522 WEST 8th AVE., UNIT 203, VANCOUVER
LIST PRICE $524,000
SALE PRICE $504,200
PREVIOUS SALE PRICE $490,000 (2009)
TAXES $2,121 (2012)
DAYS ON MARKET 120+
LISTING AGENT Glenn Feldstein, Blu Realty
The Action: This two-level townhouse loft is in a building that has only eight townhouses, located in one of Vancouver's more central neighbourhoods. But unit size and its location in a busy downtown neighbourhood was a turnoff for many house hunters. Consequently, the unit took more than four months to sell.
What They Got: The 772-square-foot unit in the 88-unit Crossroads is located in Fairview, which is on the south side of False Creek. It's well connected to the rest of the city with two Canada Line stations.
Although the unit is unique, the living room is small. There's a third-level rooftop patio with a garden for vegetable growing. The Crossroads was built in 2009 and is under warranty and rain-screened. Building features include a 4,000-square-foot health club, bike storage, parking, and proximity to rapid transit and shopping at Whole Foods.
The suite itself has over-height ceilings, a huge patio off the living room, a den, storage and Juliet balcony off the bedroom, with views of the North Shore.
The Agent's Take: "Everyone who came through the door really liked the building, the finishings within the unit, the two large patios, the nine-foot ceilings," real estate agent Glenn Feldstein said. "But it came down to the size of the living room for nearly everyone. Some people also found the area to be a little too busy for them, even though it gets really quiet in the evening."
Kerry Gold