Sale of the Week: the $970,000 Hillcrest reno that shows a buyer can get the best of both neighbourhoods
Address: 536 Christie Street
Neighbourhood: Hillcrest
Agent: Nick Vrysellas , Urban Village Realty Inc.
The Property: This two-storey home was extensively renovated for maximum convenience. New subflooring ensures a squeak-free future for the hardwood, while pot lights are outfitted with eco-friendly five-watt LED bulbs and the den is pre-wired for a flat-screen TV. The low-maintenance stone backyard and open-concept kitchen were both attractive to viewers, but the real showstopper was the front porch, crafted from 100 per cent knot-free, premium cedar.
The History: This home was flipped by renovators from Lombardi Designs, who spent approximately $225,000 on upgrades. They purchased the home from its original owners, who had lived there for around four decades. Similar starter homes in the area sell for between $600,000 and $800,000. Prices have been buoyed by an influx of trendy restaurants and the presence of nearby Wychwood Barns, which opened in 2008.
The Fate: The home’s new owners fit the target market: a young-professional couple with no children seeking a spot where they can start a family. Thanks to the renovations, they won’t have to touch a thing for decades—unless they want to give the partially finished basement their personal touch. As some of the dated million-dollar Wychwood homes across the street renovate into $1.5-million territory, 536 Christie will reap the rewards, even though it technically resides in an adjacent neighbourhood, Hillcrest.
The Sale: Last year, six Hillcrest properties crested the million dollar mark—mostly large, detached new-builds. The sellers of 536 Christie initially pushed for a million, but they settled on a $995,000 asking price because of the home’s spot on busy Christie Street. Poor weather hindered the sale and prompted another tactical shift. After 30 days, the home was re-listed for $15,100 less and beautifully staged for a small investment of $4,000 (it had previously been empty). It sold within two days.
By the Numbers:
• $970,000
• $225,000 in renovations, approximately
• $4,000 for staging
• $2,000 spent on wood for the new porch
• 1,500 square feet
• 99 per cent of list price
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 days to sell after being re-listed for a lower price
• 2 bathrooms
265296 The house's new cedar porch impressed potential buyers 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-01/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-01 0 0
265297 The newly renovated dining area and kitchen 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-02/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-02 0 0
265298 A reverse view of the dining area and kitchen, looking into the living room 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-03/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-03 0 0
265299 A close-up view of the kitchen 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-04/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-04 0 0
265300 And a close-up view of the living room 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-05/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-05 0 0
265301 There are three bedrooms on the second floor of the house. This is one 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-06/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-06 0 0
265302 And here's another of the second-floor bedrooms 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-07/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-07 0 0
265303 And here's the master bedroom 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-08/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-08 0 0
265304 The second-floor bedrooms share this washroom 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-09/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-09 0 0
265305 The basement is partially finished 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-10/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-10 0 0
265306 This is the basement washroom 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-11/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-11 0 0
265307 The backyard is covered with stone pavers. No lawnmowers required 536 Christie Street 536 Christie Street https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-12/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-536-christie-street-12 0 0
“The sellers of 536 Christie initially pushed for a million, but they settled on a $995,000 asking price because of the home’s spot on busy Christie Street.”
No mention of the fact that this house was listed in Nov 2013 for $1,095,000? Why make up the sentence quoted above? They did list for over a million.
the basement is more like unfinished… totally not worth it….
This is a shitty blog about real estate