Etobicoke house counters busy location with sub-$1-million price tag

Sydnia Yu, Toronto, Special to The Globe and Mail

3 Nineteenth St., Toronto

Asking price: $999,000 (August, 2024)

Selling price: $1.1-million (August, 2024)

Days on the market: Seven

Listing agent: Scott Hanton, Hanton Real Estate Inc.

Agent Scott Hanton worried buyers might react poorly to this 50-year-old house based on its location next to a TTC bus loop and a parking lot for a medical centre on Lake Shore Boulevard. But the topic was barely raised by roughly 75 visitors, and didn’t stop four of them from submitting offers to purchase.

“Surprisingly, none of those things factored into anybody’s decision making, because overall, it’s such a great area with all the commercial and dining around the corner,” said Mr. Hanton. “And it’s across the street from a huge park with bike trails on the lake.

“Other homes that were available were either two- or three-bedroom [models], or were new builds that were much more expensive.

“Not only did we have four bedrooms and were detached, but we were also in that sweet spot for buyers, which was $999,000.”

Though some buyers expected less competition in the summer, one pit in $1.1-million.

“A lot of properties were listed around where the owner would be happy with,” said Mr. Hanton.

“We thought about that strategy, but I’m pretty sure if we had listed it for $1.1-million, we wouldn’t have gotten $1.1-million.”

This two-storey house has a classic brick façade, an attached garage and a new roof.

Inside, there are separate cooking and dining areas, and a living room with sliding doors to the 25- by 114-foot grounds.

Additional recreation areas are in the basement and one bathroom is on each level above.

“People that came through the house could not believe how exceptionally well maintained everything was,” said Mr. Hanton.

“Even in the bathroom, which is a 1970s bathroom, the tiling on the floor was like brand new. It looks so good, it’s almost in style again.”

The listing and sale details of recently sold GTA properties - By Allison Harness, Special to the Star

HARBORD VILLAGE

Location: 85 Harbord St., Unit 201,

Spadina Ave. and Harbord St.

Asking price: $799,000

Selling price: $799,000

Previous selling price: $251,500 (2001)

Size: about 859 sq. ft.

Parking: one owned surface parking space; one owned locker

Maintenance fees: $575.53 per month

Bedrooms: 1

Bathrooms: 1

This two-storey modern one-bedroom condo loft unit sold in two weeks for the full asking price.

“This unit is part of a small and quiet boutique building composed of only five units, located in a trendy downtown Toronto neighbourhood. It features 20-ft. ceilings, a spacious open-concept floor plan, large south-facing windows and its own parking space,” says listing agent Scott Hanton

The building is steps to the University of Toronto, restaurants, shopping, parks, schools, coffee shops, stores, a library, and an athletic centre. It is also walking distance Bloor St. and the subway. As well, it close to Kensington Market, Little Italy, and major Toronto hospitals.

Main level: living room with hardwood floor and large window; dining room with hardwood floor and ceiling fan; kitchen with hardwood floor, breakfast bar and built-in appliances; four-piece bathroom.

Second level: master bedroom overlooking the living room with broadloom on floor and large closet with organizers.

Listing agent: Scott Hanton

Backing onto the Don Valley ravine and sitting on a private cul-de-sac, the open-concept house has been redesigned as a contemporary small-family home.

By Allison Harness, Special to the Star

35 Don Valley Dr.

Location: Broadview Ave. and O’Connor Dr., Broadview North, East York

Asking price: $1,499,000

Size: About 966 sq. ft., plus about 966 sq. ft. finished basement

Lot: 36-by-269 feet, one-car attached garage, private drive with two parking spaces

Bedrooms: Two

Bathrooms: Two

“We moved here in 2015, and throughout the years we’ve loved exploring the neighbourhood, our property, and its beautiful natural setting. Perched above the Don River Valley we’re surrounded by woodlands and wildlife,” says homeowner Shannon Austin.

Backing onto the Don Valley ravine and sitting on a private cul-de-sac, the fully renovated bungalow boasts an open-concept main floor with soaring ceilings and built-in speakers, and a finished above-grade basement, complete with a walkout to a scenic, secluded backyard.

“Our home feels like a cottage in the city and we’ve enjoyed a lot of time in our yard: morning coffees on the balcony, soaking up the afternoon sun stretched out in the backyard, or hosting friends and family for barbecues and special celebrations. The abundance of outdoor space, three parking spaces, and the flow of our house makes this an ideal place for entertaining,” says Austin.

“We’ve spent many hours walking the Don River Valley trail system, which is less than a five-minute stroll from our house. We also loved walking to all the cafés and restaurants in Pape Village and on Danforth Ave., plus the convenience of being just a quick drive to Leaside for big-box shopping.

“We renovated the house from top-to-bottom to modernize it, but we did keep a few … nods to its period charm, such as the dining room chandelier and original front door, which we repurposed to fit the entryway to the under-the-stairs area in the basement. With no buildings in front or behind us, we get lots of natural light. 

The downstairs recreation room with its wet bar and room for an 82-inch TV, is one of our favourite spots to hang out in,” adds Austin.

The home is close to the TTC, schools, including Centennial College, Story Arts Centre campus. It has easy access to the Don Valley Pkwy.

Says listing agent Scott Hanton: “This home is much more than meets the eye; from the front, it looks like a typical two-bedroom bungalow, but inside it’s a gutted open-concept main level with 12-foot ceiling. It’s rare to find a home like this on a hidden cul-de-sac surrounded by nature, but still in the heart of Toronto. This was originally a solidly built 1940s bungalow that the current owners did an incredible job reimagining as a contemporary small-family home.”

This all-brick bungalow has a sloping roofline over the attached garage, a long drive, brick accents around the door and under a bay window, and a manicured front lawn.

The front door features a wrought-iron window insert and opens to the foyer with a hardwood floor and a double closet.

Partially open to the foyer, the living room is appointed with a hardwood floor, pot lights and a bay window.

The open concept dining room contains a hardwood floor, a crystal chandelier, and a window.

The kitchen overlooks the dining room, and highlights include a centre island with pendant lights above, quartz counters, ceramic tile backsplash, an integrated basin sink with a window above, and built-in appliances.

At the back of the home, the main bedroom is outfitted with a hardwood floor, a double closet, and a sliding door walkout to a private balcony.

The second bedroom is equipped with a hardwood floor, a closet, and a Murphy bed. A four-piece bathroom finishes this floor.

Between levels is a side door that opens to a large deck with space enough for a picnic table and a barbecue.

The above-grade lower-level showcases a recreation room with pot lights, a carpeted floor, a wet bar against a plank wood back wall, a three-piece bathroom, and a sliding-glass door walkout to a large patio and the rest of the backyard.

To have a look at this property please contact the listing agent Scott Hanton, Hanton Real Estate Inc., Brokerage

The listing and selling prices, plus details about the homes, their rooms and features

By Allison Harness, Special to the Star

OSHAWA

Location: 230 Golf St.,

Adelaide Ave. W. and Simcoe St. N.

Asking price: $699,000

Selling price: $685,000

Previous selling price: $295,000 (2012)

Size: about 2,800 sq. ft.

Lot: 38-by-95 feet, no garage, private drive with two parking spaces

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Selling for 98 per cent of the listing price in five days, this detached two-storey home has had many modern renovations.

“This is a century home with hardwood floors throughout, a kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a living room with a gas fireplace, and a primary bedroom with a three-piece ensuite,” says listing agent Scott Hanton.

The home is near a hospital, a golf course, shopping, restaurants, schools, places of worship, a YMCA, and public transit.

Main floor: hardwood floors; living room with gas fireplace and built-in shelves; dining room with crown moulding; kitchen with stone floor and built-in stainless appliances; family room with walkout to deck.

Second floor: hardwood floors; primary bedroom with walk-in closet and three-piece ensuite; three secondary bedrooms with closets and windows; four-piece bathroom.

Finished basement: recreation room with broadloom, built-in shelves and window; two-piece bathroom.

Listing agent: Scott Hanton

Sydnia Yu, Special to The Globe and Mail

15 McNicol Cres., Ajax, Ont.

Asking price: $779,000

Selling price: $805,000

Previous selling prices: $470,000 (2014); $254,089 (2005)

Days on the market: three

Listing agents: Scott Hanton

This three-bedroom house on a 44-foot-by-69-foot corner lot in Toronto’s eastern suburbs was slated to go on the market in late summer in conjunction with the completion of the owner’s next home. 

However, the pandemic caused the owners to reconsider that timeline.

“With fears that the GTA market would tank for a long period of time, there was a push by the sellers to list immediately in case prices dropped,” agent Scott Hanton said.

“I advised that we wait and see [as] … there’s no point in selling to someone who may not be able to close or put yourself in a situation where you could be without a home for a few weeks or months.”

The wait paid off as available inventory in Ajax began to quickly dry up in July. The 15-year-old home got three bids in three days and sold over-asking.

This two-storey house has a contemporary layout with both formal and casual entertaining areas on the main floor, as well as an office and open recreation area in the basement.

The eat-in kitchen has new countertops and backsplashes and there’s a walkout to the deck and fenced backyard. There are four bathrooms in the house and an attached garage.

“It was a corner lot with no immediate properties to the west or south, so with all the well-placed windows, the house was always bright and cheery,” Mr. Hanton said.

“[Furthermore], the Ajax Sportsplex is a world class sports facility and an incredible neighbourhood amenity steps away from McNicol Crescent.”

Sydnia Yu, Toronto, Special to The Globe and Mail

753 Sammon Ave., Toronto

Asking price: $1,125,000

Selling price: $1,072,000

Previous selling price: $186,000 (1991)

Days on the market: 10

Listing agent: Scott Hanton

This roughly 1,600-square-foot house is close to Michael Garron Hospital, but Sammon is a through street – busier than many in East York – so the list price was set conservatively under $900,000 in late February. There were more than 50 visitors throughout the week and dozens more at the open houses, but the sellers were disappointed by the four bids sent on the offer date.

The next day, the home was relisted with the asking price bumped to $1,125,000. Two of the original bidders returned with better offers, one of which the sellers deemed acceptable and a deal was struck in early March.

“The market has been very unpredictable all of 2019. Many great houses had to be relisted for either lack of interest or lack of anticipated offers. It was a frustrating winter and spring for many sellers,” agent Scott Hanton said.

“[For this house] the level of interest was surprising, which in turn, helped to inflate expectations of what the house would likely sell for, and why it took a bit longer to sell than usual.”

This 94-year-old house on a 20-foot-by-100-foot lot has been extensively renovated, including new windows, doors, roofing and mechanical systems.

The kitchen was remodelled with quartz counters, a centre island, herringbone-style backlashes and stainless steel appliances. There is a glass door to the south-facing backyard.

Hardwood floors run through the open living and dining rooms and three bedrooms upstairs. In the basement, laminate floors were laid in the recreation area and porcelain tile floors in the bathroom.

“This home checked all the boxes in terms of what people want in a house: three bedrooms, two full baths, parking, large backyard and relatively high ceiling in the basement,” Mr. Hanton said.

“And it’s fully renovated with stylish finishes.”

Sydnia Yu, Toronto, Special to The Globe and Mail

78 Oakvale Ave., Toronto

Asking price: $899,000 (November, 2023)

Previous asking price: $1,079,000 (October, 2023); $1,099,000 (September, 2023)

Selling price: $1-million (November, 2023)

Previous selling price: $160,000 (March, 1991)

Property taxes: $4,477 (2023)

Days on the market: 62

Listing agent: Scott Hanton, Hanton Real Estate Inc.

The action

These east-end Toronto buyers were looking for a property near the Danforth that would meet the needs of their multigenerational family, but failed in their first attempts, with their purchase offers being rejected or outbid. In November, they spotted this three-bedroom house, previously listed with an asking price of $1,099,000, after it had been relisted for $899,000. It didn’t have the second kitchen they wanted, but it had the roughed-in plumbing for one, so they made a $1-million offer, which was accepted.

“It was a very active seller’s market,” said the buyer’s agent Linda Ing-Gilbert. “When houses don’t sell in multiple [offer scenarios], people tend to think something is wrong with them and they get missed, which is what I think happened at Oakvale.”

What they got

At the end of a cul-de-sac, this 100-year-old house occupies a 20-by-100-foot lot with a laneway at the back, a park to one side and a TTC rail yard across the street.

An addition has expanded the interiors, so it has a large kitchen and primary bedroom above with hardwood flooring, a walk-in closet and balcony doors.

There are separate living and dining rooms, plus one bathroom and an unfinished basement with a separate entrance.

“It’s detached, and all the other houses we looked at were semis, and it has a laneway which they liked because the buyer is an architect and in future years, may do a laneway house,” Ms. Ing-Gilbert said.

“It also sided onto a park. So when you look out the window, it’s out at a park and community vegetable garden.”

The rail yard is also below grade, ensuring unobstructed views. “From the second bedroom, you can see the lake,” Ms. Ing-Gilbert said.

The recent selling prices for houses, what they were originally listed for and highlights of the homes

By Allison Harness Special to the Star

LESLIEVILLE

Location: 91 Alton Ave., Greenwood Ave. and Dundas St. E.

Asking price: $999,000

Selling price: $1,210,000

Previous selling price: $140,000 (1998)

Size: about 1,400 sq. ft.

Lot: 13-by-108 feet, no garage, no drive

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1

This semi-detached two-storey sold earlier this year for 121 per cent of the listing price in six days.

“This cosy home on a tree-lined street has a large deck and a storage shed in the backyard, hardwood floors throughout, built-in bookcases, and a fireplace in the dining room. There is also potential for a parking space at the back,” says listing agent Scott Hanton.

The house is near shopping, restaurants, schools, Greenwood Park with a swimming pool and ice rink, a library, Ashbridges Bay, Woodbine Beach, public transit, and access to the Don Valley Pkwy.

Main floor: hardwood floors; living room with built-in bookcase and large window; dining room with fireplace; kitchen with ceramic floor, built-in appliances and walkout to deck; sitting room with walkout to garden.

Second floor: hardwood floor; primary bedroom with built-in shelves and closet; second bedroom with closet; four-piece bathroom.

Basement is unfinished.

Listing agent: Scott Hanton

This is a rare opportunity to own a home on a 353-foot ravine lot, while still being a quick commute to downtown Toronto.

By Allison Harness, Special to the Star

PICKERING

Location: 1957 Spruce Hill Rd.,

Whites Rd. N. and Finch Ave.

Asking price: $1,369,000

Size: about 3,000 sq. ft.

Lot: 60-by-353 feet, two-car attached garage, private double drive

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4

This Victorian-style brick home was custom-built in 1989 to back onto a ravine and includes a turret as well as interior features such as a stone kitchen floor, and sunken library with a built-in bookcase.

“My family and I moved into this home in 2004.

“The house lends itself to entertaining as it is open and provides a comfortable flow between rooms. In addition, the street is in a restful and safe neighbourhood. Backing onto the ravine offers year-round scenic views as well as privacy,” says home owner Marion Schell.

“The area is ideal for commuting to Toronto where both my husband I work,” she says of their Whites Rd. access to Hwy. 401. “For those with young families, the schools — both Catholic and private — are excellent and within walking distance. Pickering itself is a vibrant city on Lake Ontario and the hiking trail along the shoreline connects Pickering to Ajax on the east and to Toronto on the west,” adds Schell.

The home is walking distance to parks, and just over a five-minute drive to Pickering Town Centre where there is also a movie theatre. As well, there is a grocery store a few minutes’ car ride away.

“This is a rare opportunity to own a home on (a) 353-foot ravine lot surrounded by nature while still being a quick commute to downtown Toronto,” says listing agent Scott Hanton. “The kitchen was fully renovated this past year and has stainless-steel appliances. The are multiple walk-outs to the back deck, and a finished basement with a walk-out to the yard,” says listing agent Scott Hanton.

A long double drive leads to this impressive house with a large front veranda featuring white pickets, a varied roofline and detailed brick work. The manicured front yard has a mature tree as a focal point.

The front door has a glass insert bordered by glass panels and opens to the foyer with a stone tile floor and closet. The hallway has a hardwood floor and a soaring two-storey ceiling with a high window on one wall, a chandelier above and a central wood staircase with floating stairs. There is another closet, a powder room and a walkout to a side deck.

In the living room is a broadloomed floor, crown moulding and three windows with wood trim.

The separate dining room contains a hardwood floor, a chandelier, two windows and crown moulding.

Highlights of the kitchen are an island with an attached built-in small table, a stone tile floor, pendant lights, stone tile backsplash, another built-in desk, two windows, a double sink and built-in stainless steel appliances. The adjoining breakfast room contains surrounding windows, a stone floor, a pendant light and a sliding-glass door walkout.

Steps down lead to the sunken family room which features a hardwood floor, pot lights, a fireplace with a floor-to-ceiling brick surround and a sliding-glass door walkout.

The sunken library has a hardwood floor and floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves.

The upstairs master bedroom incudes a hardwood floor, a large sitting area in front of a bay window, a walk-in closet and a four-piece ensuite with a step-up corner jacuzzi tub with a marble surround, a separate shower stall and a water closet.

There are three more bedrooms with closets and broadloom on the floors — two with vaulted ceilings, and one with a bay window. As well, there is a four-piece bathroom and a laundry room.

The lower level is finished and above grade with a broadloomed recreation room, floor-to-ceiling windows, built-in shelves and a walkout with a tiled foyer. There is also a sitting room, a storage room and a cold room.

The backyard has a large tiered deck with three sitting areas and a sloping lawn with mature trees and stairs down to the ravine.

To have a look at this property contact listing agent Scott Hanton.

Sydnia Yu, Georgetown, Ont., Special to The Globe and Mail

9 William St., Georgetown, Ont.

Asking price: $899,000

Selling price: $1.1-million

Previous selling price: $501,000 (October, 2012); $230,000 (July, 1991)

Days on the market: Two

Listing agent: Scott Hanton

Agent Scott Hanton was concerned this semi-detached house would be in less demand than the detached variety more typical in Georgetown, Ont, which is about 60 kilometres west of downtown Toronto. 

Those fears quickly evaporated when two offers came in within 48 hours of listing, one of which was $201,000 over the asking price.

Mr. Hanton was astonished by the rapid escalation in prices.

“Last year, the seller had this appraised, and it was about $200,000 or $300,000 less than what it sold for a year later,” Mr. Hanton said.

“All of these smaller markets – like Georgetown – are seeing these one-off sales like this that are phenomenal for the sellers and increasing all the values for the neighbours - but are also making everything out of balance for what local markets are used to.”

This 100 year old, 1½-strorey house has been gradually renovated and expanded and now has about 2,000 square feet of living space with an attached garage.

There is a formal kitchen and dining room and two entertaining areas on the main floor, plus one bedroom and one of two bathrooms.

Upstairs, there is a second bedroom, a den and open sitting area with skylights.

“To see a semi-detached property in this historical neighbourhood is rare because typically they’re all detached,” Mr. Hanton said.

“It’s a bit dated in spots, but it’s all immaculately maintained, and it’s on a corner lot, so the back, side and front yards were also excellently cared for by the current resident.”

The 78-foot-by 51-foot lot is also close to the town’s centre and farmer’s market. 

“You can walk in two minutes to a historic downtown, which is super charming and quaint,” Mr. Hanton said.

“People wait and hover for the perfect opportunity to get into this quadrant of Georgetown.”

The listing and sale details of recently sold GTA properties

By Allison Harness, Special to the Star

THORNCLIFFE PARK

Location: 160 Vanderhoof Ave., Unit 606,

Eglinton Ave. E. and Brentcliffe Rd.

Asking price: $715,000

Selling price: $715,000

Previous selling price: $380,000 (2015)

Size: about 900 sq. ft.

Parking: one owned underground parking space, one owned locker

Maintenance fees: $587.81 per month

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Selling in just over a week for the full listing price, this condo unit is in a building close to a ravine and a large park. It features a large balcony and views of Toronto’s skyline.

“This suite has a modern open-concept design, and a kitchen with stainless steel appliances and tons of storage space,” says listing agent Scott Hanton.

The building is close to shopping malls, restaurants, biking trails, Sunnybrook Hospital, and the Ontario Science Centre. It also has easy access to the Don Valley Pkwy.

Building amenities include a concierge, bike storage, guest suites, a gym, an indoor pool, and a party/meeting room.

Unit has: living room with laminate floor and walk-out to balcony; dining room with laminate floor; kitchen with laminate floor, stainless steel appliances and centre island; master bedroom with laminate floor, large closet and four-piece ensuite; second bedroom with laminate floor, large closet and large window; three-piece bathroom.

Listing agent: Scott Hanton.