Spring Blooms Fresh Beginnings
As a realtor with a multi-disciplinary education in Housing and over twenty years of sales experience, I’ve helped hundreds of people buy, renovate, develop and sell property. What I find particularly fascinating, both as a topic of study and as a top-producer, is witnessing how the culture of Canadian housing has evolved.
Once upon a time housing was primarily considered a place to call Home. Like the proverbial fairy tale, two sweethearts would meet, fall in love and settle down. Said newlyweds would buy their first house, raise their children, cultivate a community (and a garden) while sheltering themselves from the trials and tribulations of everyday living. And there they stayed happily ever after.
Today, our dwellings are now viewed primarily as a commodity in our investment portfolio, serving as temporary shelter until sweat equity, calculated risk or market conditions allow us to move up the property ladder into a bigger and better place. Our first place is more likely a condo, located in an on-the-go urban setting and probably too small for a kid, let alone two. From there one might leap to a bigger condo followed by a townhome, securing a slice of terra firma for the kids to play. But the prospect of realizing the Canadian dream of a detached house with private parking in a family-friendly neighbourhood is something that may take far longer to achieve than previous generations.
There are a multitude of factors which have influenced this reality. Increasing population density, spiraling construction and land costs, plus government development levies have made housing costs skyrocket. The role of the media has also exerted its influence on the housing market. With hundreds of shelter magazine, websites, and a 24/7 rotating loop of television programs constantly bombarding us with images of dream homes dripping in stainless steel appliances, granite counters and a sea of recessed lighting, our consumer behavior has been subconsciously influenced into elevating our expectations. Add to that the pressures of a limited (in fact shrinking) supply of detached housing and an exponential growth in demand, then it is no wonder that the proverbial fairy tale of yesteryear can now take a lifetime to achieve, if at all.
This brings me to introduce 14 Stuart Crescent. Thirty years ago my sellers bought this first house and moved in. Originally teenage sweethearts, they raised their kids, cultivated their garden, and embraced their community. The kids played road hockey. The family celebrated birthdays with hot dogs on the barbecue. And as the kids grew into adults, they spent summer nights with drinks on the deck under patio lanterns. There was no need to climb the property ladder. There was no need for bigger and better. Stuart Crescent was perfect. Stuart Crescent was Home.
This house doesn’t have stainless steel appliances, granite counters, or a sea of recessed lighting, but the moment I walked in I knew it offers an intangible quality increasingly rare and far more difficult to obtain. It’s the energy of a well-loved, well-maintained, and cherished Home. Infused with thirty years of a stable family life, you can feel the essence of loving parents, laughing children, and Sunday roast dinners. So whatever shortcomings this property may have in the eyes of today’s expectations, may I just say it is my pleasure and delight to present this rare offering.
Welcome to 14 Stuart Crescent.
Located south of Sheppard Avenue west of Yonge Street, this Home Sweet Home is a commuter’s paradise. For the auto-reliant it’s moments to Yonge Street and Highway 401, and for the transit-friendly it’s a short walk to the Sheppard Subway Station. How fantastic is that? If part of your daily ritual includes decompressing amidst nature, it’s a hop, skip and a jump to plenty of lush green space and amazing ravines to stroll. And for those with children, it’s close to Cameron Public School, and steps from the future site of a Catholic School.
This residence is also near all the lifestyle amenities that make for a rich urban life. On Yonge Street there’s a myriad of restaurants and shops, an Extreme Fitness Centre, a massive Cineplex Odeon movie complex and the popular Toronto Centre for the Arts. Have you seen the musical South Pacific? It’s currently playing! If you lived here you could walk to a performance!
Built around 1951, this former three bedroom bungalow is sheltered by mature trees and set behind a mature evergreen hedge. With its welcoming front porch, the residence unfolds with a generous foyer containing a double closet and built-in desk with shelving. To the left is a well-proportioned living room with hardwood floors under the unfitted broadloom and a pretty south-facing picture window. Directly beyond the foyer is a sun-drenched galley kitchen that has a breakfast bar and sliding doors that walk-out to a raised deck. Off the kitchen, the former third bedroom now serves as a formal dining room with hardwood floors and garden vista. Isn’t it charming?
On the main level are two bedrooms and a renovated four-piece bath. Having an abundance of built-ins including headboard with shelving and custom-fitted closets, these light-filled airy bedrooms also feature original hardwood floors.
The lower level offers loads of additional living space. Having a decent ceiling height, there is a workshop area designated for laundry and utilities, an open concept home office and recreation room that feature an abundance of built-ins including shelving and two desks, plus an oversized third bedroom with double closets and its own four-piece washroom. It’s been ideal quarters for moody teens.
Situated on a coveted 50x133 foot lot with private drive and carport, although the house is well-maintained and in good nick save for a few aspects (please see the pre-sale home inspection summary or request the full report by email), there’s no doubt the property’s value lay principally in the land. Whether the house is the perfect size as-is, or your intent is to top up or build new, what’s of special merit is the owners’ thirty years of careful cultivation and loving attention to the now mature fully landscaped garden. With a spectacular array of flora and accompanying indigenous fauna, this enchanting ‘more English than England’ garden offers meandering paths, places for solitude, a charming arbor with fire feature, and a tea-for-two sundeck.
Offered for the first time in thirty years, this house called Home marries its loving energy with a Triple AAA location. With unlimited potential, this property is nothing less than a prudent intelligent purchase regardless of where you sit on the property ladder. With offers being received by email on March 24th, please know the sellers preferred closing would be for July or August 2011.
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