Townhouses For Sale in Aileen-Willowbrook, Markham

The Markham side of Thornhill

Thornhill straddles the boundary between Markham and Vaughan along Yonge Street, and Aileen-Willowbrook is on the Markham side, east of Bayview. It is an established area of detached homes and condominium townhouse complexes, with mature trees and quiet residential streets.

A good share of the townhouses come up in complexes near John Street and Bayview, laid out as rows around internal roads with private garages or parking pads. Most were built during Thornhill's main suburban growth decades. That means a status certificate review is central to any purchase here, but it also means settled grounds and mature landscaping.

Why downsizers look here first

Many Aileen-Willowbrook buyers are leaving a detached house nearby and want to stay in the same part of Thornhill. A condominium townhouse gives them:

• Exterior maintenance, snow clearing and landscaping handled by the corporation
• Their own front door, garage and often a small patio or yard
• A familiar location close to Yonge Street, Bayview shops and the routes into Toronto

The things to check are stairs and layout. Some units have bedrooms on the upper floor only, and many have basements. If one-floor living is the goal, look for units with a main-floor bedroom or room to add one, and ask the corporation whether stair lifts or similar changes are allowed.

Downsizers should also look at how the complex is run. A corporation with an active board, clear rules and a property manager who answers questions promptly makes ownership much easier. Ask current owners, if you can, how quickly repair requests get handled.

Steeles, Bayview and the subway that's coming up Yonge

Aileen-Willowbrook is a short drive from the Toronto border. TTC and York Region Transit buses run along Steeles, Bayview and Yonge, connecting to Finch station on Line 1. Highway 407 is a short drive north, and the 404 is reachable to the east.

The Yonge North Subway Extension will add stations along Yonge Street at Steeles, Clark and Royal Orchard, then continue to Bridge station near Highway 7 and Langstaff GO. The project is expected to take about a decade. When it opens, it will put a subway station a short bus ride or drive west of the neighbourhood. In the meantime, Langstaff GO on the Richmond Hill line is the nearest commuter rail.

Reading a John Street complex's paperwork

When comparing complexes in the area, focus on:

1. Reserve fund study. What major components, such as roofs, windows, doors, decks and paving, have been replaced, and when is the next round due?
2. Budget and fee trend. A fee that has risen steadily may simply reflect healthy reserve contributions. A sudden jump may point to a shortfall.
3. Special assessments. Look in board minutes for discussion of one, not just the summary on the status certificate.
4. Owner versus corporation responsibilities. The declaration spells out who handles windows, doors, decks and fences.
5. Parking. Confirm garage and driveway spaces and visitor parking rules.

Schools are run by the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board. Use each board's locator for the exact address.

Supply here is modest compared with the newer communities further east, so a well-kept unit in a complex with recent replacements can sell quickly. Watch the live listings on this page and have financing in place.