Resale Homes
Resale Homes
Real estate industry mourns passing of MREA CEO Brian Collie
The long-time chief executive of the Manitoba Real Estate Association (MREA) is being remembered as a staunch industry advocate at both the local and national levels over the last 25-plus years.
Brian Collie, who had been CEO of the MREA since 1991, died suddenly last Wednesday at the age of 67.
“Brian’s depth of character and wisdom made him an invaluable mentor to countless people in organized real estate in Manitoba and across Canada,” MREA president Roberta Weiss said in a written statement.
“His endless dedication to improving and advancing the real estate profession, while developing plans for better consumer protection, has benefitted countless communities. His humble influence, friendship and gentle hand of guidance will be greatly missed.”
Last year, Canada’s leading magazine for the real estate industry — Real Estate Magazine — also named Collie as one of the people who had the most impact on Canadian real estate over the last 25 years.
“Brian Collie’s persona of a quiet guy from a small association in the wilderness belies his true power in the industry and his ability to get things done,” Bill Madder, CEO of the Association of Saskatchewan Realtors, said at the time.
“Brian always knows what is going on in the business from coast to coast and does a great job of working with all the right people to get the right things done for the betterment of our profession,” Madder added. “From education to federal affairs to MLS to ethics, Brian has had a hand (sometimes invisible, but always there) in most of the major changes in the real estate world over the past 25-plus years.”
Collie, whose real estate career began in 1972 as a salesperson, also served as president of the MREA and the Winnipeg Real Estate Board in the late 1980s.
He is survived by his wife, four children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Dr.
Resale Homes
Sold Apr 4
Sold-Offered for April 4, 2015
SOLD:
Waverley Heights
ADDRESS: 126 Lake Grove
ASKING PRICE: $379,900
SOLD PRICE: $388,000
TAXES: $4,748.62
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,301
BEDROOMS: 4
BATHROOMS: 2
LOT SIZE: 80-ft. frontage (lake lot)
LISTING AGENT: Lee Almstrom, Re/Max Professionals, 204-999-7577
SELLING AGENT: Bruce Harvey, Re/Max Professionals, 204-997-7744
SOLD:
River Heights
ADDRESS: 434 Oxford St.
ASKING PRICE: $389,900
SOLD PRICE: $382,500
TAXES: $4,291.28
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,248
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 2
LOT SIZE: 37 x 120
LISTING AGENT: Ken Maines, Maximum Realty, 204-999-9078
SOLD:
Southdale
ADDRESS: 19 Gleneagles Rd.
ASKING PRICE: $314,900
SOLD PRICE: $293,000
TAXES: $3,376.84
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,157
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 3
LOT SIZE: 59 x 110
LISTING AGENT: Greg Michie, The Greg Michie Team, 204-336-2800
SELLING AGENT: Kirk Miller, Century21 Bachman, 204-453-7653
SOLD:
West End
ADDRESS: 825 Minto St.
ASKING PRICE: $214,900
SOLD PRICE: $200,000
TAXES: $3,057.81
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,152
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 1
LOT SIZE: 46 x 77
LISTING AGENT: Greg Michie, The Greg Michie Team, 204-336-2800
SELLING AGENT: David Thompson, Re/Max Performance Realty, 204-255-4204
SOLD:
St. Pierre-Jolys
ADDRESS: 514 Sabourin St.
ASKING PRICE: $139,900
SOLD PRICE: $131,000
TAXES: $2,236.82
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 974
BEDROOMS: 4
BATHROOMS: 1
LOT SIZE: 65 x 90
LISTING AGENT: Dan Vermette, Re/Max Performance Realty, 204-255-4204
SOLD:
North End
ADDRESS: 455 Aberdeen Ave.
ASKING PRICE: $69,455
SOLD PRICE: $60,000
TAXES: $844.79
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,195
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 1
LOT SIZE: 25 x 120
LISTING AGENTS: Matt & Jon Blumberg, Monopoly Realty, 204-232-6288
OFFERED:
Tuxedo
ADDRESS: 313 Kelvin Blvd.
ASKING PRICE: $679,313
TAXES: $7,683.78
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,491
BEDROOMS: 4
BATHROOMS: 2
LOT SIZE: 75 x 130
LISTING AGENT: Matt & Tom Blumberg, Monopoly Realty, 204-232-6288
Resale Homes
Roomy as advertised
Buying a home tends to be an exercise in restraint.
Which is to say, when you're in the market to buy a home, there's a tendency to go into a viewing with low expectations. That way, if the home isn't exactly what it appeared to be in the online photos, you're not disappointed -- something that's more often the rule than the exception.
On occasion, there's a home that actually exceeds expectations. A 1,250-square-foot, two-storey townhouse at 17-1445 Rothesay St. is one of those rare finds, said Re/Max Performance Realty's Suzanne Mariani.
"This unit is filled with quality and luxury," she said. "Not only that, it's likely in the best location in the complex. It's an end unit that faces a quiet residential area, has a large patio, L-shaped yard and parking stall located right next to it. It's the largest unit in the complex with the largest yard, and feels more like a house than a condominium."
Several factors combine to create that house-like feel. First, the unit has three levels: a basement with rec room and laundry/mechanical/storage room, a bright, spacious main level and a second level that contains not two, but three bedrooms.
The condominium, which was beautifully renovated just a few short years ago, feels much larger than its listed square footage, Mariani said.
Truth be told, not all townhome condominiums have three levels. Add in the rec room downstairs -- it measures approximately 20 feet by 12 feet -- and you have a home that offers 1,490 sq. ft. of livable space.
"The basement's rec room is a good size and is an area that can be used either as a media room or play room, or for both purposes," Mariani said. "Next to it is an oversized laundry/storage room that offers all kinds of storage room plus loads of room to do laundry in without feeling boxed in. There's also a newer high-efficient (Lennox) furnace, too."
Head upstairs via a surprisingly wide staircase (it makes it easy to transport furniture, electronics and other items), and the basement entrance opens onto the unit's back landing. Not only does the short hallway lead to the parking stall out back, it also leads to a pair of rather unexpected features.
"There's a powder room off the hallway -- a very handy feature if you have guests over," she said. "Then, the back door opens onto a huge, fenced patio that's a great spot for the whole family or guests to enjoy summer barbecues on. It really extends your living space in the spring, summer and fall."
The hallway then angles left, revealing an expansive (17.9-foot by 14.2-foot) eat-in kitchen that's a perfect blend of function and fashion.
"It's a U-shaped design, which gives you plenty of room to move around and create; there's even room for a table for four," said Mariani. "And while other units in the complex have only two walls in the kitchen, this one has three. As a result, there's a wealth of espresso maple cabinets to store your kitchen wares in. Plus, there's a (six door) pantry off to the side to store more supplies."
The kitchen's finishes -- the aforementioned espresso cabinets, a taupe/terra cotta tile backsplash, grey/black granite countertops and faux tile taupe (vinyl) flooring -- make for a warm ambience, while a large window over the double sink lets in loads of natural light.
Then, there's the living room, which seems much larger than its listed size (14.6 feet by 18.3 feet with a jog). That jog is a very handy feature, said Mariani.
"It actually gives you a built-in space for a computer desk or even a reading area if that's your preference. From there, it opens up nicely, giving you lots of room to place your furniture. It's also a bright space, as it has a large picture window on the front wall. It's also defined by gorgeous natural oak hardwoods."
Ascend via another wide staircase to the home's second level, and you encounter more pristine oak hardwoods -- and an area that contains three bedrooms, a very family-friendly feature. All three rooms are a good size, led (as should be the case) by the master suite, which measures in at 15 feet by 10 feet.
Mariani said the main bath is an impressive space in its own right.
"Like the kitchen, its finishes offer a nice touch of luxury -- espresso maple vanity with granite countertop, deep soaker tub with white tile surround, dual flush toilet and the same rich faux tile floor that's in the kitchen. The quality of the finishes is impressive."
She added if you're a young family looking for an affordable, updated home in a good location, there's no need to look any further.
"You don't want to miss this rare opportunity," she said. "A playground is nearby, shopping is around the corner, transit is nearby and taxes and condo fees are low. The home's well-designed layout and warm, beautifully finished atmosphere -- and its location -- is ideal for a young family."
lewys@mts.net
Resale Homes
Surprises await
It's a saying we all know well: Don't judge a book by its cover.
As clichéd as it might be, in this case -- 102 Ruby St., a two-and-a-half-storey, early 1900s-vintage home in Wolseley -- the saying is very much appropriate. From the outside, it looks like most Wolseley classics -- enclosed front porch, wood plank exterior and compact lot.
Head inside, and it's a different story. Although the home dates back to the early 20th century, it's no dated relic, said Realty Executives First Choice's Eric Neumann.
"The great thing about this home is that it's been updated in several key areas," he said. "The kitchen is new, the main bathroom has been fully updated, and the wiring has also been updated -- there's no knob-and-tube wiring left in the home. Flooring, paint and light fixtures have also been updated, as well."
While that's all well and good, the reality is we're dealing with a turn-of-the-last-century home here. Such homes -- there were no computer assisted design (CAD) software programs back in the early 1900s, after all -- often poor layouts, dim interiors and a lack of storage space.
That isn't the case with 102 Ruby, said Neumann.
"A lot of times with home this age, square footage can be misleading, but it's not with this home. It's listed at 1,808 square feet over three floors, and because the layout is good, that space is well-used. It's a very livable home on every level."
From the foyer on, 102 Ruby is something of an anomaly for a home of its vintage. For starters, the foyer isn't a confined space that leads forward into the home via a commonplace centre-hall plan. Rather, there's an inviting space next to it.
"The foyer's actually quite stunning, with a sitting area with ornamental fireplace to the left, a powder room at the end and a classic oak staircase off to the left," he said. "It's very rare for a home this age to have a main-floor bathroom, but this one does. And the woodwork -- the staircase, lintels above the doors, door trim and high (10-inch) baseboards is amazing with all the handmade details."
In another design departure, the foyer then angles right into the living room/dining room area. Both spaces are plenty big, and both -- somewhat surprisingly -- have big windows that let in a more-than-sufficient amount of natural light.
While both spaces are bright, they're also pleasantly warm.
"The hardwoods have been re-stained a darker colour (perhaps a little lighter than cappuccino), and, with the rest of the wood, give both spaces a nice, cosy feel. Another nice feature is that there's not one, but two sets of original sliding pocket doors -- one between the dining room and living room, and the other between the living room and foyer," he said. "It's an area that's ideal for entertaining."
The oversized dining room then flows neatly into the kitchen, which, at 11.3 feet by 10 feet, is larger than normal for a home in the 100-year-old range.
Its inherent function has been further enhanced by a recent renovation, said Neumann.
"There's plenty of room to move around, and the kitchen itself is quite contemporary with dark oak cabinets, a pantry, new (taupe/beige) laminate floor, new (tan/brown) countertops and new paint. I like the fact that there's lots of cabinet and counter space, and that there's a window to the right of the double sink that lets in more daylight. You're only steps from the dining room, too."
The home's upper level -- or, should we say, upper levels -- is a revelation, and very family friendly. Level 2 features two good-sized bedrooms, a main bath and second-floor laundry, while level 3 offers two more bedrooms that come with plenty of closet space (another rarity for a home this vintage).
"Two things stand out about the second floor," said Neumann. "First, the bathroom (it has not one, but two windows) has been redone with a stand-alone soaker tub that's reminiscent of a classic claw-foot tub in its styling, plus a floating cappuccino vanity and faux tile floor. Next, there's a second-floor laundry room next to the master bedroom -- a very convenient feature. There's also a door that leads to a three-season sunroom that could be turned into a balcony."
Take a second set of stairs to the third level and you encounter two more bedrooms; that brings the home's bedroom total to four.
"It's an area ideal for teenagers," he said. "Both bedrooms are a good size, bright (due to large windows) and above all, they're private."
Neumann added the home's location is quite exceptional.
"It's smack dab in the middle of Wolseley between Wolseley Avenue and Westminster Avenue, half a block from Laura Secord School and one-and-a-half blocks from Robert Steen Community Centre. Not only that, the home is located mid-block. It's hard to find a better location."
Equally important is the fact the home has been renovated in key areas.
"You're getting a move-in-ready home with new kitchen, bathroom, wiring and updated boiler," he said. "You're getting a nicely updated home, plus it offers classic Wolseley character, all for under $300,000. The value, character and location this home offers is exceptional."
lewys@mts.net
