When I first saw this house on the solds list, the first thing that came to mind (besides the fact that I haven't posted a High Park house in a long time) was...

This house at 338 Margueretta Street in Bloordale...

It's totally the same house, right!?!  Just without a third floor!

The Margueretta house was 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom on a 20.5 x 110 foot lot that needed a bit of work.  It was listed at $599,900.  It sold in May for $718,000.

This is a 7 bedroom (holy sh*t!), 2 bathroom (ummm) house on a 40 x 200 foot lot that extends to 75 feet at the back.  It is a HUGE 'L' shaped lot!!!

It's not in as much need of touch ups as the Margueretta house but it is still tired.  For me, I would want to do a lot of work.

Firstly, that front door and the window.  But they are good indicators of what is going on inside.

Basically, it is a move in ready house that is dated but has been staged like crazy!

The people who bought this dresser....

 Are NOT the same people who bought this side table (not that I am saying I like it!)...

Or put these stick orbs on the mantle...

This overstaging makes me feel like this is a good house, but how tired was it before.  And does that mean that it hasn't been taken care of?

Actually, this house looks like it has been very well taken care of.  It's just tired and dated.

But it has a huge lot, a huge deck, and a Big Green Egg (wonder if they threw that in!).

I am not really sure what the purpose of the 'L' shaped lot is, but if I bought this, I think I would try to sell it back to the neighbours.  Would you pay $200,000 to have your land back so that you can spend another $50,000+ (no idea how much a garage costs) to build a garage?

Maybe.

This house was listed at $1,499,000.

It's a good house with a great lot and just steps to Bloor West and the Junction.

But that seems like a LOT.

It sold...

For $1,652,000.

(minus a potential $200,000 for the garage lot).

Maybe the price for 161 High Park Avenue wasn't so crazy after all!

photos via

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