An Abandoned Toronto Home Transforms Into a Turnkey Treasure

As part of Scott McGillivray’s $105K-renovation budget, this compact, red-brick bungalow got all new windows, doors and landscaping. While the façade certainly is charming, it’s what’s inside that really makes us swoon.

Video: Missed this full episode of Buyers Bootcamp? Catch up here.

Making the most out of limited square footage, Scott installed white floor-to-ceiling storage units in the dining area, as well as a sweet storage bench as part of the dining set.

Read more: 10 Signs a Fixer Upper Isn’t Worth Saving, According to Scott McGillivray

Keeping it clean and simple, the kitchen uses a neutral palette of white and grey. The white quartz countertops and retro over-island pendant lamps visually break up the dove-grey upper and lower cabinets to balance out the compact cooking space.

To give you an idea of the state of the house when Scott agreed to take it on in Buyers Bootcamp, this is what the kitchen looked like. Be grateful you didn’t have to smell it like he did.

The new stainless-steel appliances, deep sink and classic shaker cabinets are exactly what this (now) modern kitchen needed to get it presentable for the Canadian real-estate market.

The master bedroom utilizes a graphic chevron-patterned wallpaper in a neutral tone to draw the eye to the largest wall in the room, while the gorgeous watercolour-print throw pillows add depth and interest to the bed.

The only main-floor bathroom was so small that Scott and brothers Matt, Jason and Braydon couldn’t fit in it at once. With some creative rejigging and modern design features, it’s now feels spacious and spa-like.

One of the main reasons Scott decided to invest in this bungalow was that it had a basement apartment with its own side entrance and walk-out to the backyard, which instantly doubles the property’s rental capabilities.

Scott was able to add a full-sized kitchen to the basement apartment, as well as a dinette with a useful built-in storage bench. Having a house with a basement now as complete as this one is real-estate gold – it also helped to bump up the appraised price to $895K.

As a bonus in the basement, Scott and the three brothers were able to squeeze in an attractive office space, making this separate underground apartment that much more appealing. (The bright, lemon-yellow paint helps too.)

The main bedroom in the basement apartment features a cool, retro wall installation – think of it as artwork that comes with the house. The faux-fur bedspread and geometric throw pillows help play into that funky, throwback vibe.