Abandoned-looking Toronto home still asking almost $1 million

Just when you think Toronto real estate is finally getting the reality check it needs, a listing like 12 Stanhope Ave. pops up to remind you that the delulu is alive and well.

This East York house first hit the market with a cool $1 million price tag. Because of course it did.

Now, after what we can only assume were a few reality-check showings, it's been trimmed to $889,888 — which might seem like a big drop, but this neighbourhood took a nose dive in property values, and now even liveable houses are only selling for about $885,000.

A bedroom. 

From the outside, the place gives strong "Is someone living here?" energy. It's not quite haunted Victorian core, but it's hovering in that liminal space between "heritage charm" and "we should probably check for raccoons."

Original moulding, hardwood floors, built-ins and fireplace. 

And yet, the listing leans hard into the romance. We're told this is a "charming home" in a peaceful, quiet neighbourhood with great access to city amenities.

Gum wood French doors. 

It highlights original architectural details, including gumwood French doors, a fireplace, stained-glass windows, and decorative ceiling mouldings. 

Leaded windows and gum wood trim. 

And those things do exist, but first, you do have to get past the layers of dust and dirt.

Inside, 12 Stanhope Ave. is a bit ... scary? There's faded, peeling wallpaper doing its best impression of shedding skin, rooms that look like they haven't met a paintbrush since the 1970s, and — truly — carpet in the bathroom.

The bathroom. 

Nothing says "spa-like retreat" quite like stepping out of the shower onto something that should never, ever be damp.

The view into the kitchen. 

The kitchen situation also deserves its own moment. Not only is it dated with flower power wallpaper, but there's just a lawnmower in there. As décor? As storage? As a subtle warning? Hard to say. 

One of two bedrooms. 

One of the more eyebrow-raising details: the home was previously being sold "as is," which is realtor code for "we are not emotionally or financially prepared to discuss what's wrong here." 

Original hardwood floors, questionable ceiling. 

Now it's no longer listed that way, which raises the obvious question — what changed? The house? Or just the wording?

A gum wood door leads into the dining room. 

To be fair, the location, despite plummeting property values, is decent.

Lots of natural sunlight. 

The property is within walking distance of the shops and restaurants along Danforth Avenue, plus there are parks with streams nearby for dog owners and nature lovers. Transit access is solid, too, with multiple bus routes and a relatively easy trip downtown. You're also close to practical life things like groceries.

The stairs. 

So yes, you'd be buying into a well-connected, livable pocket of the city. You're just also buying carpeted bathroom floors, mystery wear-and-tear, and a renovation budget that may or may not ruin your will to live.

Welcome to Toronto.