55 Scotswood Drive

Property Overview

This 1978 bi-level home at 55 Scotswood Drive offers a practical and spacious family layout on a large, 7,471 sqft lot in Betsworth. Its key appeal lies in its established neighbourhood setting and its above-average footprint relative to many Winnipeg homes. The 1,274 sqft of living space is efficiently arranged across two levels, featuring a finished basement that adds valuable flexible space. With a detached garage and no pool, it presents a low-maintenance exterior.

The home’s competitive positioning is clear in its city-wide rankings: it sits in the top 14% for lot size and the top 26% for assessed value, indicating a property that is proportionally larger and more valuable than most in Winnipeg. This isn’t a newly built modern home, but a solid, decades-established property that has been maintained. It would suit first-time buyers or growing families looking for space and value in a mature area, without the premium price of a new development. A thoughtful perspective is that homes from this era often feature larger individual rooms and more robust construction than some newer builds, offering a different kind of value. The rankings suggest it’s a standout property on its street, potentially offering more privacy and yard space than many immediate neighbours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the "bi-level" style mean for daily living?
A: Bi-levels typically feature a main living area entered from a mid-level landing, with stairs leading both up to bedrooms and down to a lower-level family room. This separates living zones nicely, but involves more stairs than a bungalow.

Q: The home is 48 years old. What should I be mindful of?
A: While the structure is proven, key systems like the roof, windows, furnace, and plumbing may be at or beyond their typical lifespans. A thorough inspection is essential to understand the condition and any upcoming capital costs.

Q: The lot is large, but what’s the catch?
A: A large lot offers great space for play, gardening, or future expansion. The consideration is the ongoing maintenance (mowing, landscaping) and potentially higher utility costs for watering, which should be factored into the budget.

Q: The assessment is $448,000. Is that the sale price?
A: No. The assessed value is for municipal tax purposes. The sale price is determined by the current market. However, the assessment being in the top 26% city-wide is a strong indicator of the property’s relative worth.

Q: It ranks highly for lot size but mid-range in the community for living space. What does that mean?
A: This suggests you are purchasing a property with a premium asset—the land—while the house itself offers average interior space for the area. The value proposition is in the yard and potential, rather than sheer square footage under roof.