Resale Homes
Resale Homes
Like a cottage near the city
Serenity. It's a sought-after commodity, yet one that's often hard to come by in the city.
Consequently, in order to gain peace and quiet, many people opt to move to newer bedroom communities where it might be quiet, but, because many such communities are newer, the lots are immature, making for less-than-desirable surroundings that will take years to fill out as the landscaping and trees mature. As exciting as it is to purchase a new home, it's not utopia.
Sometimes it pays to look at the middle ground, which in this case means looking at a resale home in an established community outside the city. It just so happens one exists on a pristine .4-hectare lot surrounded by mature trees in East St. Paul at 150 Terrance Place, said Royal LePage Alliance's Jennifer Gulay.
"If you're a family looking for a home that offers a serene, private feel and lots of space, this could be the home for you," she said. "At 2,606 sq. ft. (not including the developed lower level), this home offers tons of space and has been updated in several key areas."
Seeing as the home was built in 1981 -- a full 33 years ago -- those updates are a critical feature, as 1980s-era homes were known for their oak kitchens -- which often tended to be a bit of an ergonomic disaster from a navigability standpoint -- and rather featureless dining rooms.
Neither of those less-than-desirable attributes are present within the spacious confines of 150 Terrance.
"Within the last five years, an addition was made to the home's rear portion," said Gulay. "It really transformed the home. The kitchen was expanded and modernized, the dining room was deepened, and a sunroom/sitting room was added off the rear of the dining room. Tons of recessed lighting was added, too."
The result is a main living area that feels thoroughly contemporary -- and that possesses the efficiency of a new home design.
"I absolutely love the kitchen -- it's a big, bright, functional space with a rear wall filled with windows, a huge, angular island with built-in table, tons of cherry cabinets and gorgeous taupe Corian countertops," she said. "Light just floods in from the windows and skylight (placed above the sink, which overlooks the backyard). The view of the mature trees in the backyard is amazing."
She added there's an additional feature that really makes the kitchen rock.
"There's a patio door that leads to a screened-in deck -- it's an ideal place to eat or entertain in the spring, summer and fall. You really get a cottage-like feel sitting in it, looking out at all the gorgeous trees in the big, private backyard."
Likewise, the adjacent family room -- which is set one step down from the kitchen -- features patio doors that lead to the screened-in deck. With its brick fireplace, beamed ceiling and wainscoting, it creates a relaxing, rustic feel that ties in beautifully with the backyard scenery.
Meanwhile, flow from the kitchen to the dining room is seamless, making for a main living area that's ideal for entertaining. The dining room is a long, wide space featuring oak hardwoods, a serving area, pendant lighting and a bonus -- the sitting room/sunroom to its rear.
"Not only do you have all kinds of room for a table that seats anywhere from six to 12 people, you've also got the sitting room at the back that extends the area -- and lets in more natural light," Gulay said. "There's also a big living room with a huge picture window next to it (providing more relaxing views of the mature forest that surrounds the home). It's a perfect spot to visit with friends and family after dinner."
Space and light abound in the home's upper level, which contains not three but four bedrooms plus a four-piece bath with dual sinks. All three kids' bedrooms are larger than normal with oversized windows; and the master bedroom is a functional retreat.
"It's a big private space with a huge picture window that provides an elevated view of all the beautiful trees," she said. "It has a two-piece ensuite, big, open-concept walk-in closet and pot lights. The (taupe) carpet is new, and it's also been newly painted."
Because the lower level has been developed, the home possesses a functional third level that takes its total square footage over the 3,300-sq.-ft. mark.
"There's a big rec room with a media area that has a built-in entertainment centre, plus an area that can be used as a games area, play area, or as an exercise area. There's also a huge room that can be used as an office, exercise room, play area or storage room. The laundry room is huge; it also contains the furnace and hot-water tank, and offers lots of storage space, too."
Gulay said the home offers great value for a family looking for a safe, quiet spot to bring up their children in a home that offers plenty of space, style and utility.
"It's like being in your own park, yet you're only minutes from the city," she said. "It's a solid, updated home that has so much to offer a young, active family."
lewys@mts.net
Resale Homes
Sold/Offered July 12
SOLD:
River Heights
ADDRESS: 665 Oak St.
ASKING PRICE: $349,900
SOLD PRICE: $378,500
TAXES: $3,899.48
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,260
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 1.5
LOT SIZE: 39 x 120
LISTING AGENT: Debbie Meyers, Monopoly Realty, 204-791-9129
SELLING AGENT: Cory Kehler, RE/MAX Professionals, 204-477-0500
SOLD:
Transcona
ADDRESS: 37 Berens St.
ASKING PRICE: $289,900
SOLD PRICE: $290,000
TAXES: $3,223.76
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,200
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 2
LOT SIZE: 55 x 110
LISTING AGENT: Glenn Kisil & Cheryl Kisil, Kisil & Associates Real Estate Ltd., 204-668-7878
SOLD:
East St. Paul/Pritchard Farms
ADDRESS: 94 Eagle Creek Dr.
ASKING PRICE: $749,900
SOLD PRICE: $742,000
TAXES: $6,916.14
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,253
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 3
LOT SIZE: 111 x 156
LISTING AGENT: Scott Moore, Realty Executives Premiere, 204-995-7355
SELLING AGENT: Kevin Moist, Remax Performance, 204-255-4204
SOLD:
Riverview
ADDRESS: 333 Clare Ave.
ASKING PRICE: $338,000
SOLD PRICE: $338,000
TAXES: $3,105.33
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,034
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 2
LOT SIZE: 50 x 128
LISTING AGENT: Scott Moore, Realty Executives Premiere, 204-995-7355
SELLING AGENT: Don Watson, Powell Property Group, 204-977-2142
SOLD:
Kildonan Meadows
ADDRESS: 394 Kildonan Meadow Dr.
ASKING PRICE: $412,000
SOLD PRICE: $412,000
TAXES: $1,289.78
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,060
BEDROOMS: 3
BATHROOMS: 2.5
LOT SIZE: 44 x 137
LISTING & SELLING AGENT: Scott Moore, Realty Executives Premiere, 204-995-7355
Resale Homes
Easy life
These days, many young professional couples are opting to buy condos for a turnkey lifestyle.
Schedules are crammed with work, socializing and travelling. They don't want to spend time cutting grass, shovelling, painting and other time-consuming maintenance.
But once they get into that condo, they notice a lack of living and storage space. With those shortcomings in mind, Qualico created unique homes in Sage Creek, called courtyard homes, in 2012. Built on smaller, low-maintenance lots, the homes are designed to offer consumers a viable alternative to condominiums.
One has come up for sale, said Lifestyles Real Estate's Charlene Urbanski.
"This home is only two years old and is basically a gently used new home," she said. "It's a modern, inviting home in like-new condition. With its neutral colour palette and unfinished basement, it's a home the new owners can truly make their own."
Most importantly, you get a like-new home that offers more than 2,200 square feet of livable space spread out over three levels (as opposed to a 1,000-sq.-ft. apartment-style condo that's on one level). Thanks to a well-conceived design, the home feels significantly larger than its listed square footage.
That voluminous feel starts the moment you enter the home: the foyer and living room have a ceiling that soars to a height of approximately six metres.
Three large windows placed up high, plus a large picture window on the family room front wall (as well as big window next to the foyer), allow natural light to cascade into the space.
"It's an absolutely wonderful space," said Urbanski. "Its width gives you plenty of room for an entertainment unit and furniture, and there's still plenty of room to pass by to the kitchen/dining area. Flow between the two areas is excellent, making it ideal for entertaining."
Meanwhile, the kitchen/dinette area is as efficient as the living room is inviting. Qualico's designers got its proportions just right: the dinette area is four metres by three metres, while the galley-style, island kitchen is nine metres by 3.5 metres.
"I think the best thing about the kitchen is its well-balanced design. The island is the right size for the space, making it easy to move around. It not only looks great with its espresso base and beige quartz countertop, but it also has an eating area for two," she explained. "There's plenty of (espresso maple) cabinets (divided neatly into two sections by an angled pantry) and the grey/beige glass tile backsplash adds an extra touch of style."
Then, there are additional design touches that take the kitchen from good to great: an expandable dining area (that will accommodate four to 10 guests), a transom window set high up on the wall next to the table and a patio door (with large windows either side) that leads to a backyard.
"It's a wonderful spot to relax with a (partly) covered stamped concrete patio," Urbanski said. "The home next door has a transom window set up high on the wall facing you so that you're in your own private little world. With its crushed (grey) rock landscaping, there's no grass to cut, and there's even a garden for flowers and vegetables. There's also an attached double garage off the rear of the home."
Ascend the staircase and you encounter a second floor that's functional. Immediately to the right of the stairs is a loft with a one-third maple-capped wall that overlooks the living room. To the left is a convenient second-floor laundry room (with another big window), followed by a four-piece bath with soaker tub. To the right is the second bedroom; at the end of the hallway is the master suite.
As was the case with the main floor, each space is well-proportioned, she added.
"The loft is about 13.7 feet by 11.3 feet, and makes a great space for an office, media room or play room. The second bedroom is 10 feet by 10 feet, while the master suite is 14 feet by 13.8 feet with a four-piece ensuite and walk-in closet. It's a big, bright private space."
Finally, there's the unfinished basement, which offers an additional 500 square feet of living space that can be used for storage, or that can house a third bedroom, rec room, bath and storage.
"This is a next-to-new, efficiently designed home that's very contemporary," said Urbanski. "It's in a great neighbourhood that's close to shopping, walking trails, playgrounds, a future school and all kinds of amenities. It's a low-maintenance home with livable space spread out over three levels that offers far more utility than a condominium."
lewys@mts.net
Resale Homes
Living large & luxurious in Charleswood
When you think about Winnipeg's most luxurious neighbourhoods, areas like Tuxedo come quickly to mind.
However, as central and stately as Tuxedo is, there's another area--this one a little further west--that offers as much, if not more, said Judy Lindsay Team Realty's Guy Boudreau.
"The one thing you generally don't get in Tuxedo are huge lots that back on to the river," he said, noting that the lot on which 6383 Southboine Dr. is situated on is a monstrous 100 feet wide and 340 feet deep. "With this home, you get a tranquil location surrounded by trees next to the river that's secluded, yet close to everything. This home, and the lot it's on, is a real gem."
Tucked well back from the tree-lined street behind a pair of stately pines and a beautifully-landscaped front yard, 6383 Southboine's low-slung exterior belies the space that awaits inside. The bungalow features Frank Lloyd Wright design themes and measures in at a deceptive 2,732 sq. ft.
Even though the home was built more than four decades ago (in 1971 to be precise), its layout--and a host of updates performed throughout the home--make for a modern feel.
"I would characterize the floor plan as easy-flowing," said Boudreau. "You're welcomed warmly by a wide foyer that quickly transitions into an open living room (with stunning Brazilian walnut hardwoods) and 14-foot-high beamed ceiling. The focal point is a wood burning fireplace on the rear wall set in tyndalstone with oversized patio doors on either side that let in all kinds of natural light, and that provide access to the private back yard deck."
That easy flow continues into a large formal dining room (14 feet by 11 feet and framed by tyndalstone pillars) that opens directly on to the living room; a wide doorway then takes you into a bright huge space that contains an island kitchen, media area and oversized dinette area--a rarity for a home conceived roughly 20 years before great room plans came into vogue.
"This is the original design--the area wasn't opened up to make it more contemporary," he said. "It's a truly special space due to several design features. First, it's surrounded by glass--two patio doors that lead to an elevated deck/balcony, plus a window in the centre and more windows to the side. The views of the backyard, trees, river and pool are spectacular."
The kitchen was updated masterfully with an island with seating for three, cream corian countertops, a wealth of cherry cabinets and an off-white, low-maintenance tile floor. Thanks to all the space, there's ample room for a media area to the left of the kitchen and dinette area at the rear of the room between the patio doors.
"There's also a fireplace with red brick surround, and the dining room is located conveniently just steps from the kitchen--it's a great space for entertaining, or to spend time with the family. Best of all, the deck, balcony and pool area extend your entertaining space during the warm weather months."
Meanwhile, a private wing off the kitchen endows the sprawling home with more in the way of modern function. First, there's a large, tiled mudroom with garage access to the left. Next is a four-piece bath that's adjacent to a main floor laundry room, a feature rarely found in 40-plus-year-old homes.
The wing is then capped off by a large bedroom.
"It's an area that's ideal for a teenager wanting a private spot of their own, or even for use as an in-law suite," Boudreau said. "The hallway then leads directly to the foyer and front entrance for easy access."
Way across the living room is another wing--this one bordered by tyndalstone pillars--that houses a huge third bedroom and a spacious, well-positioned master suite.
"It's a big (23 feet by 15 feet), calming space that features a six-piece ensuite (with light taupe tile floor, six-foot jetted tub, cherry wood vanity with dual sinks and dual storage towers, two-person tile/tempered glass shower and steam room) and a separate walk-in closet next to four corner windows that let in light and provide a view of the beautiful back yard," he added. "You also have direct access to the backyard through patio doors next to the bedroom."
Another 800 sq. ft. of space awaits downstairs: a fourth bedroom, four-piece bath and a walk-out rec room.
"Right now, it's being used as a bedroom/office area, but you could knock out the rear wall (with double doors and two windows), reclaim the storage area and have a true walk-out media room/games area," said Boudreau. "With the lower level, the home offers over 3,500 sq. ft. of total living space, making it a great family home."
Combine all the updates, forward-thinking interior and incredible lot with a great location, and you have a family-oriented home loaded with potential, added Boudreau.
"This is a thoroughly contemporary home in a prestigious, convenient Assiniboine River location," he said. "You're only minutes from west and south Winnipeg, close to golf (Breezy Bend, Glendale, St. Charles, John Blumberg, yet you're in your own secluded, private spot in an incredible setting. You can't beat the practical luxury that it offers in such a natural, yet central location."
lewys@mts.net
