54 VALHALLA BLVD., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $649,900
SELLING PRICE $645,000
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICES $563,000 (2011); $335,000 (2005)
TAXES $4,565 (2013)
DAYS ON THE MARKET Eight
CO-OP AGENTS Irene Kaushansky and Philip Brown, Keller Williams Neighbourhood Realty
The Action: Agents Irene Kaushansky and Philip Brown redirected their clients to the Birch Cliff community after an unsatisfying search for a large Beaches home with a backyard within their mid-$600,000 budget. That's where they found 10 suitable candidates, including this updated, detached residence that graced the pages of home design magazines.
What They Got: Several years ago, a previous owner – and designer – of this roughly 80-year-old house not only modernized its look and layout, but also replaced the roof and mechanics, enclosed the sunroom with new windows and doors, and added a custom shed at the back of the 30-by-134-foot lot.
Renovations opened up sight lines between the living room, central dining area and kitchen, which was remodelled with a fireplace, Carrera topped-island, stainless steel appliances and steps to a new sunken family room with heated floors, a second bathroom and patio doors.
The top floor features laminate floors in the three bedrooms, while the lower-level recreation room was finished with carpeting and pot lights.
The Agent's Take: "It's a very nice street with lots of trees and is still reasonably close to the Beach," Ms. Kaushansky said. "It has a great yard and lots of parking."
Inside, the buyers liked the open flow between principal rooms. "They do a lot of entertaining and cooking, so it was the main floor that clinched it for them," Ms. Kaushansky added.
"The main floor had a family room addition that … had a big, nice, open feel with big windows overlooking the yard and a cool poured concrete floor."
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.