642 Stella Avenue

Property Overview

642 Stella Avenue is a one-and-three-quarter storey home built in 1907, offering 968 square feet of living space on a 3,682 square foot lot in Winnipeg's Dufferin neighbourhood. It features a basement that has not been renovated and does not include a garage or pool. The home last sold in June 2017 for $100,000.

Section 1: Key Characteristics & Appeal

This property presents a straightforward, no-frills opportunity in a central neighbourhood. Its key appeal lies in its position as a modestly-sized, century-old character home that is very typical for its immediate area. When compared to other homes on Stella Avenue and in Dufferin, it ranks consistently around the average for living area, lot size, year built, and assessed value. This indicates a stable, established setting without extreme outliers.

The home would suit a specific type of buyer: a hands-on purchaser looking for an affordable entry point into homeownership, willing to take on a project over time. It’s also a potential fit for an investor seeking a rental property with a lower initial investment. The very low assessed value, especially when viewed against the city-wide average, highlights its status as a value-priced asset rather than a modernized turn-key home. A less obvious perspective is that its "averageness" within the local context can be a strength—it suggests the property is unlikely to be over-improved for the area, allowing for renovations that align with neighbourhood norms without overcapitalizing.

Section 2: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the assessed value so much lower than the city-wide average?
Assessed value is for municipal tax purposes and is not market value. This significant difference primarily reflects the home's age, size, and condition relative to the broader Winnipeg market, which includes many newer and larger properties.

2. What does "one & 3/4 storey" mean for the layout?
This is a common architectural style for homes of this era. It typically means the second floor has full-height ceilings only in the center of the house, with sloping eaves creating smaller, cozier spaces or knee walls along the sides. The total living area is accounted for in the 968 sqft figure.

3. Is the basement usable in its current state?
The listing notes the basement is "not renovated." Buyers should anticipate it being in a rough, unfinished state suitable primarily for storage or mechanical systems, with potential for future development subject to moisture checks and necessary upgrades.

4. How does the 2017 sale price relate to today's value?
The 2017 sale price is historical data. Current market value will be determined by present market conditions, any changes made to the property since then, and its condition at the time of listing.

5. What are the implications of not having a garage?
Parking will be limited to on-street or a potential driveway if one exists. This is a common feature in the neighbourhood but is a practical consideration for vehicle storage and winter convenience.