Move-in-ready townhome a rare find

Never before — at least not in recent memory — have young couples and growing families found it so difficult to find a suitable starter home.

With homebuying budgets slashed by the federal government’s onerous stress test, buyers have been forced to go for less in a home.

Yet, they still need to find a serviceable starter home for somewhere between $200,000 and $300,000 in order to get approved.

No easy task.

These days, a move-in-ready starter home usually checks in at somewhere between $325,000 and $350,000 or more. Meanwhile, an affordable two-bedroom condo costs somewhere between $175,000 and $225,000.

Unfortunately, a top-end budget of $300,000 precludes purchasing the starter home. And, while the two-bedroom condominium is affordable, it doesn’t provide the space and flexibility that families need — or the third bedroom or extra storage space that young couples want.

As bleak as this situation seems, there are alternatives, says Mauro Zappia of Zappia Group Realty.

One of those alternatives, he adds, is a 1,540-sq.-ft. townhome-style condominium found in Westwood Oaks Condominiums at 308 Westwood Dr.

"I recently listed this townhome, which offers four bedrooms, two half bathrooms, a full bathroom and a full, finished basement. It also has a backyard, and is located in a quiet area in the heart of Westwood close to schools, a community centre (Kirkfield-Westwood), transit and shopping."

Moreover, the unit features recent upgrades in several key spots.

"All three bathrooms were upgraded in 2014; the parquet floors were also refinished in 2014," he says. "All the windows were replaced in 2015 and the kitchen countertops and backsplash were upgraded in 2018, along with the upper-floor lighting. Exterior doors were also recently updated."

As impressive (and valuable) as those upgrades are — the suite is in move-in-ready condition throughout — its overall feel is just as impressive, Zappia says.

"Its size and layout give it a real house-like feel. On the main floor, there’s a spacious living room-dining room combo with huge windows at either end, plus an eat-in kitchen with newer laminate flooring, newer countertops and backsplash, and a host of white cabinets. There’s even a beautiful main floor powder room across from the living room."

Head upstairs, and there’s four bedrooms and the beautifully redone main bath. The refinished parquet flooring — which runs through the hallway and into all the bedrooms — looks amazing with its rich, medium-brown stain.

"The three secondary bedrooms are a good size, with huge windows and big closets," he says. "The bathroom features a soaker tub, newer floor and cherry vanity with granite countertop. With his-her closets, a two-piece ensuite and a big window that lets in lots of natural light, it’s a wonderful space."

Finally, there’s the finished basement, which adds another 400-plus square feet of usable space to the townhome, taking its total livable space to nearly 2,000 sq. ft.

"It offers media and games/play areas with newer berber carpeting and a huge laundry/storage room. Families will love it — it provides extra space for the kids to play in, or a quiet area where you can go to watching TV or a movie."

Add in a fenced backyard (with shed) that offers a safe outdoor space for kids to play in, or to grill steaks and burgers, and you have a move-in-ready townhome condo that lives like a single-family home.

"This condominium offers great value with its four bedrooms, upgrades, backyard, finished basement and fantastic location," Zappia says. "Young couples and families looking for an affordable, move-in-ready starter home should take a serious look at it — it has a lot to offer."

lewys@mymts.net