20 PAYNTER DR., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $998,000
SELLING PRICE $1,011,000
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICE $482,000 (2000); $418,000 (1994); $411,000 (1991)
TAXES $6,015 (2012)
DAYS ON THE MARKET Two
LISTING AND CO-OP AGENT Bill Thom, Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc.
The action: Properties backing onto a ravine meandering through Hillcrest Village rarely appear on the market yet this detached residence did not secure a deal last year.
So late this winter, a different agent, Bill Thom, relisted the home for the same price, but suggested minor cosmetic improvements and produced more flattering photographs of the property. The changes encouraged roughly 20 buyers to book a visit, a few of which concluded with the submission of an offer.
What they got: On a 47-by-138-foot lot, this less than 40-year-old, brick house features newer hardwood floors and picture windows throughout, from the fireside den and sky lit family room with cathedral ceilings to a rear living room with a walkout to an upper deck and a dining area off the renovated kitchen.
For privacy, there are four upper bedrooms, including one with his and her closets, another with a full bathroom and a master suite with both those features, plus an guest bedroom by a lower level recreation room with a gas fireplace and sliding patio doors.
Modern conveniences include a main floor laundry room, two additional bathrooms, direct access to a double garage and central vacuum system.
The agent's take: "[The buyers] liked this because of the ravine and the famous school, A.Y. Jackson," Mr. Thom said. "The house has an upgraded kitchen with granite countertops, a finished walkout basement and tableland ravine, meaning it's all flat instead of sloping downwards.
"And it's actually pretty big with a main floor family room, a den beside the living and dining room and an eat-in kitchen, so it's definitely at least 3,000 square feet on the top two levels."
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.