These 30-somethings searched east, north and west for their starter home
On their wish list: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, transit proximity and ground-floor green space for their Samoyed, Brie
The Buyers: Vivian Bryant, a 33-year-old lawyer, and Gordon Bryant, a 36-year-old web developer and designer.
The Story: In 2025, Vivian and Gordon were renting a two-bedroom, two-bathroom Victorian unit in the Annex for $3,300. As interest rates stabilized, they wondered if it was time to buy. They wanted a townhouse with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus ground-floor access and green space for their Samoyed, Brie, who, at nine years old, needed frequent potty breaks. They also wanted proximity to transit since Gordon doesn’t drive. That October, they set an $850,000 budget and began the hunt.
Option 1: Battenberg Avenue near Queen and Coxwell
Listed at: $750,000 Sold for: $700,000
At first, Vivian and Gordon wanted to keep things casual, so they didn’t hire a real estate agent. They started with this three-storey, two-bedroom, one-bathroom townhouse in the Beaches. It came with a backyard and plenty of storage, which they liked, but its split-level layout was impractical, with the kitchen and the dining room on different floors. The climb would also be hard for Brie. They decided to bring on a realtor to help them find the best options for their budget. Once they were pre-approved for a mortgage, they set back out.
Option 2: Lillian Street near Yonge and Eglinton
Listed at: $745,000 Unsold
A month later, the couple attended a showing for this two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse—conveniently one block from Gordon’s office. “We liked the kitchen’s subway-tile backsplash,” says Vivian, “as well as the warm wood floors throughout.” But it didn’t come with any grass for Brie, merely a stone patio. The neighbourhood didn’t offer much in the way of parks either. Also, Vivian and Gordon sometimes work from home, and the property didn’t come with enough space for both of their desks. They moved on.
The Buy: St. Helen’s Avenue near Bloor and Lansdowne
Listed at: $695,000 Sold for: $720,000
Later that same day, Vivian and Gordon saw this three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse in Junction–Wallace Emerson. It met all of their needs, had a shared backyard for Brie and was just a 15-minute walk from Dufferin Grove Park. They put in an offer right away at $720,000. By the end of November, it was theirs. They’ve already begun improvements, swapping out door handles and replacing kitchen cabinets. “I grew up in this neighbourhood, so it feels like home,” says Vivian. “We can’t wait to host family and friends.”
