The average price of a Toronto home hit $499,045 in January. If you’re willing and able to drop half a mil, these are some of your choices.
LESLIEVILLE: 339 Bain Ave. (pictured above) #LES
The price: $499,000, last sold for: $415,000 (2007)
The draw: There are three bedrooms and a finished basement in this freshly re-done semi. A 20-foot-wide lot means there’s room for a separate dining and living room on the main floor, both of which have new hardwood floors.
The catch: Residency is in flux—the street is dotted with boarded-up Toronto Community Housing properties, six of which may or may not go up for auction sometime soon.
DANFORTH: 37 Woodrow Ave. #DAN
The price: $479,900, last sold for: $392,000 (2007)
The draw: A five-minute walk from Coxwell station, this semi is painted in cool neutrals that make the space open and bright. There are three bedrooms, two of which are 100 square feet or more, and a finished basement.
The catch: Half of the long backyard is lost to the driveway and garage, severely hampering its good looks. The all-white kitchen would be a nightmare for parents of small children.
MIMICO: 89 Heman St. #ETO
The price: $499,900, last sold for: $300,000 (2011)
The draw: A detached two-bedroom home on a 22-by-125-foot lot is a marvel at this price. The downstairs hardwood and appliances are obviously brand new, and the listing touts a freshly dug-out and waterproofed basement, although there aren’t any photos of it.
The catch: The very recent last sale date and price jump indicates a flip job—and the home didn’t sell when it was listed in December at $524,900. Perhaps a bricked-over front yard isn’t to everyone’s taste.
ST. JAMESTOWN: 500 Sherbourne St., Unit W213 #CBT
The price: $494,000, maintenance fees $511
The draw: A new two-storey soft loft in the 500 Sherbourne complex, this 1,066-square-foot unit has 22-foot ceilings, lots of big windows and a bathroom on both levels. The open staircase and subtly patterned wallpaper are very urban bachelor.
The catch: It’s just a half-kilometre from the subway, but your mom probably won’t like you walking around the neighbourhood at night.
