Sale of the Week: the $1.3-million Leaside home that shows the power of a well-timed bully offer
Address: 81 Bessborough Drive
Neighbourhood: Leaside
Agent: James LaPointe , Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage
The Property: The same-day sale of this two-storey, three-bedroom home was helped along by the property’s top-tier school district, which includes Rolph Road Elementary, Bessborough Elementary and Middle School, and Leaside High School (Margaret Atwood went there in the fifties). Another major draw was its location on Bessborough Drive, a Leaside street with cachet.
The History: The previous owner was a single professional mom of one who had owned the property since around 1994. The well-maintained home, built in 1937, retained most of its original details over the years, including hardwood floors and leaded windows. In the early 70s, though, a previous owner updated the kitchen, and the boiler and air conditioners are modern.
The Fate: The home will be spared a teardown, a fate increasingly common in Leaside. The buyers are a couple with a child, and they plan on doing some renovations over the next few years. The 30-by-115-foot lot may allow for the home to be lengthened.
The Sale: The “for sale” sign went into the ground at 10:30 a.m. Within eight hours, the buying agent had emailed a firm $1,305,000 early bid with one caveat: it would expire in three hours. Immediately, the selling agent called the seller, who was interested. Other potential buyers couldn’t be contacted because of the calculated dinner-hour deadline, so the seller accepted the deal by 8:30 p.m., after the home had been on the market for only 10 hours.
By the Numbers:
• $1,305,000
• 109 per cent of list price
• 10 hours on the market
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 parking spaces in the driveway
• 2 washrooms
• 1 tactical bully offer
287857 The house was built in 1937, and it retains many original details. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-1-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-1.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-1/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-1 0 0
287858 Here's the entrance. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-2-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-2.jpg 1000 1296 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-2/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-2 0 0
287859 Here's the living room, with plenty of leaded glass to go around. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-3-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-3.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-3/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-3 0 0
287860 Another view of the living room. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-4-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-4.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-4/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-4 0 0
287861 The dining room is big enough to seat the extended family. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-5-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-5.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-5/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-5 0 0
287862 And the kitchen, while clearly not updated any time this decade, does have a nice little dining nook of its own. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-6-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-6.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-6/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-6 0 0
287863 And there's even a little solarium area. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-7-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-7.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-7/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-7 0 0
287864 All three bedrooms are on the second floor of the house. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-8-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-8.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-8/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-8 0 0
287865 Here's the second-floor hallway. Check out that fancy custom carpeting. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-9-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-9.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-9/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-9 0 0
287866 Here's one of the second-floor bedrooms, complete with sitting area. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-10.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-10/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-10 0 0
287867 And here's another bedroom, currently being used as a den. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-11-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-11.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-11/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-11 0 0
287868 Even the lower-level rec room has wood floors. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-12-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-12.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-12/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-12 0 0
287869 There's a deck. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-13-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-13.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-13/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-13 0 0
287870 And here's a view of the backyard. Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive Sale of the Week: 81 Bessborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-14-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-14.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 CARALYN ING"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-14/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-81-bessborough-drive-14 0 0
How can you even get some home inspectors to check the place out? I would be immediately suspicious and refuse to be given three hours for a 1.3 million dollar deal. I would also never work with an agent that would give me an offer like this.
Having shown the property (inside the small listing window) and given its location, the buyer was probably a builder. They were aggressive and quick. The listing Sales Representative was very professional, accommodating and forthcoming with the process. It would have been nice to have done a deal with him. It just proves that working with knowledgeable, local Brokers goes a long way to securing opportunities in a busy marketplace. Leaside sees 200-210 MLS sales a year – detached homes have posted a 6% increase in the last 12 months (ending July 31 2014). For the latest up-to-date sales statistics, google “Leaside Sales Statistics”