Wasaga Beach for sale by owner?

Our Beach One “world class” developer walked away, so now we start a new process, or… did it start long ago and we are just being presented the public version?

More on that later, for now let’s focus on the MANY properties declared surplus by this Council.

“For Sale by Owner”

Wait, what? Why are town properties being advertised as for sale by owner? I recall discussions where several local Real Estate companies were going to be “sharing” the listings.

How did the town come up with asking prices? Well I know they had extensive advice from those Realtors. Research that took hours would have been presented to the town for consideration. Why do realtors do all of this up front work when working with clients? That answer is simple. They know they get paid at the end of the day! But when their services are used then they are discarded, I’m sure the lasting effects go beyond simple disappointment.

But why are we not seeing these town properties being listed on MLS? Why are we not seeing high profile Real Estate companies promoting the “opportunities” to purchase these properties?

Well, one possible scenario is that the inexperienced decision makers at Town Hall had decided that they were not going to pay those Realtors what they considered fair compensation for their vast experience.

Why? What drives this attitude? Simple… we have a Mayor who is himself a developer. He has flipped many Wasaga Beach Real Estate holdings. My guess is that he either wants to brag about how much he saved the town or, (worse yet) is it just about favours for friends?

There is so much that stinks right now about the control being exerted at town hall, I have to ask… Is it possible that the Town already has a buyer in mind for some of the properties? Is it possible they simply wanted thousands of dollars of experience from respected real estate professionals without paying for those services?

One big property drives much of my intrigue on this issue. Our old arena property is up for sale. Normally, interested parties learn about properties like this through advertising often put out there by professionals with contacts in the Real Estate industry.

In the case of the old arena property, it is a page on our poorly designed Town Website. But who looks this listing up? Sure lots of you on Facebook heard it was for sale, but how many had actually clicked around and found the listing prior to today.

If we are truly forced to let this Council sell off key assets, why are they not utilizing the services of the professionals who could get us the best value for our holdings?

I have a few possible good answers to that question but I will leave it out there for your comments. Check out the link shared today and ask yourself… who stands to benefit from NOT listing these properties using professional real estate agents/ brokers?

Fact: A developer has presented a possible housing development to Council regarding this property. (Which was not for sale at the time)

Facts: I drove by yesterday and the residents playing Pickle Ball were there in large numbers enjoying the courts there. These people have been advised that OTHER facilities will be considered for future.

Fact: Our respected, long standing Wood Working Club who meet and work there have been put in a situation that THEY are looking for a new home.

Fact: Comunity groups like Kinnette use these facilities for important community services and those services (like the children’s Christmas Gift program) will suffer if a new location isn’t readily available.

Fact: It was stated PUBLICLY that selling these (surplus) properties was necessary if Council wanted to fund the development of Beach One without massive tax burdens.

It’s all tied together, but today I found myself wondering, is it all tied together with thin, damaged thread?

https://www.wasagabeach.com/…/Town-Owned-Properties-for…