Todd Lewys / Free Press
The 1,090-sq.-ft., two-storey attached townhome is in move-in-ready condition from top to bottom.
PHOTOS BY Todd Lewys / Free Press
A gas fireplace with gorgeous stone surround serves as the anchor point of the warm, inviting living room.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
Both secondary bedrooms are a good size and set away from the primary bedroom on the opposite side of the upper-level staircase.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
The spacious primary bedroom, situated next to the updated main bath, is a private, light-filled retreat.
Masterfully updated with a heated tile floor, jetted tub and modern vanity with granite countertop, the main bathroom has a spa-like feel.
The lower-level rec room is perfect for watching a movie or sporting event on TV.
Updates abound in the eat-in kitchen, from maple cabinets to granite countertops as well as a tile backsplash and newer stainless-steel appliances.
To say the least, the phrase, “affordable starter home” has become an oxymoron, of late.
And it’s something many young families searching for such a dwelling know from first-hand experience, as many such prospective buyers have a limited budget of $350,000 or less.
Consequently, if a home is affordable — say the price tag is somewhere around $275,000-$300,000 — chances are it will come with a lengthy list of upgrades and renovations that need to be addressed.
Those projects can involve much more than cosmetic fixes, with costly repairs to foundations and roofs redlining already-stretched budgets. In many instances, young families find themselves living in homes they can’t afford to repair — a horrible fix to be in.
If you’re handy and the renovations can be tackled over time, buying a fixer-upper may be feasible. However, if you need to hire a renovation company to do the work, the bill could take the abode’s actual price up to $375,000 or more, making it unattainable.
Then, there’s option of a move-in-ready starter home. As exciting as this prospect is, you’re shelling out for all the work that’s been done. That means paying upwards of $400,000 — again unachievable.
Add in the fact location plays a big part in pricing — homes in sought-after neighbourhoods tend to sell for more than those in less-desirable areas of the city — and many young families find themselves limited severely, on more than one front.
Alan Reiss of Re/Max Professionals says his recent listing — a 1,090-sq.-ft., two-storey attached townhome at 33 Wiltshire Bay in Windsor Park — represents a ray of hope for young families.
“Let’s start with its location. It’s in Windsor Park, which is a great area to bring up a young family.” he says. “This home is close to schools, transit, shopping and more, and it’s on a quiet bay. It’s not in a far-out area of the city.”
Reiss says the 57-year-old home is also in excellent condition.
“The owners have taken great care of it. Not only that, but they’ve updated it regularly. It’s not something you can often say of a home at this price point, but it’s in move-in-ready condition.”
Step inside, and you immediately find yourself looking at a warm, welcoming living room.
“Its focal point is a gas fireplace with gorgeous stone surround,” says Reiss. “It really works with oak hardwoods to create a cosy, inviting feel. At the same time, a huge window on the rear wall lets in lots of natural light. There’s also plenty of room to arrange furniture just the way you like it.”
From there, the lovely living room transitions into an eat-in kitchen that surpasses expectations.
“At nearly 10-by-16-feet, it’s a very good size with space for a table that seats four,” says Reiss. “It was beautifully updated with maple cabinets, black granite countertops, a tile backsplash and newer stainless-steel appliances including a Kitchen Aid range. It also comes with a pantry and rear entrance that leads out to a fenced backyard with deck, patio, fire pit space, shed and garden areas.”
As it turns out, the roomy rear entrance space is also next to the lower-level staircase. Reiss says, like the kitchen, it offers far more versatility than you’d expect.
“There’s an awesome rec room with laminate plank flooring that offers plenty of room to spread out and watch sports or a movie,” he says, adding that there’s plenty of play space, too. “There’s also a two-piece bath and big laundry/mechanical room with high-efficiency furnace and newer Maytag washer and dryer.”
Head upstairs to more surprises — very pleasant ones.
The first is the layout. In a stroke of deft design, the primary bedroom and main bath were placed to the right of the stairs, with the two secondary bedrooms placed to the left.
“That makes for natural separation, something I think parents would appreciate,” Reiss says. “Both secondary bedrooms are a good size with large windows, while the spacious primary bedroom overlooks the backyard. The main bath next to it was updated with a heated tile floor, jetted bathtub and modern vanity with a granite countertop.”
A few other key updates will also provide budget-minded families with peace of mind.
“Most spaces have been painted recently in neutral colours, which is a real bonus,” Reiss says. “The windows are newer, and the roof shingles are also recent — those big-ticket items have been taken care of.”
Reiss says the lovingly maintained home is a genuine gem.
“It’s a rare find. It isn’t often you find a home at this price point that’s truly move-in-ready, and in such a great location.”
lewys@mymts.net
Location: 33 Wiltshire Bay, Windsor Park
Year Built: 1969
Style: two-storey attached
Size: 1,090 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: three
Bathrooms: one-and-a-half
Price: $319,900
Contact: Alan Reiss, Re/Max Professionals, 204-477-0500
