89 BIDEWELL AVE., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $1,198,000
SELLING PRICE $1,150,118
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICE $495,000 (2002)
TAXES $5,651 (2013)
DAYS ON THE MARKET 33
CO-OP AGENT Ira Jelinek, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.
The action: Limited to a roughly million-dollar budget, agent Ira Jelinek searched between Thornhill and midtown Toronto for grand residences in need of some work for his clients.
The year-long mission ended when they connected with this detached residence near the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.
What they got: Major components of this more than 40-year-old house were updated, such as a new air conditioning system, heated marble floors in the largest of three bathrooms, and granite counters, stainless steel appliances and a walkout to a custom deck off the eat-in kitchen.
The layout is formal with a fireside living room, a dining area and lower-level recreation room with a second stone fireplace, pot lights and broadloom carpeting.
Three sleeping quarters are located upstairs, including a master suite with a walk-in closet and powder room, plus a guest bedroom in the basement.
Indoor and outdoor parking are available on the 65-by-157-foot lot.
The agent's take: "This is extraordinary because it is a huge property compared to others we looked at and others in the area," Mr. Jelinek says.
"[The average] for this area is 40-feet frontage and this is 65-feet, and it has a two-car garage, others have one-car garages."
The buyers also liked the home's setting and state. "It has good value and potential," adds Mr. Jelinek.
"[Plus] it is one of the nicer streets in the area."