Sale of the Week: the $1.3-million Summerhill semi that proves buyers love a nice condo alternative
Address: 89 Alcorn Avenue
Neighbourhood: Summerhill
Agent: Deborah Penzo and Wanda Cowie , Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Johnston and Daniel Division, Brokerage
The Property: This Summerhill rowhouse is a condo alternative, with 1,600 square feet of living space, including a finished basement. Summerhill subway station is just at the corner.
The History: The sellers originally moved into the turn-of-the-century semi from a nearby condo of similar proportions. Envisioning a home suited to a couple, they hired Urban Blueprint Developments to renovate the place. One of the three bedrooms became a dressing room and custom washroom with sliding doors, and the basement was underpinned to give the man of the house his own space, with extra headroom. Now, the former owners are moving into a larger house.
The Fate: The buyers who snagged the place are a couple downsizing from a larger home in Etobicoke. Their empty-nester story is a familiar one for the neighbourhood. The selling agent says Summerhill is experiencing an influx of downsizers from Lawrence Park and the Kingsway. Buyers are attracted to the restaurants and shops along Yonge, as well as the area’s upscale rep, which suits former owners of mini-mansions.
The Sale: The buyers cut other suitors out of the picture by making their bid after the exclusive “agent open house” ended and before the public open house began. The sellers expected a bidding war, but couldn’t refuse an offer in line with their asking price. The two parties struck a deal on day two, conditional upon a home inspection. After four days, the offer firmed up and 89 Alcorn was off the market.
By the Numbers:
• $1,295,000
• $5,036 in taxes (2013)
• 1,100 square feet above grade
• 600-square-foot backyard deck
• 545-square-foot finished basement
• 100 per cent of list price
• 12-foot-wide interior
• 4 days on the market
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 washrooms
• 1 on-street parking spot (permit not included)
288625 The house has lots of curb appeal, but it's fairly narrow, with an interior only about 12 feet wide. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-1-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-1.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-1/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-1 0 0
288626 The living room is at the front of the house. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-2-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-2.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-2/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-2 0 0
288627 And here's the dining area, next to the stairs. The space is a little cramped, but it compares favourably to many condos in the area. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-3-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-3.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-3/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-3 0 0
288628 Here's how the dining area connects with the living room. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-4-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-4.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-4/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-4 0 0
288629 And here's the kitchen, a custom job with solid-wood cabinetry and a Wolf range. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-5-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-5.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-5/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-5 0 0
288630 The kitchen has a door to the backyard. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-6-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-6.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-6/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-6 0 0
288631 There are three bedrooms on the second floor of the house, but two of them aren't being used as such. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-7-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-7.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-7/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-7 0 0
288632 Here's one of them, currently serving as an office. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-8-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-8.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-8/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-8 0 0
288633 And here's another bedroom, pressed into service as a walk-in closet by the home's former owners. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-9-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-9.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-9/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-9 0 0
288634 This is the master bedroom, with cool wall treatment. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-10/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-10 0 0
288636 The basement is set up as a "man cave" (yuck). Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-12-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-12/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-12 0 0
288637 The basement washroom. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-13-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-13/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-13 0 0
288638 The laundry room. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-14-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-14/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-14 0 0
288639 And here's the view from behind. Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue Sale of the Week: 89 Alcorn Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-15-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-15/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-89-alcorn-avenue-15 0 0