Sale of the Week: the $630,000 Little Portugal semi that shows how far a few small upgrades can go
Address: 1 Delaney Crescent
Neighbourhood: Little Portugal
Agent: Leila Brewster and Colby Bayne , Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage
The Property: This three-bedroom semi uses aesthetic flourishes to make up for its relatively small lot and limited interior square footage. A custom-made flower box up front adds curb appeal and doubles as a stash for recycling bins. Inside, the exterior’s warm-wood theme extends to the home’s open-concept dining and living rooms, as well as the large eat-in kitchen. The master bedroom features a custom built-in closet and a bay window seat, and the finished lower level offers some storage space.
The History: Potential buyers viewing the property frequently asked if it was a flip. It isn’t. The sellers moved in 14 years ago, but decided to find a larger home for their growing family. While the home didn’t undergo any major renovations over the years, the sellers did spend $10,000 on cosmetic upgrades. They redid the main-level hardwood floors and installed bamboo floors on the second. They added stylish built-in storage and shelving throughout. Another addition was the backyard’s wooden deck, which complements a “living wall” of foliage. The investment was modest, but it added a lot of appeal.
The Fate: The new occupant is a young professional who, like many others, has decided to stay in the city rather than move out to the ‘burbs. He was especially drawn to 1 Delaney’s readiness for habitation. According to an engineer’s report, the home isn’t in need of significant upgrades. Dundas West’s burgeoning restaurant and shopping scene is a short trek north, and in fact the entire neighbourhood is emerging as a hotspot for young homebuyers.
The Sale: The sellers expected to attract a first-time homebuyer. The asking price took into consideration the home’s prime location, as well as its smaller size, small lot, lack of parking and lack of major renovations. Attractive staging helped make the property an easier sell by helping viewers visualize how the space could be used. There were two offers after seven days, but the agents say some viewers passed on the opportunity because the main floor’s open-concept plan didn’t encompass the entire level, leaving the kitchen isolated. An offer for $32,100 over asking was accepted, recouping the relatively small amount spent on upgrades, and then some.
By the Numbers:
• $632,000
• $32,100 over asking
• $10,000 for cosmetic upgrades, including labour
• 1,223 square feet above grade
• 604-square-foot lower level
• 105 per cent of list price
• 15.79-by-74-foot lot
• 7 days on market
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 offers
• 2 bathrooms
• No parking
268223 The exterior of the house Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-1.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-1/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-1 0 0
268224 This is the living room Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-2.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-2/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-2 0 0
268225 And here's the dining room Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-3.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-3/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-3 0 0
268226 And here's how the living room and the dining room flow together Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-4.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-4/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-4 0 0
268227 The kitchen isn't part of the main-floor open-concept plan, but it does at least have a decently sized eat-in area Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-5.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-5/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-5 0 0
268228 The house's three bedrooms are on the second floor Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-6.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-6/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-6 0 0
268229 Here's a bedroom Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-7.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-7/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-7 0 0
268230 And here's another bedroom Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-8.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-8/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-8 0 0
268231 And here's the second-floor washroom Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-9.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-9/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-9 0 0
268232 The master bedroom has this nice built-in storage unit Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-10/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-10 0 0
268233 Here's a reverse view of the master bedroom Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-11/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-11 0 0
268234 The basement is finished Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-12/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-12 0 0
268235 And here's the basement washroom Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-13/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-13 0 0
268236 The basement also has this semi-finished storage area Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-14/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-14 0 0
268237 And here's a view of the house from the rear Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent Sale of the Week: 1 Delaney Crescent https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-15/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-1-delaney-crescent-15 0 0