Historic ‘painted lady’ home up for sale in Grimsby

One of Grimsby’s historic homes known as the painted ladies is officially up for sale in a neighbourhood that has sent tourists flocking to the area.
With eye-popping bright colours, intricate woodwork and ornate decorations, it is the cotton candy house of the Grimsby beach.
The Victorian-style cottage was built around 150-years ago as a vacation property on land gifted to the Methodist church.
But decades ago, the one bed, one bath, roughly 950 square-foot home was transformed into a work of art.
“You don’t see stuff like this very often.” said neighbour Ziggy.
Ziggy and his girlfriend live in one of the many other painted ladies in the community and say the wild style began with just one home.
“Our friend Ed moved here in the 70s and he did it to his house and other people have followed suit.”
Jim Berry has owned the painted lady across the street for 50-years and says tourists often come to see the colourful homes.
“I love talking with them, I’ve shown them my house. I’ve got a lot of interest.” said Berry.
The cotton candy home does the same.
According to realtor Robert James, it’s an attraction bringing in people from across the country.
“People from all over Canada come and look at these houses and get pictures in front of them.”
The home’s listed for $674,900 and has been on the market for 40 days.
“There is some interest, there is some activity but with the way the market is, people are sitting on the sidelines, just waiting to see how things go with the interest rates and things like that.” said James.
“You have to find the right person for this house, it’s not geared towards everybody.”
Neighbours say a painted lady comes up on the market roughly every couple of years, but another one may soon be up for sale.
“Actually mine might be going up for sale this spring.” confessed Berry.