Done Deal, 1320 Islington Ave., Toronto
1320 ISLINGTON AVE., NO. 1704, TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $468,000
SELLING PRICE $495,200
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICES $345,000 (2004); $271,500 (1999); $316,000 (1989)
TAXES $2,617 (2011)
DAYS ON THE MARKET Five
LISTING AGENTS Jill Stewart and Robert LePage, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.
The Action: In the Barclay Terrace residence just up the street from Islington subway station, this three-bedroom suite received requests for showings from 17 buyers, including four who later engaged in a bidding war.
What They Got: On the southeast side of a roughly 25-year-old high-rise, this 1,274-square-foot suite has a sense of grandeur with large picture windows and traditional details, such as crown moulding in the living room and wainscoting in the dining area off the updated kitchen.
The master bedrooms contains his-and-her closets and the largest of two refinished bathrooms.
Essential conveniences consist of en suite laundry machines, a locker and underground parking.
A monthly fee of $634 covers the cost of all utilities, cable and upkeep of facilities, from a gym, indoor pool, squash and tennis courts to a party room and visitor parking.
The Agent's Take: "One of the benefits of this unit is that it has three bedrooms, which is hard to come by anywhere, and it had a south-east view," says agent Jill Stewart, who explains that the frenzy over this suite may have stemmed from the recent sale of a nearly identical unit.
"Some of these folks may have seen that other unit and felt they missed out on something."
Many buyers, especially empty-nesters, also liked that the building provides onsite activities, from fitness classes to bridge clubs. "It has quite a good social calendar," Ms. Stewart said. "What's pretty exceptional about that building is that their maintenance fees are very reasonable for what you get."