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This mysterious Queen West estate is back on sale for $4 million

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Set back from busy Queen West street, this stately two-storey home has become somewhat of an anomaly among the towering condo buildings, businesses, and coffee shops.

Built in 1847, this lovely Georgian gem was the former home of a prosperous brewer, John Farr, who established the second brewery in the old town of York.

In 1922, 905 Queen St. W was designated as a heritage home by Toronto City Council when they dubbed it a “handsome, well-proportioned house” and deemed it worthy of preservation.905 Queen Street West Toronto

A sitting room.

And the house, situated right across the street from Trinity Bellwoods, has remained both handsome and well-proportioned ever since.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

One of the bathrooms.

905 Queen St. W is a two-bedroom, four-bathroom home with several offices and workspaces located throughout.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

A conference room in the basement.

Fun fact: the home is zoned for both commercial and residential use, so it could really become anything – except a condo, thanks to it’s heritage status.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The main landing.

And while the interior has often been a mystery to passersby, this isn’t the first time we’ve gotten a glimpse inside the landmark residence.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The kitchen.

The home was listed for sale twice back in 2021 for $5.5 million.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

 The home boasts 10-foot ceilings and over 3,300 square feet of living space.

But, despite receiving multiple offers, the owner decided to let the listing expire, as they weren’t comfortable with people entering the home during the height of the pandemic.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The primary bedroom with herringbone hardwood floors.

The home was then relisted in November last year for $4,998,000 with an extra bedroom and bathroom, but sat on the market for seven months and again didn’t sell.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

A sitting room.

So the bigger mystery is why isn’t this house selling?

905 Queen Street West Toronto

Original details like pocket doors and a built-in bookcase make this home special.

We thought it would be an easy sell given the house’s location, the charming and well preserved interior, and just generally the Toronto real estate market.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The office with a fireplace.

But apparently, even with everything going for it, the home is struggling to sell, and now the price has been dropped yet again.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The front entrance.

905 Queen St. W was just listed for $4,098,000 – a drop of almost $1.5 million compared to 2021.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The library.

Realtor Kevin Crigger told blogTO they’ve had a lot of activity and a great deal of interest in the property, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been the right kind attention.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

A cozy sitting area.

“We’ve had a number of people who have really grand vision for a restaurant space with a patio but it isn’t practical. We’ve also had lots of developers interested but it’s not a development opportunity,” he explained.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

Another office space.

“So because it’s not a traditional condo, or a residential house, or a development opportunity, it will take us some time to find the right buyer.”

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The main floor with stunning details throughout.

And while it might not be a development opportunity, Crigger ensures this house is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The kitchen has stone counters and built-in appliances.

“It’s an incredibly rare property and truly one-of-a-kind,” he said, mentioning the dual residential and commercial zoning, the amazing design work of award-winning New York Brian McCarthy, as well as the incredible charm and unique materials in the home. 905 Queen Street West Toronto

The library and office with French doors and built-in bookcases.

For example, he told blogTO that the library is made completely out of reclaimed wood.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The dining room.

“The interior was gutted to the studs and built out with an unbelievable vision and with a respectful design that highlights the home when it was at its greatest.”

905 Queen Street West Toronto

Crown moulding and windows that overlook the garden.

So while the home may be taking its sweet time to sell, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

905 Queen Street West Toronto

The front garden just steps from Trinity Bellwoods.

As the saying goes, “Good things take time.” And for a house like this, finding the right seller is like Prince Charming searching for his Cinderella – the fit needs to be perfect.

 

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Greater Toronto home sales jump in October after Bank of Canada rate cuts: board

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TORONTO – The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says home sales in October surged as buyers continued moving off the sidelines amid lower interest rates.

The board said 6,658 homes changed hands last month in the Greater Toronto Area, up 44.4 per cent compared with 4,611 in the same month last year. Sales were up 14 per cent from September on a seasonally adjusted basis.

The average selling price was up 1.1 per cent compared with a year earlier at $1,135,215. The composite benchmark price, meant to represent the typical home, was down 3.3 per cent year-over-year.

“While we are still early in the Bank of Canada’s rate cutting cycle, it definitely does appear that an increasing number of buyers moved off the sidelines and back into the marketplace in October,” said TRREB president Jennifer Pearce in a news release.

“The positive affordability picture brought about by lower borrowing costs and relatively flat home prices prompted this improvement in market activity.”

The Bank of Canada has slashed its key interest rate four times since June, including a half-percentage point cut on Oct. 23. The rate now stands at 3.75 per cent, down from the high of five per cent that deterred many would-be buyers from the housing market.

New listings last month totalled 15,328, up 4.3 per cent from a year earlier.

In the City of Toronto, there were 2,509 sales last month, a 37.6 per cent jump from October 2023. Throughout the rest of the GTA, home sales rose 48.9 per cent to 4,149.

The sales uptick is encouraging, said Cameron Forbes, general manager and broker for Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc., who added the figures for October were stronger than he anticipated.

“I thought they’d be up for sure, but not necessarily that much,” said Forbes.

“Obviously, the 50 basis points was certainly a great move in the right direction. I just thought it would take more to get things going.”

He said it shows confidence in the market is returning faster than expected, especially among existing homeowners looking for a new property.

“The average consumer who’s employed and may have been able to get some increases in their wages over the last little bit to make up some ground with inflation, I think they’re confident, so they’re looking in the market.

“The conditions are nice because you’ve got a little more time, you’ve got more choice, you’ve got fewer other buyers to compete against.”

All property types saw more sales in October compared with a year ago throughout the GTA.

Townhouses led the surge with 56.8 per cent more sales, followed by detached homes at 46.6 per cent and semi-detached homes at 44 per cent. There were 33.4 per cent more condos that changed hands year-over-year.

“Market conditions did tighten in October, but there is still a lot of inventory and therefore choice for homebuyers,” said TRREB chief market analyst Jason Mercer.

“This choice will keep home price growth moderate over the next few months. However, as inventory is absorbed and home construction continues to lag population growth, selling price growth will accelerate, likely as we move through the spring of 2025.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Homelessness: Tiny home village to open next week in Halifax suburb

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HALIFAX – A village of tiny homes is set to open next month in a Halifax suburb, the latest project by the provincial government to address homelessness.

Located in Lower Sackville, N.S., the tiny home community will house up to 34 people when the first 26 units open Nov. 4.

Another 35 people are scheduled to move in when construction on another 29 units should be complete in December, under a partnership between the province, the Halifax Regional Municipality, United Way Halifax, The Shaw Group and Dexter Construction.

The province invested $9.4 million to build the village and will contribute $935,000 annually for operating costs.

Residents have been chosen from a list of people experiencing homelessness maintained by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia.

They will pay rent that is tied to their income for a unit that is fully furnished with a private bathroom, shower and a kitchen equipped with a cooktop, small fridge and microwave.

The Atlantic Community Shelters Society will also provide support to residents, ranging from counselling and mental health supports to employment and educational services.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Here are some facts about British Columbia’s housing market

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Housing affordability is a key issue in the provincial election campaign in British Columbia, particularly in major centres.

Here are some statistics about housing in B.C. from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2024 Rental Market Report, issued in January, and the B.C. Real Estate Association’s August 2024 report.

Average residential home price in B.C.: $938,500

Average price in greater Vancouver (2024 year to date): $1,304,438

Average price in greater Victoria (2024 year to date): $979,103

Average price in the Okanagan (2024 year to date): $748,015

Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Vancouver: $2,181

Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Victoria: $1,839

Average two-bedroom purpose-built rental in Canada: $1,359

Rental vacancy rate in Vancouver: 0.9 per cent

How much more do new renters in Vancouver pay compared with renters who have occupied their home for at least a year: 27 per cent

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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