Sale of the Week: the $1.4-million home that hints at a mini-mansion-filled future for Newtonbrook
Address: 168 Caines Avenue
Neighbourhood: Newtonbrook
Agent: Mark and Veronica Amador , Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc., Brokerage
The Property: The main level of this mini-mansion is dominated by a huge marble-floored, open-concept kitchen, which occupies 528.3 square feet. The master bedroom walks out onto a balcony and sports a marble-floored five-piece en suite, and the second master bedroom claims a four-piece en suite of its own.
The History: The previous owner demolished a bungalow and built this home in its place. It was completed in 2013. She originally intended to live here, so many of her tastes shine through: the giant kitchen, the custom chandeliers and the two-sided fireplace are some of her personal touches. Like several of her neighbours, she built the backyard fence short of the actual property line, to lend space to what has become a de facto playground for Caines Avenue children.
The Fate: Large homes like 168 Caines Avenue are fairly new to the area, but several similarly sized places are already under construction down the street. Developers have set their sights on the cheaper west sides of Newtonbrook and Willowdale after the two neighbourhoods’ eastern halves became saturated with high-priced properties. In the past year, property values in the west have increased, on average, by an estimated $150,000, according to the selling agent.
The Sale: The agents featured this home on the inaugural episode of their segment on OMNI 2 . Although the TV spot catered to Korean-Canadians, it piqued the interest of the eventual buyers, a well-heeled young Chinese couple set to be married. The home had three competing offers, and the sale closed at $1,400,000, or $112,000 over asking. According to the agent, the tandem garage (rather than a side-by-side double) held the price back slightly.
By the Numbers:
• $1,400,000
• 4,200 square feet above grade
• 1,700-square-foot finished basement
• 109 per cent of list price
• 16 days on the market
• 5 bathrooms
• 4+1 bedrooms
• 3 offers
• 2-car tandem garage
283021 The house is a little bigger than the bungalows this neighbourhood is used to Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-1-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-1.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-1/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-1 0 0
283022 The living room, like much of the rest of the main floor, has marble flooring Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-2-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-2.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-2/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-2 0 0
283023 There's a double-sided fireplace Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-3-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-3.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-3/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-3 0 0
283024 The kitchen is so massive that the owner could practically film a cooking show in there Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-4-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-4.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-4/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-4 0 0
283025 The dining area is comparatively modest Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-5-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-5.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-5/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-5 0 0
283026 The family room is looking a little bare at the moment Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-6-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-6.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-6/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-6 0 0
283027 A custom chandelier lights up the stairs Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-7-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-7.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-7/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-7 0 0
283028 There are four bedrooms on the second floor of the house Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-8-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-8.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-8/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-8 0 0
283029 Here's one of the four Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-9-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-9.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-9/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-9 0 0
283030 And here's the spacious master bedroom Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-10/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-10 0 0
283031 A fireplace warms up the foot of the bed. The door to the right leads out to a balcony Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-11-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-11/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-11 0 0
283032 There's a walk-in closet, of course Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-12-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-12/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-12 0 0
283033 And the en suite washroom has granite and marble everywhere Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-13-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-13/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-13 0 0
283034 The basement is finished, complete with shiny new laminate flooring Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue Sale of the Week: 168 Caines Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-14-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-14/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-168-caines-avenue-14 0 0
Nowheresville. I am surprised that part of town is riding so high these days. Might as well live out in the burbs along the Go line.
Serious questions to ask? Did the house have a TARION WARRANTY? Was this being sold as a new house or a resale…..
So many small builders are navigating rules by building ‘for themselves’ then selling.