There’s a Van Morrison song called “I’d Love to Write Another Song”. It starts like this.

I’d love to write another song

But nothing seems to come

I’d love to write another song

To carry me along

Make some money, pay the bills

Keep me busy too

I’d love to write another love song

The song comes to mind as I list 515B Weber Street North for sale. It’s a property my wife and I have owned for about five years. I didn’t mean to buy it. I wasn’t looking for another investment property.

What happened was, we owned the property next door (515A Weber Street North) and I was in one weekend putting in a new living room floor. I’m pretty handy. I’ve learned a lot by being a homeowner. I’m the kind of person who likes to have reality conform to me (rather than me conform to it), so I’m constantly doing renovations and improvements. I’m also a property investor and landlord and since I’m a real estate agent with a flexible schedule I can do most of the work on my properties by myself. I have a list of electricians, plumbers, roofers, landscapers and various other connections that I call on for the important work. I do the grunt work. I’m the unskilled labourer.

Anyway, I was packing up from installing the new floor in A and the guy in B is walking out at the same time and he says…

“Hey, I’m moving out”.

And I say, “yeah”.

And he says, “Do you want to buy it?”

And I say, “Why would you ask me that?”

He says, “Well you’re obvious the landlord from next door and my uncle owns this one and he told me that he would sell it when I moved out.”

“Let’s have a look”, I said. It needed a lot of work, but the price was right, so after consulting with the missus, I bought it.

That was about five years ago.

I really like this complex. I never had any problem getting tenants. It’s a nice setting with lots of green space, a new playground and a swimming pool! The condo fees are low and the building is well constructed, the grounds well maintained. Every unit has parking for two cars and the location is great for a lot of things: Chapters/Starbucks (at Weber & King), University of Waterloo and WLU (down Albert), Blackberry, the Beer Store, the Conestoga Mall and the now being built Northfield Landing – a major LRT stop with offices and shopping – I should really hang on to this unit till this is built.

The unit itself is perfect for newlyweds, a small family, a couple of friends or a single person. As I was working on the unit over the last few weeks, getting it ready for sale, I kept thinking to myself, “I’d like to live here. It would be perfect for me. I’d put my exercise equipment in the basement. (It’s finished). I’d have my office in the front bedroom and the master bedroom is huge – big enough for loads of furniture, and it has two closets.

But alas, I’m married with children and won’t be able to enjoy the condo lifestyle for another decade or so.

This is a great unit. I hate to let it go. But back to the Van Morrison song, I have to make some money and pay some bills. It’s kept me busy, but I have new inspirations.

MLS#1325294

Where: 515B Weber Street North, Waterloo

Filed under: for sale by Keith Marshall
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Get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Raise your family in quiet and relaxing Wellesley. Just minutes from Kitchener Waterloo but a world away, you will have time to unwind on the drive home through the rolling country hills.

Just imagine living in a large custom-built home situated on an extra wide lot. This raised bungalow has space for your growing family, your hobbies or even your home-based business. You’ll love the large trees on the lot and the peaceful seclusion of the setting.

The tour begins at the large foyer leading up to the living room, where you’ll find space for large family gatherings. In the country-style kitchen, replete with wainscoting, pantry and more cupboard space than you’ll ever need, there’s a cozy dinette perfect for family breakfasts. Walk through the kitchen to a dining room with sliding glass doors opening onto a large deck.

Upstairs you’ll also find the bathroom with two sinks and a built in linen closet. The three upstairs bedrooms are all of a good size too. The bedrooms have new paint and carpet.

Raised bungalows have a lot more livable space in their lower levels than other styles of houses. Throughout the house, the extra large windows let in lots of natural light. This is especially true in the basement. In fact, with the big rooms and huge windows, you don’t feel like you’re in a basement at all.

At the bottom of the stairs, turn right into the warm and comfy family room dominated by a beautiful all brick wood-burning fireplace. (There is a chute from the garage to bring the firewood in – they thought of everything.)

Turn left into the recreation room. Depending on the size of your family, work situation and hobbies, a room this size can be used for almost anything. And there’s more. Off this recreation room are two more rooms. Currently being used as a exercise room and an office they could be used as bedrooms or a sewing room or whatever hobby you may enjoy.

There is a bathroom with a shower between the family room and the rec room.

Finally, the over-sized garage has plenty of room for two cars with lots of room left over for storage and an area for tinkering with machinery… There are is a lot of storage space in the garage and a workbench.

Book a showing today!

Filed under: for sale by Keith Marshall
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106 Udvari Crescent is the perfect home for your family in Beechwood Forest. Conveniently located for shopping at the Boardwalk, highway access and zoned for two great schools (Sandhills and St. Dominic Savio). Gleaming hardwood floors in the living room and dining room, walkout from dining room to the fenced yard, tasteful cabinetry and ceramic flooring in the kitchen and main floor bath. Upgraded oak railing leads us upstairs to the large family room, perfect for family time or a quiet movie room, three bedrooms and main bath. Double driveway, single garage, Central Air.

List Price: $334,900

MLS: 1321937

Other features: Fenced Yard, Auto-Garage Door/Remotes, Inside Entry (from Garage), Separate Dining Room, Family Room, Bathroom-Main Floor 2 Piece, Bathroom-Rough-In, Central Air, Central Vac Rough-In, Water Softener, Cold Room/Cellar.

Neighbourhood Demographic Information

The neighbourhood demographics feeding this school is a little more difficult to define that normally. Generally, the homes on the north side of Victoria Street represent a higher income bracket than those south of Victoria Street. The homes on the north side of Victoria street are much larger and this neighborhood is made up largely of business, financial, technical and health professionals aged 45-59. South of Victoria, the demographic is a little younger and does not enjoy such a high level of income.

Read more about this neighborhood and school here

Filed under: Around Kitchener Waterloo, for sale by Keith Marshall
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Royal LePage Grand Valley Realty has a new listing at 82 Sweet William Street in Kitchener. Alasdair and I will be holding the first Open House this Sunday March 10th 2:00-4:00pm.

The last house we listed in this neighborhood (284 Mountain Laurel) sold in about a month, proving one more time again that great houses, priced right sell fast (Rule #25).

This well maintained, open concept 2-storey home is conveniently located close to elementary schools, shopping and the expressway. Some of the features include: a spectacular hardwood floor in the living room, central air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom. It has an “unspoiled basement” with oversized windows. All appliances are included. Much of the house was recently painted. This house is in “mint condition”.

Open House 

Sunday, March 10th 2:00-4:00 pm.

The Facts

This house has 1535 square feet of living space (not including the basement).

82 Sweet William Street was build in 2004.

Listing price: $304,900

MLS# 1317087

Filed under: for sale by Keith Marshall
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We have a new listing at 284 Mountain Laurel Crescent, south of the expressway in the Activa / Williamsburg area of Kitchener. It’s close to shopping and now that the summer construction is completed over 7/8, easy access to the expressway and where ever you want to go (probably Cambridge, Mississauga or Toronto).

284 Mountain Laurel Crescent isn’t a massively big house, but it is big and the layout is excellent. The front entranceway opens up into a comfortable living room that actually seems a lot larger than it is, probably because the kitchen and dining area are open and up a half flight – you have a clear view of them and there is a ton of natural light flooding the room from the large windows. The living room – kitchen – dining area is a great space it’s not large but it’s nicely formed, like Belgium.

The ground level family room is also a great space, tucked away nicely just a few steps off the living room.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is on it’s own, separated from the three kids bedrooms by a half flight of stairs, and two bathrooms between. The master bedroom ensuite is huge, – like a dancehall. In my opinion, this is the best feature of the home. When you have kids, you really need your own space and a nice big master bedroom with ensuite is your private escape.

Mountain Laurel a nice street, not too busy. The house is located at the curve of the crescent so the backyard is pretty big. The deck is off the kitchen and it’s a good size too.

Please call 519.729.4116 or email me at keith@kwhomesandhouses.com if you’d like to view the home or if you have any questions.

MLS# 1314122

Listed at $360,000

Note: As a Realtor, I should know if this house is in Active or Williamsburg but with all these new neighborhood and district names, I’m not really sure where one neighborhood ends and the next one starts. Neighborhoods are important, not in name but in what they have to offer.

For the record, in my very own neighborhood I don’t know where Westmount ends and Uptown starts.

Filed under: for sale by Keith Marshall
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