The Chase: After searching across the GTA, this couple found their starter home right where they began

The buyers: Chelsea Clark, 32, a marketing specialist, and her husband, Christopher Russo, 34, a high school teacher.

The story: In February of 2022, Chelsea and Christopher’s work lives took a turn. She was shifting to full-time remote work, and he had transferred from the Peel District School Board to Durham. They had been renting a one-bedroom apartment in Oshawa for two years, and now they felt ready to buy. The couple set a budget of $600,000 and cast a wide net, searching for properties from Courtice to Newmarket. But they soon realized that Oshawa, which was close to their family, friends and work, was also within reach. Here’s what happened next.

Option 1: Central Park Boulevard North, Oshawa

Listed at: $599,900 Sold for: $615,000

Chelsea and Christopher saw this two-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow in January of 2023 and loved the location. It was within walking distance of Woodview Park along with the many shops and restaurants on Ritson Road North. The place needed some TLC, but the basement and garage had tons of reno potential. Still, the couple wanted to see what else was on the market within their budget before making any bids. “As first-time buyers, we were in the education phase,” says Chelsea. They kept looking.

Option 2: Eulalie Avenue, Oshawa

Listed at: $599,900 Sold for: $645,000

A month later, they visited this classic two-storey strawberry box house with three bedrooms, a den and two bathrooms. They liked that it was close to the 401 and that it was larger than the previous house. But the bedrooms themselves were tiny, and the front and backyards desperately needed a new fence. The home also had an old fuse box instead of circuit breakers, so it would require a whole new electrical panel. Chelsea and Christopher didn’t have the time or money to tackle the updates, so they moved on.

The Buy: Highland Avenue, Oshawa

Listed at: $600,000 Sold for: $687,500

This place was kitty-corner to the last house. It had an open-concept design and a third bedroom, which could be converted into an office. The basement was semi-finished, so renovations would be more manageable than with the previous properties. When Chelsea and Chris’s agent informed them that they’d be in the running with one other bidder, the couple upped their budget, submitted an offer of $687,000 and attached a personal letter. It worked. In May of 2023, they moved in. “We love this house,” says Chelsea. “We want to grow into it for years to come.”