20 Sansome Avenue – Property Summary
Key Characteristics & Buyer Profile
This is a 1,270-square-foot bungalow built in 1968, sitting on a 5,644-square-foot lot in Winnipeg’s Westwood neighbourhood. What stands out most is the age of the home: it ranks in the top 3% on its street for newer construction, and in the top 18% within the neighbourhood. For a 1960s house, that’s unusually late—most of the surrounding homes are a few years older, which can mean slightly better insulation, updated wiring, or a more modern layout from the start.
The assessed value is $315,000, which is notably below the street average of $356,200 and well under the neighbourhood average of $392,100. That’s the property’s main draw: you’re buying into a street where most homes are valued higher, but this one is priced more like a fixer-upper or a starter. The living area is slightly above the street average but sits around the middle of the pack citywide. The lot is also average for the area—not oversized, but not cramped.
This property would suit a buyer who wants a solid postwar neighbourhood with decent bones, but who is willing to take on a home that hasn’t been renovated to match its neighbours’ value. It’s a good fit for first-time buyers looking for a lower entry point in an established area, or for someone who sees potential to build equity over time as the street’s overall values rise. It’s less suited to someone wanting a turnkey property or a premium lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the assessed value so much lower than the street average?
The home ranks in the bottom 96% on Sansome Avenue for assessed value. This usually reflects a combination of factors: the home may have an older kitchen or bathroom, fewer upgrades than neighbours, or a smaller finished footprint. The value gap suggests there’s room for appreciation if renovations are done.
2. Is the living area considered small for this neighbourhood?
Not really. At 1,270 square feet, it’s slightly larger than the street average of 1,244 square feet, though the wider Westwood neighbourhood average is 1,372 square feet. So it’s on the smaller side for the area, but still within a typical range for a bungalow of this era.
3. How does the lot size compare?
The 5,644-square-foot lot is close to the street average (5,792 sqft) and a bit below the neighbourhood average (6,491 sqft). It ranks in the middle tier—about 40th percentile citywide. Not a large yard, but typical for a 1960s infill-style lot.
4. Does the year built (1968) offer any real advantages over older homes?
Yes, in a few ways. Homes built in the late 1960s often have better electrical systems and more standardized framing than those from the early 1960s or 1950s. They also tend to have larger windows and more open floor plans. Being in the top 3% on the street means this is one of the newer houses on Sansome, which can be a plus for insurance and renovation costs.
5. What’s the resale potential like?
Because the assessed value is low relative to the street, there’s a chance that even moderate upgrades could move the needle significantly. The downside is that the home is already in a top-tier street for newer construction, so you’re not buying into a declining area. The risk is that the home needs more work than the price suggests—worth getting a thorough inspection before committing.