No matter whether you're looking for a move-up or a move-down home, or your first home, one thing is certain: It isn't a cheap proposition.
Consequently, first-time buyers, singles, young couples and empty-nesters can face a vexing dilemma: Should they buy a single-family home or a condominium?
In many cases, the scale tips in favour of purchasing a condominium because of the affordability. Budgets must be adhered to, even if a bit of living and storage space has to be sacrificed. An 800-square-foot, apartment-style condominium will do (well, for the most part).
On occasion, an alternative to an affordable (but undersized) condo or spacious (but overly expensive) single-family home pops up. In this case, it's a 1,053-sq.-ft., slab-style bungalow at 38 Bourkewood Pl. in Silver Heights.
"This lovely, recently updated home is a great starter or move-down home, and is a real alternative to buying a smaller, apartment-style condominium," said Lifestyles Real Estate's Renee Dewar. "It has so much to offer."
It's a detached, single-family home situated on a 54-foot-wide by 100-foot-deep lot. It's a space of your own, both in and out -- and an affordable one at that.
"I think the home is priced quite reasonably at $229,900," said Dewar. "It's a home of your own that will offer privacy, a huge backyard and an interior with three bedrooms that's been updated in many key areas. In particular, I'd say it's an ideal home for a couple with a young child, possibly even two young children."
The updates Dewar referred to are many: new laminate hardwood flooring in the living room and hallway, other new flooring, new paint throughout, and more.
"Both the kitchen and bathroom have been updated with new vinyl (faux-tile taupe) flooring, carpeting in the bedroom was replaced in 2012, and all the appliances are newer, with the washer and dryer being five years old and the (Whirlpool) dishwasher being four years old," she said. "A high-efficient furnace was installed in 2013, the hot water tank is also newer and the windows are also newer throughout the home. The roof is about 15 years old, so it probably has about 10 years of life left in it."
Most importantly, the home is very livable. Unlike many of the slab-style bungalow starter homes found in Crescentwood, 38 Bourkewood is 300 square feet bigger than most of those homes -- a fair trade-off for not being nearly as central. While the laundry room is -- like those compact Crescentwood homes -- located in the home's back landing (with a good-sized storage room next to it), 38 Bourkewood's kitchen is nowhere near as small.
In fact, the kitchen is almost 11 feet by nine feet in size. That extra square footage makes a huge difference in that there's more cabinet and counter space, room for an eating nook for two and ample room for two chefs to move about in the U-shaped kitchen without constantly rubbing shoulders. A large window with a double sink beneath, grey laminate countertops, white oak veneer cabinets and stainless appliances add a contemporary look to an already functional space.
Dewar said that function is increased by another thoughtful design feature.
"The wall next to the kitchen's entrance has been cut out to allow natural light to flow into the kitchen from the living room and vice versa," she said. "There's also a recessed eating nook on the other side that holds a table for four, without it jutting out into the living room."
At a spacious 10.9 feet by 19.2 feet, the living room is a very habitable space thanks to a large picture window that lets in tons of natural light, the new (and warm) oak laminate hardwoods and a cozy grey/blue colour palette. There's plenty of room for a sofa and love seat -- and a big flat-screen TV on the opposite wall.
Because the home is more than 1,000 square feet, the bedroom wing has enough square footage to house three bedrooms and a surprisingly spacious four-piece bath. The two secondary bedrooms are 10.7 feet by 7.75 feet and 11 feet by 7.75 respectively, while the master suite is 11.1 by 11.75.
"Depending on your needs as a family, if you have one child, the second bedroom could be used as a den or play room," said Dewar, adding there will be an open house Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. "Or, if you have two children, you have two bedrooms available for use. The master bedroom is bright and a good size, and the bathroom is a nicely finished space with its new floor, pedestal sink and bathtub with vinyl surround -- both are in excellent shape."
Then, there's the home's south-facing backyard, which is its ace-in-the-hole.
"It's private and fenced, and is a great spot for kids to play," Dewar said. "It's also big enough that you can put up a garage and still have plenty of space left over for the kids to play, and even for a playhouse. With its size, three bedrooms, great location -- the home is close to parks, schools and all kinds of amenities -- it's a wonderful alternative to a condo that you can just move into and enjoy."
lewys@mts.net
