Four bids on semi near park with laneway home potential

161 Bellwoods Ave., Toronto

Asking price: $1,625,000 (March, 2023)

selling price: $1,715,000 (March, 2023)

Previous selling price: $345,000 (August, 2002)

Taxes: $6,705 (2023)

Days on the market: Two

listing agents: Paul Johnston, Right at Home Realty

The action

Agent Paul Johnston figured $1,625-million was a conservative asking the price for this semi-detached house just a block from the popular Trinity Bellwoods Park. He and the sellers were pleasantly surprised to attract four offers and a winning bid of $90,000 over asking.

“While we hadn’t priced it for multiple offers, it was a property that resonated with a lot of people, attracting multiple offers, which certainly wouldn’t have been the case four months ago,” Mr. Johnston said.

“One of the benefits of this home was that it was only a block away from Trinity Bellwoods Park, which was terrific in terms of convenience, as well as proximity to both Dundas Street and Queen Street.”

What they got

This three-bedroom house is in top form, recently improved with a new porch, roofing, and wiring, as well as two contemporary bathrooms and a sleek kitchen with an island and stainless steel appliances.

Other updates include new hardwood flooring and a wood burning, Stuv fireplace between the living and dining areas. A rear den has tile flooring and a glass patio door.

The agent’s take

“[The sellers] had already opened up a good portion of the main floor, updated the bathrooms and replaced the windows,” Mr. Johnston said.

“They tended to do a lot of the basic needs of updating the home but left room for people to enhance it.”

For example, buyers could see the potential in the unfinished basement and a double garage at the back of the 18- by 127-foot lot. “Little Italy and Trinity Bellwoods are neighborhoods where a lot of people are exploring laneway properties and starting to build them, so that adds an element of excitement too,” said Mr. Johnston.