We live in the modern age of fast lanes, instant messaging, and information overflow. Everything is built quickly and consumed fast to leave room for more. However, every once in a while, something happens that makes us stop and think about where we’re headed. But what if an opportunity like that comes along? For instance, when you hear someone’s selling their property, what’s the first thing that pops up in your mind? This story is about an extraordinary and two women and how we should never take anything for granted.
It looks normal on the outside, but it's a hole different story inside >>
Just Your Regular Toronto Home
The house you see in this picture is located at 148 Jane Street in Bloor West Village Toronto, Ontario. It looks like a nice two-story home with exposed-brick walls, large windows, a porch, and ample room for an average family. Bloor West Village is actually Toronto’s shopping district. The area encompasses everything between Ellis Park Road and South Kingsway and is made up of over 400 various service and retail stores and restaurants. It’s the residents’ go-to for buying everything—from food, household items, a cup of coffee, to anything you need on a daily basis.
The two sisters who made it happen >>
A Real Estate Sister Duet
Gladys and Carla Spizzirri are Toronto-based realtors who specialize in relocation, residential, rentals, vacant land, short sales, and similar real estate stuff. The usual price range of their listed properties varies greatly, as they’ve handled small and large projects in the past. They have also sold numerous properties in some of Toronto’s most sought-after neighborhoods such as Bloor West Village, Baby Point, Swansea, Old Mill, Sunnylea, The Kingsway, Etobicoke, Roncesvalles Village, and High Park. The Spizzirri sisters also work in the greater Toronto area like Mississauga, Caledon, Vaughan, and King City.
The sisters got a call one day that would late make them go viral
She Wasn't Sure
According to sources, it was Carla who was at the office when this faithful call came in sometime in 2014. The phone rang, she answered, and an old lady’s voice was heard on the other end. She said her name was Joyce and she's thinking about selling her property located at 148 Jane Street, Bloor West Village. The old lady didn’t sound too sure, as Carla later explained. It was more of an offer or better yet an opportunity. "Come and check it out and we will see where we go from there" was the bottom line, as Carla tells it.
The lady did not sound too eager to sell and then she revealed the age of the house.
Older Than Joyce
It turned out that this sweet old lady named Joyce is 96 years old. As the conversation went on, details about the house in question came out. There was no official info on the exact year the house was built, but Joyce said they did some home remodeling in 1965. She herself moved in when she was 24 back in 1942 during the Second World War. Canada was involved in many WWII battles. Probably the most famous one was the Battle of Dunkirk which took place on the 26th of May 1940. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, which was released in 2017, tells the story.
It was last updated 50 years ago. This was sounding worse by the minute.
72 Years Before The Call
It is hardly a stretch to imagine how Gladys reacted to all this when Carla passed on the info. You would think that a house that old, with 50 years since its last maintenance, must be dilapidated by now and in dire need of restoration. Gladys probably did not respond with enthusiasm as the sisters undoubtedly speculated the worst. This also explains the hesitant attitude of the 96-year-old Joyce. It must be that she doubts anyone would buy such a mess. After all, an old woman like her would probably not be able to keep up with house maintenance.
The sisters were undoubtedly speculating about this woman's true motives.
To Go Or Not To Go
It’s undoubtedly difficult to get to a decision based on a single phone call. One that offers vague and unrealistic info would rarely turn any heads normally. Most of us would probably think that it is some kind of hoax. Still, everyone is allowed to try and sell their belongings, no matter how much they're worth. Perhaps, the old lady was simply doing retirement planning and needed the funds. But taking a trip and answering every call with little hopes such as this can cost time and effort that can otherwise be spent on something profitable.
Did the real estate duo give in to their curiosity?
Expecting The Worst
Still, the sisters agreed to go and check out the house. It could be because of professional courtesy or perhaps an old house can be purchased cheap, renovated, and then sold for more. Someone might be looking for a real estate investment opportunity. Whatever the reason may be, Gladys and Carla were on their way to 148 Jane Street, Bloor West Village, Toronto. These old houses are called ‘older homes’ by real estate agents rather than used homes. Newer homes are much easier to work with, according to online data, for obvious reasons. While these older ones are quite tricky.
So, there are ways you can make an old estate worth something, probably. Every merchandise has its buyer, as they say.
Attractive Location
Any real estate investor would tell you that one good thing about all of this was the location of the house in question. We can guess that was probably what tipped the scales and made the sisters go. Besides tying the business districts of Ellis Park Road and South Kingsway, Bloor West Village also connects two neighborhoods—Runnymede and Swansea. Runnymede is known as a streetcar suburb while Swansea dates all the way back to the 19th century. The area also has access to subway lines, allowing shoppers easy access to downtown.
When the real estate sister duo went to 148 Jane Street, this is what they first noticed.
A Normal Home
The photo above is the photo of the actual house in question. What do you think when you look at it? Does it look like it's over a hundred years old? Definitely not! The exterior is at the very least decent, there are no visible cracks on the walls, the roof is not falling down on people or anything like that. These things are probably what people would expect from a home that was last updated in 1965. It certainly can’t be advertised as a luxury house for sale, but at the very least it won’t collapse if you close the door a bit louder than usual.
Gladys and Carla definitely felt safer at this moment so they decided to go on to the next step.
Seeing the Inside
Looks can be deceiving, as the saying goes. Gladys and Carla probably knew it was safe to take a peek inside this home. Buying a home is, as we all presume, a complicated and thorough process. Thus, it is logical that the sisters must first understand fully well what they’re working with. They must know this house inside and out, top to bottom, probably even better than its original owner. The usual advice found online about purchasing a house is, in fact, to look beyond the paint and the facade. Do not get tricked by the superficial, so they say.
Do not judge a book by its cover. The sisters knew their trade well and they were ready for a closer look.
Inspection Time
After deciding where to buy a home, the hard part is yet to come. If you check online for the most important things to check, most guides agree on the following: consider the paint job, measure each room’s temperature, decide in advance what your dealbreakers are, check the plumbing thoroughly, check the land, insulation, and a whole lot more. Considering a home involves so many things to tick off. That goes double when you are thinking of buying it. Gladys and Carla knocked on Joyce’s doors and it was time for a hands-on inspection.
The sisters were ready for whatever may lie behind the front door.
Nobody Could Predict This!
We hope you are sitting down because nobody in the history of selling and buying homes could ever prepare you for this. No mansion description can even compare to the shock Gladys and Carla faced when Joyce opened the door and let them in. It was paradise! The house was so immaculate and neat, it was like being in a dream. At this point, we are guessing the two realtors were pinching themselves rapidly. They were greeted by a tidy hallway decorated with light-toned printed wallpaper and decor reminiscent of another era.
The foyer was just an overture. Wait 'till you see what they saw inside.
A Spotless Presentation
Further inspection of the house revealed that it is every bit as impressive as its small foyer. Everything—from the wallpaper down to the furniture and decor—dated back to the ‘50s and ‘60s. It was like this house was frozen in time. This old home décor was matched only by the tidiness and orderly manner in which everything was presented. As the Spizzirri sisters later described it, the inside was spotless. There was not one speck of dust or stain to be found. Everything was just pristine. It was like they were warped into a time machine!
How would you react to something like this? Would you fall in love with this house immediately?
Is It a House or a Museum?
As the sisters went from room to room, the shock wouldn’t go away. They later described in detail how each and every part of this wondrous house made them feel. You couldn’t see this kind of home even among luxury real estate ads. Nobody remembers the '60s as this good. But, as Joyce later explained, the potential deal wouldn’t be for a furnished home. And she was still hesitant at that. As the sisters remember it, the owner’s attitude shifted even more towards a ‘no’ with each new room they inspected. This is understandable considering the beauty of it all.
Why was the decor in the '50s and '60s filled with vibrant colors and brightness? Click next to read about it.
The '50s and '60s Decor
Once WWII came to an end, there was a feeling of being reborn in most parts of the world. Everybody was ready for a fresh start and that certainly showed in terms of creativity and energy in various ways and parts of society. This upbeat mood was felt in every designer’s work during that era and it can be felt in Joyce’s house today. These years marked the introduction of new technology and even a whole new way of life for the people. The colors that made a mark on interior design from these years include green, turquoise, orange, and sun-yellow while there was an explosion of checkered and striped patterns.
What was the exact status of this home in terms of class and price range?
Stood in Awe
When Gladys and Carla later remembered this first impression they had, they kept repeating how they felt admiration for every detail, each wallpaper pattern, the colors used, and everything else. The color pink was often used in rooms along with floral patterns, like in the room on the picture above. Every room was also illuminated perfectly and had just the right type of curtains selected. When summed up, the advantages this home had elevated its status to a deluxe house which could also justify a higher price—and the sisters knew this.
This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, as the saying goes.
The Beginning
After this first inspection was finished, the sisters firmly decided that they will take the task of finding a buyer for Joyce’s home. The task for Gladys and Carla was at hand as they immediately began all the necessary paperwork. In phase two, a realtor usually gathers all the necessary schematics and the info on the house in question like the home insurance value and similar stuff. Everything can contribute to the pricing process and the sales representation of the estate. A good realtor is supposed to emphasize the pros but also must not neglect to mention the flaws that every home inevitably has.
Joyce seemed very intelligent and drove a hard bargain.
Was Joyce Driving the Price Up?
Some sources say that Joyce also had good house insurance already. This was apparently the first thing the sisters checked out after they inspected the premises. They were pleasantly surprised. This can possibly indicate that Joyce was conscious of her house’s worth. It might also explain her hesitant attitude despite being the one to place the call with the initial intent to sell. It might be a sales tactic from the start or she just might be too attached to this beautiful home. After all, she spent most of her life in this amazing abode.
Click next and read on how Joyce continued to put more weight on the deal.
Changing Her Plans
Pretty soon, Joyce’s reluctant attitude began to emerge even more. As the Spizzirri sisters later revealed, her attitude was gravitating towards a complete change of heart about the whole deal. This was understandable, though, given the beauty of the house and 72 years worth of memories it has witnessed. However, selling her beloved house was all part of her plan to move to a retirement home. With her age, she couldn’t risk living by herself anymore; let alone take care of the house the way she did up until now.
More bad news for the Spizzirri sisters ahead.
Joyce's Daughter Will Inherit the Furniture
Going further into their negotiations, Joyce revealed that she wishes to keep her stylish furnishings in the family and leave everything to her daughter. Preserved perfectly, these old classic pieces were elevated to an art form over the years and were virtually priceless. It was also understandable why Joyce would make such a decision. There are a lot of memories invested in the stuff as well as in the house. Since accommodations in senior living communities usually come furnished, she couldn’t take these prized pieces of furniture with her. And so, she decided to let her daughter inherit them.
What does the list of pros and cons look like for this home?
The Cons of the Deal
This decision to sell the house unfurnished changed the deal greatly as it naturally affects the price in more ways than one. Sure, the ‘50s and ‘60s collection are priceless. But even if it wasn’t, people do not always buy a home for the sole purpose of themselves living in it. Sometimes, it is a real estate investment. There are a lot of investors interested in putting the estate in question for rent immediately after the purchase. A furnished apartment or house typically commands a higher rent compared to unfurnished ones. If the party interested in renting needs to procure additional assets like couches and tables, they will naturally demand a lower rental fee.
The selling process was getting harder with every step as the sisters later revealed the struggles.
Pausing The Deal
Her hesitancy turned to reluctance. And with the lack of furnishings affecting the deal, the process of finding an interested party would be difficult. The Spizzirri sisters, as all realtors in the biz, need to maintain a serious reputation. They cannot afford to appear uncertain or hesitant when they deal with potential buyers, so they need to sort everything out with the estate in question prior to putting it up on the market. Joyce’s estate planning process was putting too much weight on the procedure, so the deal between them had to be paused until she makes up her mind completely.
Who was this woman? Is she simply negotiating or is she really uncertain about the whole thing?
A Little Bit About Joyce
As mentioned, Joyce was 92 years old at the time of the negotiations. Although in retirement, Joyce still pursued her passion which was sewing. Besides that, she was also into interior design which explained a lot about why her home looked like this. It was probably clear to the Spizzirri sisters that she wasn’t naïve and will drive a hard bargain. And she can rightfully do so. Nobody would or should part from their own home without having the perfect offer. She also needed to secure her family’s future as well as her own regardless of her age.
The old lady was certainly driving a hard bargain but she had every right to do so.
Finally, They Reached An Agreement
All that was happening during the initial stages of selling gave Gladys and Carla much grief, as they later explained. But, despite all that, the sisters were persistent and they waited for Joyce to come in terms with selling. They knew her financial planning in retirement was a big deal and they waited patiently for Joyce to come to a final decision. They finally reached an agreement and the house was ready for sale. Albeit unfurnished, it still had a semblance to the retro vibe that attracted the Spizzirri sisters.
Click next and read more about the details of this wondrous home.
Laundry Room Positioning
More details about this home reveal its incredibly convenient room positioning with the laundry room being in the basement along with a ‘man cave’, as the sisters later described. Over the past few decades, the laundry room position was changed and moved to different parts of the home. As a general rule, people usually place it in the garage, the basement, or in the kitchen, while some even used closets or other spacious rooms in the house. If someone were to build a new home, they could position their laundry room the way they see fit. But when purchasing an already built house, considering how the rooms are organized is important.
What was the husband's man cave like?
The Man Cave
Besides the laundry room, the basement also had an incredibly well-designed interior with a fireplace and wood panels. According to Joyce, it was used by her husband as his getaway space, his private corner, or a ‘man cave’ if you will. It could be used for the same purpose or it makes up for an ideal spot for a cinema room which is a very popular amenity these days. Most of the celebrities' cool mansions have a home cinema or theater rooms. It’s a place where you install a high-tech screening system and bring family or friends in for a comfortable night of watching movies and enjoying snacks.
It was later revealed that this home had multiple baths.
A Perfect Bathroom
This lovely home had two bathrooms—one upstairs with other rooms and one in the basement to complement the husband’s man cave. It adds to the convenient nature and the ideal positioning of the rooms in this home. The placing of the laundry room and the bathroom in the basement is also a good way to deal with unpleasant smells and the overall humidity in the house. According to general info on how to keep your home in a perfect condition, humidity in the basement should be kept under 50% to prevent mold growth. Also, this room positioning keeps potential water damage to your home minimal.
This home has a master bedroom ideal for a double bed. Click next to see how it looks like.
A Stunning Bedroom
The master bedroom in Joyce’s house is among the largest rooms. It's wide and spacious and can easily fit a double bed plus some storage space for clothes and whatnots. Contrary to the rest of the house, the master bedroom's walls did not have any patterned wallpapers and were instead painted with a mild lavender color. The purple carpet has the strongest color, overall. It also had good natural and artificial lighting, as you can see in the photo above, and had ample room for both sides of the double bed.
Anything else about this home we should know about, Joyce?
It Even Has a Garden!
If you thought that the wonders of this home only existed indoors, its spacious backyard revealed a splash of green color, flowers, and even a small shed. According to info gathered later, Joyce’s garden had an Astroturf lawn which was also popular in the ‘50s and ‘60s. For those who never heard of the name, Astroturf lawn means it is artificial grass. It naturally doesn’t require mowing, watering, weeding, and fertilizing. It being low maintenance makes it very convenient for elderly owners. Also, its cost and upkeep are far from anything that will break the bank.
So, what was the final price when the deal was done?
The Final Price Was $699K
With all things considered—all the pros, cons, and overall value of this home, the sisters agreed on $699K. According to web sources, despite its high asking price, this home attracted an incredible number of interested parties right away and was sold soon after. The price tag of $699K was a suitable retirement fund for Joyce and a fair price for this impeccable home. Even if it's unfurnished, it was in mint condition with convenient room positioning and was located in a highly desired part of Toronto. The Spizzirri sisters undoubtedly had a nice commission and everybody came out happy from this deal. A job well done!