The Sell: A Bloor West Village couple reaps the benefits of downsizing in a surging market

The story: The Ducharmes bought the former triplex four years ago and converted it into a big single-family home. “It was perfect,” Jason says. “I felt so settled I could have put my tombstone out back.” But as their children started shipping off to university, they realized that by downsizing to a three-bedroom house in the same neighbourhood they could afford to build their dream cottage on the Bay of Fundy.

The prep: The place was in good shape thanks to the recent reno and the Ducharmes’ collection of modern furniture. But the couple had to do a lot of decluttering—“I still had my kindergarten report cards,” Jason says. Their agents, mother-and-son team Tanya Sidorova and Michael Inwood, brought in art for staging and recommended they price low to attract interest.

The offers: The listing process was “complete bedlam,” Jason says. The family stayed at Sidorova’s time-share in Horseshoe Valley for a week while crowds filed through. The showings yielded eight offers—seven of which were unconditional and more than $100,000 over asking price. The Duchar­mes picked the highest bidder, and after just a week on the market, the house was sold.