Property Overview & Key Characteristics
This 1998-built bi-level home at 233 McLean Street sits on a generous 5,383 sqft lot in Winnipeg's Varsity View neighbourhood. Its primary appeal lies in a balanced combination of space, location, and modern convenience. The home offers 1,020 sqft of living space with a finished basement, providing flexible room for a growing family, a home office, or recreational space. Key data points reveal its relative strengths: it's notably newer than most homes in its immediate area and boasts an assessed value that ranks well above average for the street and city-wide. The lack of a garage is a trade-off for the substantial lot size, which presents ample outdoor potential.
The property is well-suited for first-time buyers or small families looking for an established, low-maintenance home in a central academic community. Its above-average lot size for the area is a significant asset for those valuing private outdoor space or future expansion possibilities. A thoughtful perspective is that while the interior living space is modest, its high ranking for "newness" in the locale suggests fewer immediate major system updates compared to older character homes, offering a practical, move-in-ready foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the real advantages of a bi-level design?
Bi-level homes often provide excellent separation of living and sleeping areas, with common spaces on one floor and private bedrooms on another. The finished basement here adds significant functional square footage, creating a potential for a rec room, guest space, or separate living area.
2. The home ranks highly for being "new" (1998). What does this practically mean for a buyer?
Built 28 years ago, it sits in a sweet spot—it’s modern enough that major components like wiring, plumbing, and windows likely meet contemporary standards, potentially reducing surprise repair costs, yet it’s established within a mature neighbourhood with grown landscaping and settled foundations.
3. There's no garage. How big of a consideration is this?
This is a key factor to weigh. The large lot does offer potential for adding a garage or carport (subject to bylaws and permits), but that is an additional project and cost. Buyers should consider their need for vehicle storage versus their desire for the existing large outdoor space.
4. The living area ranks lower than its "newness" and value rankings. Does that mean the house is small?
At 1,020 sqft, the above-ground living space is functional but not expansive. The appeal is enhanced by the finished basement, which effectively doubles the usable space. This layout suits those who prioritize defined, efficient living areas over open-concept grandeur.
5. The assessed value is $386,000. How should a buyer interpret this?
The assessment is for municipal tax purposes and is a lagging indicator based on past market data. Its high relative ranking (top 38% in Winnipeg) indicates the property is viewed favourably by the assessor compared to others, but the final market price will be determined by current buyer demand, condition, and comparable recent sales.