Vancouver Sun February 19, 2011

Vancouver
3903 West 22nd Avenue

Type: detached
Size: 2,400 sq. ft, 4 bed, 1 bath
BC Assessment, 2011: $1.4436 million
Listed for: $1.86 million
Sold for: $1.85 million
Sold on: Dec 8
Days on market: 0
Listing agent: Walter Wells at Sutton Group -West Coast Realty
Buyers’ agent: Juliana Qu at Sutton Group -West Coast Realty

The big sell: How does a home sell on the day that it is listed with no sign and no showings? When it is being sold for land value only, that’s how. (The 49 ½-foot-wide, 122-foot-deep lot is big enough for a 4,000-square-foot residence.) According to listing agent Wells, this address reaped the benefit from its location in the desirable school catchment of Lord Kitchener – one of the highest rated schools in the city for which buyers are prepared to pay a premium – and current low levels of inventory. This particular home was built in 1927 and has had the same owner for the past 50 years who retained its original features. It is situated on a corner lot, close to UBC and Pacific Spirit Park.

Surrey
18993 68B Avenue

Type: detached
Size: 3,625 sq. ft, 7 bed, 4 bath
BC Assessment, 2011: $592,000
Listed for: $609,700
Sold for: $602,500
Sold on: Dec 20
Days on market: 119
Listing agent: Ben Gauer at Royal LePage Ben Gauer & Associates
Buyers agent: Ralph Janzen at Homelife Benchmark Realty Walnut Grove

The big sell: Corner lots are popular as they provide extra parking and, for the most part, additional light. This two-storey home with a basement is no exception -all occupants of the seven bedrooms, if necessary, could have space for their vehicles. This home is situated in Clayton Village and features high ceilings, upgraded appliances, quality laminate flooring, built-in speakers, maple wood stairs, three fireplaces, and a large 22-by-14-squarefoot master bedroom with sitting area and a five-piece ensuite. On the lower level there are more bedrooms, a den, a large kitchen island and roughed-in plumbing for a second laundry facility Adding to the convenience factor, all shopping, schools and parks are within a three-block radius.

Vancouver
2676 West Fifth Ave

Type: half duplex
Size: 2,142 sq. ft, 4 bed, 4 bath
BC Assessment, 2011: $1.359 million
Listed for: $1.395 million
Sold for: $1.37 million
Sold on: Dec 21
Days on market: 25
Listing agent: Tom Gradecak at Westside Tom Gradecak Realty
Buyers agent: Allyson Brooke at Macdonald Realty Ltd.

The big sell: Sometimes half duplexes present the opportunity to purchase a property in a sought-after location that is the same size as many detached family houses, but for a more affordable price. This four-year-old Kitsilano home offers more than 2,000 square feet with a main floor that features a living space that incorporates a kitchen, dining and eating area, and a family room that opens on to a south-facing deck and yard. The top floor has three bedrooms and two full bathrooms including the master ensuite, and the lower level contains a recreation room, a guest bedroom, a laundry room and another full bathroom. This property offers proximity to Fourth Avenue’s shops and restaurants.

Fernie
192 4A Avenue

Type: detached
Size: 3,068 sq. ft, 4 bed, 2 bath
BC Assessment, 2011: $608,000
Listed for: $599,900
Sold for: $590,000
Sold on: Jan 4
Days on market: 57
Listing agent: Todd Fyfe at Fernie Real Estate Company
Buyers agent: Sharon Taylor at RE/MAX Elk Valley Realty

The big sell: As one of the few properties that survived the fire that swept through the town more than 100 years ago, this property was touted as a piece of historic Fernie. The large family home is situated on a corner lot with views of the Elk River, Mount Fernie, Lizard Range and Three Sisters from two covered porches and a private lush back garden. The interior boasts compelling original features such as softwood flooring, a claw foot bathtub, cast iron radiators, bay windows, wood panelling in the dining room. Rooms are spacious, with a 10-foot-by-25-foot living room and a nine-by-19 kitchen.

Read more: Recent property sales in Vancouver, Surrey and Fernie