Done Deal, 73 Elsfield Rd., Toronto
73 Elsfield Rd., Toronto
Asking price: $739,900
Selling price: $850,000
Previous selling price: $397,000 (2001); $11,502 (1957)
Taxes: $4,949 (2010)
Lot size: 50 by 117 feet
Days on the market: six
Listing agent: Terri Perras, Coldwell Banker Terrequity Realty
There was so much interest in this detached, 1.5-storey house, about 70 showings were booked and hundreds of buyers showed up at the open house, says agent Terri Perras.
"As people came out, we'd let people in, kind of like a night club," she says. "It was nuts."
Though bidding wars are common in the Sunnylea community, this roughly 70-year-old house brought in ten offers, including one $110,100 over the asking price, likely based on the contemporary renovations done by the sellers, who are graphic designers.
"It's nice to see a modern spin on a more traditional home," says Ms. Perras, who explains that it was even featured in two home decor magazines. "I thought it was fantastic."
One of most obvious change was the removal of several walls on the main floor of the house. "Because it has a centre hall plan, you still have the stairs acting as a natural divider between the kitchen and the living and dining room," says Ms. Perras.
Along one side of the house, the galley kitchen was remodeled with limestone counters and open stainless steel shelves and appliances, plus hardwood floors and pot lights that were also installed throughout this level.
The living and dining area features a walkout to the professionally landscaped backyard and a classic wood burning fireplace with a modern concrete surround. "All the treatments in the house were very unique," adds Ms. Perras.
Another prime example would be the use of a sliding walnut barn door in the living room. It hides a staircase to a third bedroom built above the garage with an entrance to the adjacent master bedroom upstairs.
"It's very cool," says Ms. Perras. "The way the homeowners used it, was as a nursery."
Other conveniences include two bathrooms and a lower level recreation room with a second fireplace and built-in shelving.
Last of all, there is potential for future expansion on the 50 by 117-foot lot. "Typical homes in Sunnylea can be as low as 25 and up to 40 or 45-feet [feet wide]" adds Ms. Perras.