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Main Street House Price Comparisons - Property Sales in Main Street, Vancouver

By Nicola Way - Special to the Sun. © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun


SOUTH SLOPE SPECIAL SPARKS MULTIPLE OFFERS

Vancouver

7585 Main Street

Type: Detached, 5 bed, 3 bath

Size: 2,250 sq. ft.

BC Assessment, July, 2009: $644,000

Listed for: $709,000

Sold for: $720,000

Sold on: March 1

Days on market: 5

Listing agent: Alvin Law at Royal Pacific Riverside Realty

Buyers agent: Jerry Chan at Sutton Group - West Coast Realty

The big sell: Good example of a Vancouver Special with three bedrooms up and two in a full suite on the ground floor. Vancouver Specials on the south slope of Main Street are easily recognizable with balconies across the front of the house and low-pitched roofs. Sensible updates for this property included new laminate hardwood, carpets and floor tiles. No excuse to be late for school as Langara College is just minutes away plus a chance to emulate Phil Mickelson's recent Masters triumph by teeing off at Langara Golf Course next door. Multiple offers ensued with a tempting zoning category allowing duplexes.


HUGE INTEREST DRIVES SALE PRICE FAR ABOVE ASKING

Vancouver

363 East 30th Avenue

Type: 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom, detached

Size: 2,058 sq. ft.

BC Assessment, July, 2009: $787,000

Listed for: $869,000

Sold for: $925,000

Sold on: April 18

Days on market: 23/p>

Listing agent: Jim Chang at RE/MAX Central Realty

Buyers agent: Philip Watkinson at RE/MAX Crest Realty (Westside)

The big sell: Just how do you generate more than 120 people at the first open house, receive multiple offers and sell at an impressive $56,000 over asking? No mean feat in any market, and of course the in-demand Main Street location of this three-level home does help. But additional factors included a two-bedroom ground-floor suite (in this case currently tenanted for $1,200 per month), expansive windows throughout the main floor with extensive use of feature glass brick tiles, a sunken living and dining area to create a spacious entertainment area, a master bedroom retreat complete with Jacuzzi tub and french doors leading to a wraparound balcony. Favourable updates since the house was built in 1990 included a hot water boiler system and a new deck.


CHARACTER HOME A CLASSIC INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Vancouver

2825 Ontario Street

Type: 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, detached

Size: 2,089 sq. ft.

BC Assessment, July, 2009: $570,000

Listed for: $699,900

Sold for: $750,000

Sold on: May 3

Days on market: 5

Listing agent: Ben Chimes at RE/MAX Crest Realty Westside

Buyers agent: Ben Chimes at RE/MAX Crest Realty Westside

The big sell: This character home, set up as a duplex on one of the stellar "province" streets between Cambie and Main, has plenty of potential. Both two-bedroom suites have their own laundry facilities and separate hydro meters, with the larger suite offering a spacious 1,320 square feet and occupying the main and upper floors. City-approved updates were undertaken in 2005, with plumbing and electrics completed to code. The lower floor was completely redone at the same time and the main floor had two new bathrooms fitted. Plenty of room in the southwest-facing back yard for all occupants with three patios providing space for rest and relaxation. A classic investment property or reno project for the handyperson and easy to live in/rent out with the Canada Line, Main Street and Broadway just around the corner.


STUDIO RENOVATIONS A HIT WITH SALE IN THREE DAYS

Vancouver

208 - 350 East 5th Avenue

Type: 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment

Size: 488 sq.ft.

BC Assessment, July, 2009: $167,600

Listed for: $228,000

Sold for: $218,000

Sold on: July 8

Days on market: 3

Listing agent: Karin Morris at Royal LePage Northshore

Buyers agent: Connie Buna at Sutton Group - West Coast Realty

The big sell: This studio apartment proves that small can be beautiful. Over the course of a nine-year ownership, the seller transformed this unit by removing kitchen and bedroom walls, and creating an efficient open-plan concept with custom cabinetry, new appliances, a corner gas fireplace and wool carpeting. Further attributes include a southfacing balcony with a quiet, treed and landscaped outlook, same-floor laundry facilities, a bike room, storage, parking, and low monthly maintenance fees. It is in the sought-after neighbourhood of SOMA (South Main), with the new Mount Pleasant Community Centre, coffee shops, restaurants, shopping and transportation on its doorstep.


MAIN STREET HOME SELLS IN 10 DAYS

Vancouver

229 East 23rd Avenue

Type: 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom detached

Size: 2,171 sq.ft.

BC Assessment, 2011: $721,800

Listed for: $799,000

Sold for: $825,500

Sold on: Nov. 22

Days on market: 10

Listing agent: Lailey Wallace at One Percent Realty Ltd.

Buyers agent: Raquel Green at RE/MAX Home Advantage

The big sell: Judging by the fact that this home sold over the asking price after the first open house, the Main Street corridor is as popular as ever. The selling points of this property, other than its location next to shops and restaurants? It is an updated three-bedroom character house that still retains many of its original 1910 features, with a two-bedroom basement suite that has new laminate floors and a separate laundry room. The home has double-glazed windows, new gutters, fresh paintwork, refurbished hardwood floors, an upgraded family-style kitchen, a large 17-by-11-foot living room, an entrance hall, a master bedroom with full bathroom, a fenced back yard and mountain views.



These transactions were compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com and AssignmentsCanada.ca