Toronto’s Best Houses And Condos Of 2014 By urbaneer

Annex / South Annex / Seaton Village, College Street / Little Italy, Corso Italia / Davenport, Leslieville/Riverside, Queen West, Riverdale / Playter Estates, St. Lawrence Market, The Danforth, Wychwood / Humewood - Cedarvale, Yorkville / Summerhill / Rosedale

Happy New Year! We wish you joy, prosperity & keys to a New Home!

As we roll into 2015, we thought we'd complement one of our fav 'zines 'Toronto Life' and their '15 Toronto houses and condos that were actually worth the money in 2014' by showcasing our own 2014 “Home of the Month' features to give you a better sense of the kinds of properties we sell, and the reasons why. Spanning the original City of Toronto, here is a glimpse at what some of our Buyers purchased this past year!

 

January 2014 Home Of The Month – Annex Yorkville List $599,000 Sold $610,100. When our single professional Buyer relocated to Toronto from London, England, she requested a turn-key, easy-to-maintain home in the centre of the city. After a diligent eight month search, she secured this chic stylish 2-bed 2-bath third floor suite on Davenport west of Avenue Road. Boasting 1175 square feet of interior living space, two balconies + parking and locker, this spacious condominium featured an elegant L-shaped entertainment zone with crown moldings, a gas fireplace, and even a charming leaded bay window. Centrally-located with a 'house-in-the-sky' feel, we loved the well-proportioned master bedroom with walk-through custom-fitted closet and indulgent spa bath, the second bedroom with washroom, and the luxe designer kitchen with stone counters and recently-installed five-burner gas range. One of 24 suites in 'The Residences of Designer's Walk' – an intimate 4-storey condominium complex completed in 2000 – this was a terrific purchase for our single professional female.

 

February 2014 Home Of The Month – Trinity Bellwoods List $1,249,000 Sold $1,356,100. Just as this gorgeous house offered at $1,249,000 was coming to the attention of readers of Toronto Life, this property went into competition as seven Buyers battled it out for the privilege of acquiring one of the most tasteful renovations Queen West Village had seen in a long time. Not to mention it's in a stellar location just steps from Trinity Bellwoods Park, which has become the City's urban green space epicentre. Our Buyers, a busy professional urbane couple who lived in a Queen West condominium sought a detached residence to put down permanent roots. The result? This exquisite renovated, restored and rebuilt contemporary dwell just steps to Trinity Bellwoods Park. Meticulously designed, this 3+1 Bedroom, 4 bath house had a dream open concept gourmet kitchen, an indulgent master ensuite and a superb dug-down 8 foot high lower level with walk-out. This lived up to its “No Compromise!” claim!

 

March 2014 Home Of The Month – St. Clair / Bathurst List $1,195,000 Sold $1,100,018. When our clients relocated to Toronto from Vancouver, they embarked on their house hunt with limited knowledge of the City. As a result, not only did they have to navigate a housing market which is oscillating at a frenetic pace, but they also had a vertical learning curve trying to determine which neighbourhood was the right fit for them. Shocked when a modest upgraded semi-detached three bedroom residence in Riverdale, listed at $649,900 soared 21% over the asking price to $785,100 with 13 offers, they wisely shifted their focus to larger merchant class properties with an income supplement. The one that ultimately caught their eye was a purpose-built duplex dating from the 1920s located just south of St. Clair west of Bathurst steps from the popular Wychwood Barns. This massive property, with two legal addresses, had been in the same family for several generations. On the main level was a large two-bedroom apartment of around 950 square feet with original details like wood floors, a separate formal dining room and character trim. The second and third floors comprised a massive four-bedroom two-bath suite of around 1500 square feet. On completion, they began converting the lower level to a third unit to pay down their mortgage and ensure this long-term investment could serve their growing family now, and in the future.

 

April 2014 Home Of The Month – Trinity Bellwoods. List $799,900 Sold $900,189. This luscious Rubik's-cube of lovingly-renovated-by-proud-homeowner perfection was featured in Toronto Life the week following its sale. This was after three Buyers swung it out for the privilege of securing one of the first quality renovations in this particular leg of Dovercourt Road extending south of Queen Street West. With close proximity to all the attractions of Queen West itself, and yet within a short stroll to Trinity Bellwoods Park, this abode was an ideal marriage of size, space plan, centre-of-it-all location and outstanding condition. Featuring gleaming hardwood floors, exposed brick, and new building components including new wiring, plumbing, electrical and windows, this open concept space with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, main floor laundry and powder room included a finished basement and detached garage, making it the ideal turn-key residence for our single professional Buyer. For those seeking Queen West Village, securing a house in top-notch condition for under $1million is rare to find!

 

May 2014 Home Of The Month – Corso Italia List $649,000 Sold $731,000. One of the best parts of a realtor's life is being witness to the bloom of love. Adorable girl meets cute boy…they date, become smitten, and after a suitable (or whirlwind) courtship said couple cohabitate in their newly purchased place of domestic bliss. This white picket fence fairy tale of everyday life makes this curmudgeon smile every time. Like many couples looking for a long-term home, their spatial criteria included three or four bedrooms, onsite parking for at least one car, and a garden of decent proportions. Their solution? After losing out on an upgraded semi near Dupont and Symington after it garnered 32 offers and spiked 33% over its $639,900 list price to land at $848,625, our Buyers headed to up-and-coming Corso Italia to secure this renovated semi-detached 4-bedroom Edwardian brimming with charm. Already significantly renovated, including a stunning kitchen and spa washroom, this was the ideal beginning for their domestic bliss in a dynamite trendy locale.

 

June 2014 Home Of The Month – The Annex List $1,349,000. Sold $1,325,000 Our lovely Buyers, a young professional couple who work in the financial district, had been searching for a couple of years before they were referred to urbaneer.com. During their initial search, these Buyers saw prices climb 10 percent, so when they enlisted our services we collectively knew it was critical we focus on finding a property at the max of their budget which would meet their current, and future, needs. When this former-triplex now single-family with basement apartment came to market, we quickly determined this impressive renovated gem ticked all their boxes! It offered plenty of space to entertain, featured soaring ceilings, four skylights, exposed brick and immaculate maple floors. Well-maintained, located just up the street from highly-coveted Sibelius Park and in proximity to Huron Street School, and with a two bedroom basement suite ready to rent for around $1400 per month, this instant family home offered a future multi-unit income supplement in a Triple AAA location. Brilliant!

 

July 2014 Home Of The Month – St. Lawrence Market List $599,000 Sold $621,100. When our professional female client relocated back to Toronto after a stint out west, she enlisted our services to find the ideal residence for under $650,000. Her wish list included a property that didn't require a substantial overhaul, had some unique or lofty features, and had great light and outdoor space which would be near her work in Toronto's central business district. This King's Court suite at 230 King East, perched on the south-west corner of the fourth floor, boasted 1120 square feet of interior living space plus a massive L-shaped brick-walled terrace of nearly 400 square feet located behind the historical pediment of the original bank building component of the condominium. With an expansive open concept entertainment zone, the unit featured two bedrooms and two baths including a master bedroom sanctuary which was an astonishing 10 x 27 feet with a walk-in closet and ensuite bath. Better still, the quiet outdoor 'courtyard' ambience of the terrace felt more European than bright-lights big-city. This was a score!

 

August 2014 Home Of The Month – The Danforth List $529,000 Sold $605,000. Our Buyers – a delightful engaging couple – had to balance their budget and their location to serve both their needs. Like many home buyers – where she takes the subway to her work in the central business district while he drives to his job east in the suburbs – finding the ideal location that accommodates two very different commutes was their challenge. Combining this critical factor was their budget for a freehold house, which was in the 550k to 600k range. Only a few weeks into their search they viewed this beautifully upgraded semi-detached dwelling three blocks from the Main Street Subway Station. With their preference for 3 bedrooms, and something which didn't require substantial renovations, this dwelling nestled on a quiet leafy street fit the bill. They competed against two other Buyers to secure this sweetheart of a Home -fully renovated, boasting a new modern kitchen, an open concept space plan, updated mechanicals, and a finished basement with a second washroom.

 

September 2014 Home Of The Month – South Annex List $1,350,000 Sold $1,471,000. Like many new arrivals relocating to Toronto, our Buyers – an academic couple with a young child – rented temporary accommodations while they explored the city-centre neighbourhoods to identify which might offer the best amenities, schools, and ease of commute for their new urban lives as a young family. With their professional lives at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University, they gravitated to the central west side with its family-friendly vibe, easy transportation links and the larger character-filled housing stock found in The Annex, South Annex and parts of Seaton Village. This Edwardian semi-detached twelve-room manse had been a beloved home to one family for nearly a decade. Situated steps to the Bathurst subway station, the cafe cultures of Mirvish Village, and the amenities of College Street, the renovated residence on Markham Street offered ample proportions, a massive third floor and a beautifully landscaped garden with detached two car garage. This was a great space to put down roots. After a prolonged search this family have found their Dream Home!

 

October 2014 Home Of The Month – Audley Court In The Annex List $459,000 Sold Low $500s. When our Buyers identified the Annex as their dream location, we were hesitant to think that we could locate something in their $500,000 budget. Fortunately, serendipity presented a vintage suite in Audley Court! Converted in 1986, these half-floor 2 bedroom 1-bath condominiums of around 1300 square feet run from the front to back of the building with windows wrapping three sides. Featuring all the patina of those classic New York Style apartments including well-proportioned formal rooms with high ceilings, oak floors, coved beamed ceilings and generous baseboards and – even more special – the oversized balconies out front that harken back to the century-old verandah, this suite was offered for sale for the first time since its conversion to condominiums back in 1986. While it retained most of its original charm, it also had a circa 1986 kitchen, a serviceable but dated washroom and a lot of old broadloom. Without question any buyer needed a 'vision' – and the where with all to tackle upgrading a suite in an intimate 8-suite building – but despite these shortcomings it offered great value for the dollar. Where else can you buy in The Annex – a Triple AAA location – for half a million dollars on a street where homes sell for $2million?

 

November 2014 Home Of The Month – Bloorline Lofts At Bloor Lansdowne List $339,000 Sold $351,100. Our single Buyer knew exactly what she wanted. A first time buyer who had been diligently saving every cent, she dreamed of purchasing a vintage loft that had all the character and patina lacking more modern builds. She found this in the 2004 Bloorline Lofts conversion – a former mattress factory near Bloor and Lansdowne – featuring its own fusion of original details with modern finishes including ample windows, exposed factory architecture, and soaring wooden ceilings. This updated loft has its own private entry from the courtyard, making it feel more like a 'Coach House' than a condominium with elevators. Coming up the stairs, the loft featured a terrific open-plan entertainment space with blond maple floors, exposed ductwork, and industrial style stairs. We loved the two broad dormer windows that give the sleeping space an 'attic atelier' charm which, face it, is extremely rare to find in Toronto. While the white washroom and simple kitchen are modest, they provide the ideal canvas for our buyer to make it her own. And we love the top floor bedroom 'aerie' with its wood ceiling and expansive windows. How romantic is that?

 

December 2014 Home Of The Month – A Riverside Towne List $349,900 Sold $355,100. If you've been searching for an affordable 2-bedroom place to call home in the mid $300,000s, you know it isn't easy to find, especially if you require parking and a locker. Our buyer – a soon-to-be Dad – embarked on a search that led him to this rare-to-market 648 square foot 2-bedroom 1-bath unit. Located above-grade with a generous sun-drenched west-facing balcony, parking and locker in Rivertowne near Queen East and Broadview, this stylish pad boasted pre-engineered flooring, an east / west exposure, plus some pretty swish upgrades including stainless steel appliances, tiled backsplash, surround sound speakers, tasteful window treatments and closet organizers. This suite was the super model of efficiency, with zero wasted space but a place for everything! It also had reasonable common fees of around $240 per month. For our Buyer, this stellar offering outshone the competition in a great location to raise a child!

Which of these spoke to you?

These 12 diverse urban properties give a snapshot on the kind of Homes urbaneer sells. Serving first and second time buyers, relocations, renovators and those building their long term property portfolios, our mandate is to help our clients choose property which will realize the highest future return on their investment while ensuring the property best serves their practical needs and their dream of “Home” during their ownership. At Urbaneer, we identify a property's best qualities, features and insouciant charm in the context of your wishes and wants, plus your future target market. Although searching for the right property can be an intense and sometimes lengthy process it is, without fail, rewarding both to our clients and the urbaneer team. We are so grateful to be the realtor of choice for so many Torontonians, and new arrivals.

If you, or someone you love, has specific real estate needs, wishes and desires, and would enjoy the personalized service of Top Producing boutique real estate outfit who subscribe to a pressure-free approach, please know we're here to help at urbaneer.com.

Sincerely,

~ Steven and the urbaneer team

earn your trust, then your business

** Did you know we also lead a Student Mentorship and Internship Program for Canadians being educated in the field of housing. Consider visiting our newest architecture, design and landscape site called HousePorn.ca

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