Done Deal, 71 Melville Ave., TorontoCiking Wang
71 MELVILLE AVE., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $977,000
SELLING PRICE $977,000
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICE $460,000 (2009)
TAXES $3,540 (2012)
DAYS ON THE MARKET Four
LISTING AGENTS Nancy, Elden and Daniel Freeman and Randi Kwinta, Freeman Real Estate Ltd.
The Action: Though there was little on the market last fall, this detached, three-storey house was not underpriced to attract buyers, nor were offers held off for a later date to generate a stampede. So the first offer was accepted after a couple days of steady showings.
What They Got: Over the past few years, the owner and designer of this century-old house completely modernized the space, starting with basics, such as new windows, roofing and mechanics.
More complex planning went into removing a fifth bedroom to create a walk-in closet and fourth bathroom for the master suite and improving the flow between the fireside living and dining rooms and rear kitchen and family room with a second fireplace, cathedral ceilings, plank hardwood floors and French doors to a south-facing deck and double garage.
Practical features include a third-floor office, a second-floor laundry room and full basement with a walkout to the 20-by-116-foot lot.
The Agent's Take: "It was really turnkey. Someone could move in and not do anything, which is unusual for a million-dollar [home] in the area," says agent Elden Freeman, who could imagine living there himself. "It had all the elements of a much bigger, grander house."
For instance, the seller elevated both its style and substance. "She did things for herself and put a lot of thought into it. Even when you came into the foyer, there was good storage and little details that make life easier for people," adds Mr. Freeman. "She opened it up and made a master bedroom ensuite, which is very unusual in the area."
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.