• 343 ALBANY AVE., TORONTO
• ASKING PRICE: $749,900
• SELLING PRICE: $886,000
• TAXES: $4,306 (2010)
• DAYS ON THE MARKET: six

The Action:

Earlier this spring, the small Tarragon Village community in the upper Annex had a few properties listed simultaneously, including this traditional red brick Edwardian.

343 ALBANY AVENUE

This drove up traffic at its agents-only and public open houses, which quickly prompted multiple buyers to draft a bid, agent Julie Kinnear says.

What They Got:

This 1,730-square-foot house from the 1930s was extensively modernized and personalized by the sellers, who filled it with both luxuries and essentials, including a new roof, wiring and cooling and energy-efficient heating systems.

On the main floor, there is a living room with French entry doors and stained glass windows, a central dining area and an eat-in kitchen revamped with a butcher block-topped island, antique pine floors and stainless steel appliances.

The rear sunroom features banquette seating, a wall of windows and stairs with access to the patio and lower level.

The 850-square-foot basement was recently redone to create a recreation room with pot lights, built-in speakers and a media unit, plus sliding doors to a stylish laundry room with storage, counters and heated porcelain floors.

On the second floor, the largest of three bedrooms – created by combining two original bedrooms – contains a walk-in closet, and a built-in desk and vanity.

Other assets include three bathrooms, a rare private driveway, new shed and perennial gardens.

The Agent's Take:

"It wasn't your average house because it was totally done and ready to go, but part of it was also that it had character," says Ms. Kinnear, who was especially fond of the lower level.

"The basement had been recently dug out and finished as a very modern, cool space. It was bright, light and open."