and interesting, yet functional design ideas," says agent Anil Khera.
"[For instance] they managed to put a whole bank of floor-to-ceiling cupboards all along the dining room wall, right into the kitchen, creating tons of storage, which is lacking in smaller homes."
Efficiency did not come at the cost of style, as demonstrated by the floating, glass-walled staircase. "It doesn't close off the stairs from the living space and with open stairs, you can see through the glass and stairs, which give it a nice, larger feel," Mr. Khera notes.
"Rather than having all the doors open into the halls or bedrooms … they put them on sliders – almost like barn doors."
Editor's note: Done Deals contain information gathered from real estate agents, home buyers, home sellers and sale prices that are publicly available from government sources. While we try to publish Done Deals as soon as possible after the transaction has occurred, long closings can cause delays.