Party-ready bungalow listed for $2M is big enough for large family
‘It’s a perfect entertainment house,’ owner says of Oshawa home, which has in-ground cement pool
Location 770 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa Price $2.039 million
The sellers If you live in Oshawa, you’ll know the big blue bungalow with the red front door, says Tamara Webber, who lived there with her family during her teen years. Her parents bought the house, on a big lot with mature evergreen trees, 41 years ago, and it’s been the site of numerous social events and family functions. As Webber’s dad is deceased and her mom has health issues, it’s time for the of the ’60s ranch-style bungalow to pass to a new owner.
Webber’s parents, Donna and Barry McNamee, were the third owners. “It’s still fairly close to what it was originally, but my parents changed the house’s colour from beige to blue — that is Mom’s favourite colour — and my dad added a six-car garage at the back,” Webber says. There’s also a two-car attached garage and large shop.
Her father, who owned a successful life insurance office, was also known as the “Mustang Man” for his collection of Mustangs, Panteras and “other fascinating cars” says Webber. Often, one or more of his cars were parked in the front circular driveway.
Due to her father’s business and their large family (five children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren), the house, and its large property were ideal for work events, Sunday dinners, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. “Any excuse to have a party, we did it,” recalls Webber. “It’s a perfect entertainment house. It’s a great layout, very soundproof. You could have a party in the kitchen, and couldn’t hear it from the bedrooms. As a kid, I was constantly bringing friends over on Fridays for a little party.”
The backyard is a private oasis, with the first in-ground cement pool in Oshawa. “You don’t hear traffic or neighbours; you see rabbits and squirrels, and you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere,” says Webber. Her parents were award-winning gardeners and the grounds were their canvas.
The house has original wood siding, three bedrooms and an office, plus four bathrooms. The basement rec room has large windows. The kitchen has original cupboards with original hardware and sink for a vintage touch. Because of the mainfloor office, it’s well-suited to people working from home, says Webber.
“It’s got a great central location,” she adds, with major hospital, shopping, schools, restaurants all in the neighbourhood, bus stop steps away and golf courses close by. Durham College, Ontario Tech University, a new SmartCentres shopping complex and Highway 407 are five minutes north.
Realtor This house is the epitome of suburban elegance, meticulously maintained, with many original features. It has more than 3,000 square feet of above-grade living on a beautifully landscaped lot. Everything is updated, including the windows, shingles and HVAC system. It’s move-in ready, with little to no upgrades needed. It’s on a huge lot with a circular drive, where 20 or more cars can easily fit, plus there is a two-car attached garage and sixcar detached garage.
Highlights
■ Updated with 1960’s character
■ Landscaped backyard with mature trees and in-ground cement pool
■ Three bedrooms, four bathrooms plus office
■ Formal living and dining rooms overlooking backyard
■ Two-car attached plus six-toeight-car detached garage
■ Close to shopping, schools, college and university, transit, Highway 407.
“The house has been a part of our lives for 40 years. It’ll be sad to see it go,” says Webber, who says it is ideal for people who love to entertain as much as her family did.