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BUILDER’S BLISS

Tear downs to build you up

by Jen Selk

With prices down and opportunity up, now may be a good time to consider investing in the home of your dreams. That said, in the current market, there’s no need to settle for someone else’s renovation. Tear downs are a way to get your foot in the door of some of the city’s oldest and most affluent neighbourhoods while the getting’s good. Your dream home could be a wrecking ball away.

Rosy opportunity near Rosedale

Grab this huge lot opportunity at the edge of Moore Park-Rosedale and imagine a 3,600-square-foot custom home in its place. With ample exposure, this property could also go live/work. Rezoning is possible.

Listing price: $949,000
Address: 88 Glenrose Ave.
Intersection: Mt. Pleasant and St. Clair
Age: Unknown
Last Selling Price: $949,000
Lot: 50 by 150 feet
Days on the market: 50
Agent: Eric Kuzuian
Special features: Formerly two lots, legally converted to one, lots of parking

In the heart of the Forest

Located on a central Forest Hill lot, this is a perfect opportunity to build among some of the poshest places in the city. Listed “as is,” the sale excludes chandeliers, sconces and the front door.

Listing price: $1,699,000
Address: 183 Forest Hill Rd.
Intersection: Avenue and Eglinton
Age: Unknown
Last Selling Price: Unknown
Lot: 40.5 by 130 feet
Days on the market: 8
Agent: Geraldine Del Zotto
Special features: Lot backs on to a park, features a pool, minutes to downtown

Buildable or livable in Bayview

Located on a quiet, “child-safe” crescent, this home is also modernized and livable and has four bedrooms and a large, south-facing backyard if you’re not quite ready to take the teardown plunge.

Listing price: $899,000
Address: 85 Aldershot Cres.
Intersection: Yonge and 401
Age: 50 to 60 years old
Last Selling Price: $34,800
Lot: 60 by 125 feet
Days on the market: 64
Agent: Karen Davis
Special features: Contemporary bathroooms, appliances and built-in bookshelves, all salvageable

Build up this 1940s bungalow in North York

This cute 1940s bungalow is ripe for redevelopment. A rear ravine means privacy and plenty of room for kids to play and grow. Though the street is quiet, the location offers efficient access to highways and shopping centres.

Listing price: $489,000
Address: 4 Roycrest Ave.
Intersection: Bathurst and Sheppard
Age: 70 years old
Last Selling Price: Unknown
Lot: 50 by 190.83 feet
Days on the market: 76
Agent: Terence Bloch
Special features: Located on a short, quiet street, backing on a forested ravine complete with stream

True value in Olde Thornhill

This large property in “Olde Thornhill” is still in good shape, so feel free to put off demolition and stay awhile if the timing isn’t right. Featuring ’80s-era updates and a new roof circa 2006, the house will keep you warm and dry in the meantime.

Listing price: $697,500
Address: 45 John St.
Intersection: Yonge and John
Age: 59 years old
Last Selling Price: $297,000
Lot: Approx. 79 by 183 feet
Days on the market: 6
Agent: Paul Zammit
Special features: Over one-third of an acre, expanded and updated in the 1980s, two solariums, close to schools and shops

Ready to redevelop in Richmond Hill

This South Richvale property is a buyer’s pick. The current home could be lived in, torn down or solidly renovated. The back lot is over 200 feet wide, so it might be worthwhile to check with the city on possible live/work rezoning.

Listing price: $899,000
Address: 40 Avenue Rd.
Intersection: Bathurst and Carrville
Age: 30 years old
Last Selling Price: $505,000
Lot: 54 by 407 feet
Days on the market: 63
Agent: Lahav Reznik
Special features: Open concept layout in the current house, with development or subdivision potential on rear lot