284 St. Helens Ave., No. 136, Toronto
Asking price: $165,000
Selling price: $170,000
Taxes: $994 (2009)
Days on the market: 13
Listing agent: Nutan Brown, Royal LePage West Realty Group Ltd.
Before many house hunters could check out this studio - one of 64 live/work lofts within the Bloorline Lofts - one buyer quickly sent a bully offer to agent Nutan Brown.
"The building itself is a real gem," says Ms. Brown, who has sold several units in the former mattress factory since it was converted into a condominium residence about six years ago. "It's a great location and it's a great building."
Unlike conventional suites, this 368-square-foot unit has the benefit of 10-foot ceilings, exposed ductwork, beams and brick work, plus a street-level entrance. "There are no stairs and no elevators … so it's like walking into a home," the agent says.
Tile flooring was installed in the three-piece bathroom, while laminate appears everywhere else, from a laundry room with built-in shelves to a kitchen with halogen lights and a breakfast bar overlooking the living and dining area.
"It had a lot of things that a small space typically may not have," Ms. Brown says. "It felt larger than it was because of the ceiling heights, and the natural light is great."
The monthly fee of $155 includes heating, water and cable costs.
Parking is not included, but the subway and Bloor Street shops are five minutes away on foot.