731 Burrows Avenue – Property Summary

Key Characteristics & Buyer Profile

This is a 640 sqft home built in 1912 on a 3,004 sqft lot, located in Winnipeg’s William Whyte neighbourhood. Its assessed value is $110,000.

What stands out most about this property is how it sits relative to its surroundings. The living area is notably compact—well below average on its own street, in the neighbourhood, and across the city. The assessed value reflects this, ranking in the bottom 1% citywide. However, the lot size is closer to the local norm, which is worth noting: in a neighbourhood where lots average around 3,277 sqft, this one holds its own. That means the structure is small, but the land isn't unusually tight for the area.

The year built (1912) places it among older homes locally, though William Whyte has a mix of eras—the neighbourhood average is 1927, so this isn’t out of place. Citywide, it’s older than most.

The appeal here is straightforward: this is an entry-level price point in a city where the median home value is nearly four times higher. For a buyer who values low cost of entry over square footage, and who is comfortable with an older home that will likely need updates, this property offers a foothold in the market. It would suit someone looking to get into homeownership with minimal capital, or possibly an investor interested in a renovation project where the land-to-building ratio isn’t extreme. It’s not for someone seeking move-in-ready space or a modern layout.

Five Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does the assessed value compare to the sale price?
The assessed value is $110,000, which is well below the street average of $227,300 and the citywide average of $390,100. This doesn’t guarantee the sale price will match—assessments are a baseline, and market conditions, condition of the home, and buyer demand all factor in. For a property like this, the final sale price often depends on how much work a buyer expects to put in.

2. Is the small living area a problem for resale later?
It depends on the buyer pool. In a neighbourhood where the average living area is over 1,100 sqft, a 640 sqft home will always be an outlier. That limits future buyers to those specifically looking for a compact, low-cost home. It’s not a red flag, but it’s a constraint. If you’re buying as a long-term primary residence, that may not matter. If you’re thinking of reselling in a few years, understand that the pool of interested buyers will be smaller.

3. What condition is a 1912 home likely in?
That’s impossible to know without an inspection, but some general patterns hold. Plumbing, electrical, and insulation in homes from this era were not built to modern standards. Foundations may be original stone or brick. Lead paint and knob-and-tube wiring are possible. None of this is a dealbreaker, but any buyer should budget for system upgrades and expect that some surprises will surface. The older the home, the more important a thorough inspection becomes.

4. How does the lot size affect future expansion potential?
The lot is 3,004 sqft—slightly below the street average but close to the neighbourhood norm. That’s not a generous footprint for a major addition, but modest expansions (a rear addition or finishing an attic space) may be feasible depending on zoning and setback requirements. It’s worth checking local bylaws if expansion is part of your plan. For most buyers at this price point, it’s more realistic to think of the lot as adequate for the existing footprint, not as a blank canvas.

5. Why is the assessed value so low compared to the neighbourhood average?
Two main reasons. First, the living area is about half the neighbourhood average. Lower square footage directly drives down assessed value. Second, older homes with original or outdated systems also tend to be assessed lower—condition and age are factors in the assessment formula. The neighbourhood average of $149,100 is pulled up by larger and more updated homes. This property sits at the lower end of that range, which is consistent with its size and age.