Property Summary: 701 Alexander Avenue

Key Characteristics & Buyer Profile

This is a 1,480 sqft home built in 1905, located on Alexander Avenue in Winnipeg’s West Alexander neighbourhood. Its standout feature is living space: on its street, it ranks in the top 6% for size, well above the local average of 1,015 sqft. That’s unusual for an older home in this area, and it means the interior is genuinely spacious relative to its immediate surroundings.

However, the property sits on a modest 2,460 sqft lot—below average for both the street and the neighbourhood. The assessed value is also notably low, ranking in the bottom 20% locally and bottom 2% citywide. For a buyer, this suggests the building itself is the primary asset, not the land. The 1905 build date places it among the older homes on the street, but it’s actually close to the median for the West Alexander neighbourhood, meaning it fits in historically with its immediate neighbours.

This property would suit a buyer who prioritizes interior square footage and is comfortable with an older home that likely needs updating. It may appeal to someone looking for more room than typical for the street, without paying a premium for a large lot or a high tax assessment. It could also work for an investor or a buyer who is handy and sees potential in a structurally sound but not recently renovated home. The low tax assessment is a practical advantage for ongoing carrying costs.

Five Possible FAQs

1. How does the living space compare to other homes nearby?
This home has 1,480 sqft of living area, which is about 46% larger than the average on Alexander Avenue (1,015 sqft). It ranks in the top 6% on the street and top 30% within the wider West Alexander neighbourhood.

2. Why is the assessed value so low relative to the city average?
The assessed value of 13万 places it in the bottom 2% citywide, far below Winnipeg’s average of 39万. This likely reflects a combination of the home’s age, its modest lot size, and possibly a lack of recent major renovations or updates that would increase the valuation. It’s not necessarily a sign of poor condition—just that the property hasn’t been pushed up by land value or modern improvements.

3. Is a 1905 home a concern for maintenance?
Homes built in 1905 are approaching 120 years old, so buyers should expect systems (plumbing, electrical, foundation, roof) that may be original or have been updated at various points. The building matches the neighbourhood’s median build year of 1921 fairly closely, so this is a typical situation for the area. A pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended, with attention to knob-and-tube wiring, lead pipes, and foundation settling.

4. What is the lot size, and is it a dealbreaker?
The lot is 2,460 sqft, which is below average for both the street (2,977 sqft) and the neighbourhood (3,591 sqft). For someone used to suburban lots, this will feel small. But in an older urban setting like West Alexander, this lot size is not unusual and may be in line with typical row housing or close-set single-family homes. The trade-off is less yard maintenance, but also less outdoor space.

5. Who is least likely to want this property?
Buyers looking for a move-in-ready home with a large yard, modern amenities, or a low-maintenance recent build should probably look elsewhere. This property is more suited to someone who sees value in interior space, is comfortable with an older home, and doesn’t mind a smaller lot or a lower assessed value that could limit resale appeal to certain buyers.