• 50 South Kingsway
• Asking price: $515,000
• Selling price: $511,000
• Taxes: $2,866 (2007)
• Days on market: 16
• Listing and co-op agent: Julie Kinnear, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

This 1-1/2-storey house may be small, but it's big on style — it's been featured on the renovation shows Designer Guys and Designer Superstar Challenge, agent Julie Kinnear says.

Within the past three years, the seller transformed the 1,585-square-foot home inside and out, doing everything from upgrading the mechanics to remodelling the principal room and putting an addition on the back.

"They made good use of a small space," Ms. Kinnear says. "It was like a showpiece."

The front door leads into an open-concept space containing the kitchen, living room and dining room with oak hardwood floors, halogen lights and a staircase with a glass partition wall.

A custom maple breakfast bar, built-in appliances, and black granite countertops complete the cooking area.

The home's two bedrooms are upstairs.

Across the rear is a "glamorous" laundry/mudroom with several windows, built-in shelves and access to a new L-shaped deck, Ms. Kinnear says. There's also an adjacent office with a second entrance cleverly hidden off the dining area.

"[The owners] had a big huge door that was also a mirror in the dining room to make it [look] bigger," she says. "You had no idea there was another room beyond it. It was really cool."

The main bathroom completes this level.

There is a three-piece bathroom in the basement. It also includes a recreation room with a wet bar, ceramic flooring and exposed-beamed ceiling.

Exterior changes include new front and back doors, insulated windows and professional landscaping, as well as motion-sensor lighting for the driveway, and new roofing on the house and detached garage.

• 9 Windermere Ave., Townhouse no. 102
• Asking price: $359,000
• Selling price: $375,000
• Taxes: $2,516 (2008)
• Days on market: 8
• Listing and co-op agent: Julie Kinnear, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

It can take up to two months to sell stacked condominium townhouses at the new Windermere by the Lake development in Swansea, agent Julie Kinnear says.

But it only took days to sell this rare three-storey model, which is one of 10 corner units, and one of only two such homes with a walkout to a private patio and green space.

"This one was very unique because it had a walkout deck on the main level," whereas other units only have rooftop decks on the third floor, Ms. Kinnear says. "It was like you had a huge yard to yourself. It was amazing."

The rooftop space for this unit is a 193-square-foot wraparound deck with a barbecue outlet and views to the north, south and east.

Another highlight is a street-level entrance, which has stairs leading up to the main floor of the more than 1,000-square-foot unit.

The open living room features built-in bookshelves and windows on two sides. Along one wall is the kitchen and dining area with a breakfast bar in between. Upgraded hardwood floors, appliances and a three-piece bathroom finish the space.

The second level houses two bedrooms with broadloom and a full bathroom, while the third floor has a laundry closet.

The unit comes with underground parking. The monthly fee of $377 does not include heat or hydro.

Residents have access to an indoor pool, gym and recreation room.

There are parks in every direction, including High Park, as well as shops, bakeries, and cafés on Bloor Street. The unit is close to 24-hour streetcar service, as well as the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard.

• 456 College st., No. 401
• Asking price: $229,900
• Selling price: $260,000
• Taxes: $1,424 (2007)
• Days on market: 7
• Listing and co-op agent: Julie Kinnear, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

In a unique, boutique-style condominium at the corner of College and Bathurst streets, this one-bedroom suite with den was so tempting at a listed price of $229,900 that 16 parties submitted bids, according to agent Julie Kinnear. It sold at a premium of $30,100.

"It was a good location, it showed well and it was well-priced," she says.

The 679-square-foot suite is close to public transit, shops and businesses, as well as vibrant neighbourhoods such as Little Italy, Kensington Market and the Annex.

The building, which was converted from a church about two decades ago, offers residents a gym, recreation room and rooftop patio. "They're renovating the hallways and common areas right now, so it's actually going to be even nicer," the agent adds.

Within the past few years, the four-piece bathroom was renovated, new hardwood flooring was installed in the combined living and dining room, and counters and appliances were updated in the kitchen. The den was closed off from the master suite, French doors were installed between it and the principal room, and extra soundproofing was added. "So it was a little more private if you had guests," the agent says.

From the suite, there are views of the CN Tower and downtown skyline.

The home also has a laundry facility.

Included with the unit is a deep parking spot with room for bike storage. The monthly fee of $432 covers water, heating, cable, common-area maintenance and night security.

• 70 High Park Ave., No. 1905
• Asking price: $299,900
• Selling price: $301,500
• Taxes: $2,072 (2007)
• Days on market: 17
• Listing and co-op agent: Julie Kinnear, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

This corner suite one floor below the top of a two-year-old condominium north of High Park is - at 585 square feet - smaller than most penthouses, agent Julie Kinnear says, but the one-bedroom unit with a den is "nice and practical," she adds, and sold at a good price for its size.

The 19th-floor suite has several "bonuses," the agent says, citing the unobstructed views it affords to the north and west, gas hookups on its two balconies, nine-foot ceilings and hardwood floors.

Large windows allow plenty of natural light into the eat-in kitchen, which was upgraded with granite countertops, maple cabinetry, ceramic floors and stainless-steel appliances. "It has all the things people like," the agent adds.

The balconies are situated off the combined living and dining room and the bedroom. The latter is broadloomed, and has a walk-in closet and laundry facility. The four-piece bathroom is in the hall.

Parking and a locker are included. A monthly fee of $302 covers water and heating.

Residents have access to a gym, theatre, games room and a recreation room with a fireplace. Pets are permitted.

The building is ideally situated near parkland, the subway and the Bloor West Village shopping district. "It's a fabulous location," Ms. Kinnear says.

• 104 Parkmount Rd.
• Asking price: $399,900
• Selling price: $486,100
• Taxes: $2,432 (2007)
• Days on market: 7
• Listing and co-op agent: Julie Kinnear, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

Much was done in recent years to improve this roughly 80-year-old, semi-detached residence in Danforth Village, according to agent Julie Kinnear, but the efforts paid off when it sold quickly at a premium of $86,200.

"It showed beautifully," she says of the 1,200-square-foot, three-bedroom house. "It was renovated a few years ago, so it was very appealing."

Among the improvements: The kitchen and both of the bathrooms were renovated; new thermal-pane windows, a forced-air gas furnace and air-conditioning system were installed; and the wiring and plumbing were updated.

Off the foyer, there is an open-concept living and dining room with a fireplace, pot lights and hardwood flooring that extends throughout.

The eat-in kitchen features ceramic flooring, crown mouldings, and stainless-steel appliances. Sliding glass doors lead to a deck overlooking the backyard, which has new fencing.

On the second floor are the main bathroom and three bedrooms, including the master suite with a fireplace and bow window.

The professionally finished lower level includes an office, full bathroom, and recreation room with built-in shelves and above-grade windows. The ceilings are between seven and eight feet, Ms. Kinnear points out.

A mutual driveway accommodates one car. It's a short walk to the subway station, shops and restaurants, as well as schools, recreational facilities and Monarch Park.

"It's in an up-and-coming area, right down the street from the park," Ms. Kinnear says. "It's good for kids."