Beaconsfield Victorian

We just listed an exceptional 2½ storey Victorian Townhouse in Beaconsfield Village. www.BeaconsfieldTH.com Open House this weekend 2 to 4.

 The home has a gourmet kitchen & spa-like bathrooms. Many period features remain intact such as the wonderful stained glass, the original mantle in living room fireplace (converted to gas-coal), the original stairs, handrails and newel posts, cornice mouldings, tall baseboards & high ceilings.  It also has many modern updates throughout.

There is a nanny suite in the basement and a block double garage. The landscaped garden is charming and private. Walkout to a private 3rd floor deck.

The roof was reshingled in 2009. The house has modern electrical. Floor plans and home inspection are available by request.  This home is much larger than it appears and definitely worth a look inside.

Superior Building lot.

Rare opportunity:  $649,000 for a 50 by 132 foot lot with mature trees. Build or divide into 2-25 foot lots. (Builder to verify) Located on tree lined street across from park in established neighbourhood in the midst of a renaissance. Build a lifetime home. Potential for 2 homes on 25 foot lots. Various new developments nearby. Close to Waterfront.

Five minutes from Mimico GO station and Lake Shore TTC. Schools. Amazing parks, Minutes to QEW. Biking trails. Existing Bungalow presently tenanted. Home to be sold “as-is” Please book an appointment to walk the fabulous lot. Survey Available.  

Qwest by Tridel (SOLD)

Qwest by Tridel:  South-facing  luxe.  See Virtual Tour   9+ foot ceiling. Superb condition. Near University, Hospital, Financial & Entertainment districts.  One of the great lifestyle buildings downtown. Concierge, security  

Grand Harbour: Resort-style living (SOLD)

Grand Harbour: “Every square inch renovated” according to seller. See Virtual tour  Custom gourmet kitchen…Single slab of Granite for breakfast bar. Open Concept. Resort-style luxury living with mostly everything covered in maintenance fees. (except taxes & phone) Unparalleled amenities: Waterfront Gazebo, Billiards, first-class fitness center with an indoor pool, whirlpool, squash courts, guest suite, party rooms, 24 hour security & concierge. TTC at front door, skip to Lake, Grocery store a stone’s throw away.

Custom gourmet kitchen with custom designed granite eat in countertop and backsplash. New stainless steel appliances, full sized washer/dryer. The marble bathroom (with separate marble shower) has a jacuzzi jet tub.

The unit has new custom potlights throughout, which work in tandem with the Maestro Digital Fade Dimmers. It’s bright, spacious and in immaculate condition. Christopher Hume, architecture critic for the Toronto Star described The Grand Harbour as “a hybrid of classical, neo-gothic, and Georgian…mixed together and applied – incongruously but felicitously – to 20th-century-sized structures.” The most striking feature is the 14 storey archway that connects the two tallest towers.

“High in the sky where baseballs fly” (SOLD)

City living at its most convenient.  Modern, upgraded 1 bed +den with Eng wood floors. Clear City vista over the Rogers Centre. (see photos) Amazing amenities in 30,000SF complex. Pool, Fitness ctr, Bball court, V-Golf, Theatre, guest suites, parking, concierge & much more. Easy transit & walking distance to mostly any necessity or pleasure, plus parking space.

10 Navy Wharf Court Residents Enjoy semi-exclusive use of The SuperClub Which Features Over 30,000 Square Feet of Fitness and Weight Rooms, Indoor Pool and Outdoor Tanning Deck, Theatre Room, Running Track, Tennis/Squash/Basketball Courts, Internet Lounge, Billiard Tables, Bowling Lanes, Steam Room, Massage Spa Whirlpool, Aerobic Studio, Indoor Golf Simulator, Multimedia & Conference Rooms and a Fully Equipped Party Room with a Chef Class Kitchen.

Detached home in Glen Park (SOLD)

  Wonderful opportunity in Yorkdale-Glen Park. Spacious, solid, Side-split on large lot across from Delo Park near Joyce P.S. Quiet Area minutes from subway, shops, Yorkdale, 401 & more. Attached garage.A fabulous family home to grow into. See virtual tour at www.joyceparkway.com

Some upgrades to electrical (newer panel 100 amps and more). Oak hardwood under broadloom.Minor renovations (mainly kitchen, could be done but compare to a nearby, thoroughly rebuilt house on same size lot where they are asking $900,000.

Does volume really equate to quality?

It is much more difficult to get into real estate as an agent than it was 20 years ago but that does not stop incompetent people from joining the profession. A potential realtor must now pass several challenging, university level exams in order to obtain a license to trade. On top of that, better brokerages, particularly the smaller non-franchised ones, (not a walmart equivalent where volume equals quality) are actually accountable for the behaviour and conduct of their realtors.

I deal with hundreds of other realtors.  Some are salespeople, others are brokers. One can tell in the first 30 seconds of a conversation if I’m dealing with someone who knows what they’re doing or not. I’ve encountered a few drunks, too many tightly wound agents, numerous ones who are far too superior in the human race to talk to me. Fortunately, there is a significant number of realtors who know their business.  It’s not rocket science but closer to the field of psychology. Learning how to deal with varied personalities is as essential as being patient.

Don’t misunderstand me, one does not have to solve a Rubik’s cube in 3 seconds to trade in real estate. It is, however much more challenging than selling amway, particularly for those with empathy and a conscience.

Choose your realtor wisely.

Why so few decent listings?

I know it’s early February but there are thousands of buyers out there.  Are these not the best conditions in which to sell a home or condo? What’s missing? (Your opinion?)  Rates are still comfortably low. The economy in our area continues to head in the right direction. Money is fairly easy to borrow. Why then are people not selling their houses? All successful realtors (which excludes many) will have at least several buyers.

Unfortunately, we have moved back into a situation where decent houses are being priced aggressively low to instigate battles. Many buyers continue to be frustrated by a lack of decent product on the market and frenzied behaviour with the occasional house that sells. The biggest hole in the market on my radar is between 900k and 1.4 million. List an appropriate house in that price range in a decent area and it will sell quickly. Once this happens, the buyers’ house may reach the market.  Thus begins a cycle leading towards balance. (which is not the case at present). Even the “new” rules governing the marketing of a property on MLS haven’t made a change. (I never thought it would in downtown Toronto because few homeowners know enough about marketing and selling their own properties)

At home in Cabbagetown. (SOLD)

304 Wellesley St East in Toronto. Spectacular, unique, 8 year old detached home with a modern flavour. High end kitchen with excellent appliances. Superbly built house in near perfect condition with private parking. Recent upgrades include Walnut built-in cabinetry around fireplace with well concealed Thermador wine fridge. Private, landscaped, back garden made for entertaining. Family room on third floor. Full, high, dry, finished basement with extra bedroom and a 3 piece washroom.

See www.304WE.com for more photos and details.

Dovercourt Park Area (SOLD)

Also see 265Bartlett.info for panoramic views and more details.
Clean lines: professionally renovated in style. 3 bedroom Semi in established neighbourhood. Main 2nd floors rebuilt: New kitchen, bathroom, Electrical, drywall, Carbonized Bamboo floors on main. Copper & Pex plumbing. Near Dovercourt Park. Walk to Subway and other amenities. 18.17 x 138’ lot.

Easy to look at. Incl: All New stainless steel GE side by side fridge, stove, dishwasher, vent and full size front loading washer/ dryer. Also new high efficiency furnace with warranty. Roof replaced in 2009. Move in and enjoy.
Live in a safe, established neighbourhood, near transit and many other amenities.