291 Magnus Avenue – Property Summary
Key Characteristics & Buyer Profile
This is a 1,440 sqft home on a 2,730 sqft lot, built in 1885, located in the William Whyte neighbourhood of Winnipeg. Its assessment value is $168,000.
Where the appeal lies: The living space is genuinely generous for the area. On Magnus Avenue, this home ranks in the top 10% for living area, and within William Whyte, it lands in the top 20%. That means you get noticeably more interior room than most nearby houses. The assessed value sits around the middle of the street and neighbourhood, but it’s well below the citywide average for comparable homes ($390,100 vs. $168,000). That gap hints at a property that may be undervalued relative to its size, though the older construction year (1885 – bottom 1% citywide) and smaller lot explain part of the difference.
What’s less obvious: The home is old, but not unusually old for its immediate street—many houses on Magnus Avenue are from the late 1800s or early 1900s. So while it’s a clear outlier compared to newer suburban homes, it’s not an anomaly in this pocket of William Whyte. The lot size (2,730 sqft) is smaller than the street and neighbourhood averages, which could matter if you’re hoping for a large yard or future expansion. However, the compact lot with a larger house means less outdoor maintenance and more usable indoor square footage per dollar.
Who it would suit: A buyer who values interior space over land, doesn’t mind a fixer-upper or historic character, and is comfortable in an older urban neighbourhood where renovation potential is real. It could work well for someone looking to get more square footage at a lower entry price than the citywide market offers, or for an investor targeting a property with size that stands out in its local area. It’s less suited to someone seeking a move-in-ready modern home, a large private lot, or a newer build.
Five Possible FAQs
1. How does the living area compare to other homes in the area?
It’s significantly larger than the average on Magnus Avenue (1,017 sqft) and in William Whyte (1,158 sqft). Citywide, 1,440 sqft is around average for comparable homes, but locally it ranks in the top 10–20%, so you’re getting a rare amount of interior space for this street and neighbourhood.
2. Why is the assessed value so much lower than the citywide average?
The citywide average ($390,100) includes homes across all neighbourhoods, many of which are newer, in higher-demand areas, or on larger lots. This property is in an older, more modestly priced pocket of Winnipeg. Its value reflects the local market, the 1885 construction date, and the smaller lot size, not necessarily the condition or quality of the home itself.
3. Is the year built a concern?
Built in 1885, this is one of the oldest homes on the street and in the neighbourhood. That typically means older systems (plumbing, electrical, insulation) and possible maintenance needs. But it also means character and solid older construction methods if the home has been reasonably maintained. A thorough inspection is recommended, especially for foundation, roof, and wiring.
4. What is the lot size, and is it usable?
The lot is 2,730 sqft, which is smaller than the street and neighbourhood averages. It’s a compact urban lot—enough for a small yard, parking if allowed, and outdoor space, but not large gardens or significant expansion. For someone who wants less landscaping work and more interior room, that can be a positive.
5. How does this property compare to others in William Whyte overall?
It stands out for having a larger-than-average living area and an older-than-average build year. Its assessed value is near the middle for the neighbourhood, while the lot is on the smaller side. So it’s not a typical home for the area—it’s a size-over-land, age-over-newness trade-off. If that matches your priorities, it could be a good fit.