4 Oakhaven Dr., Toronto

Asking price: $988,000 (February, 2023)

Selling price: $1.03-million (March, 2023)

Taxes: $4,101 (2022)

Days on the market: Eight

Listing agents: Mary Jo Vradis and Meray Mansour, Rare Real Estate

The action

This 45-year-old house was well maintained but, despite recent upgrades, was showing its age. To compensate, it was priced below $1-million. Nearly four dozen buyers toured the home in February before the sellers accepted an offer that added a $42,000 bonus.

“It was right when things were starting to get busier on the market and there was no inventory,” agent Meray Mansour said.

“We did some painting and made it look really cute for someone to just move in, but it does need some updating. But that price point is in a sweet spot because rentals are so expensive that buying something is still going to be cheaper than renting.”

What they got

This three-bedroom house has a two-storey plan and an attached garage on a 44- by 101-foot lot.

Some improvements carried out in recent years include the installation of a new air conditioning unit and hardwood flooring throughout, as well as updated appliances, tile flooring and granite countertops in the eat-in kitchen.

New sliding doors also separate the dining area from a fenced-in yard with southern exposures.

The larger of two entertaining areas is in the basement, along with a fireplace and one of the home’s three bathrooms.

The closing date is May 11.

The agent’s take

“It’s a good size house,” Ms. Mansour said.

“It has a finished basement so extended family could be there.”

9A Chauncey Ave., Toronto

Asking price: $2,078,000 (October, 2021)

Selling price: $2,120,000 (October, 2021)

Taxes: $7,949 (2021)

Days on the market: Six

Listing agents: Mary Jo Vradis and Meray Mansour, Rare Real Estate Inc.

The action

Infill builder Hauswork Ltd. used feedback from a pair of three-bedroom houses in Etobicoke it put up several years ago in constructing this four-bedroom house across the street. The resulting design attracted five bidders and the back and forth competition ended in a winning offer $42,000 over asking.

“There’s very little out there that you can compare to this house in that area and in that price,” agent Mary Jo Vradis said.

“More people than average wanted four bedrooms in a newly constructed home, because you can have the work-at-home scenario. And it also has a finished walkout basement that could be an apartment … because it had a roughed-in kitchen and bathroom.”

What they got

The two-storey house was cr
afted on eco-friendly principles with a modern, high-end design.

The interior is open and bright with clear sightlines between a raised dining area and a rear living room. Both are lined with windows and glass doors to wide decks.

The central kitchen has a stylish waterfall edge-style island and built-in coffee bar.

In the lower level, the recreation area has nine-foot ceilings, heated floors and one of the home’s four bathrooms. There is also direct access to the garage and a south-facing yard on the 25-foot-by-187-foot lot.

The agent’s take

“My client is a sustainable builder, so he really focuses on his carbon footprint when he builds, which is what make these houses very special and unique,” Ms. Vradis said.

“One of his signature features for his houses is a designer wall with a hidden bathroom and storage under the stairs,”Ms. Vradis said.

Your house is your most valuable asset. We have a weekly Real Estate newsletter to help you stay on top of news on the housing market, mortgages, the latest closings and more. Sign up today.

New "Sickness & Caregiver" Recovery Benefits now available. This includes 3 new temporary benefits of up to $500 per week for workers unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19.
The new benefits include the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), which will replace the Canada?Emergency?Response Benefit (CERB) for workers not eligible for EI benefits now that the CERB has ended, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefits (CRCB).?These benefits will be in place for one year beginning September 27, 2020.
.
#1) Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit CRCB) of $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household for workers unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, daycares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19, or because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19
(https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html)
.
#2) Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) of $500 per week for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19, self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19, have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
(https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html)
.
#3) Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), which will provide eligible workers with $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for those who have stopped working and who are not eligible for EI (including self-employed, contract workers or those working in the gig economy), or had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19. This benefit will be paid in two-week periods.??
(canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html)