Being A Vacation Destination Is Helping To Increase Wasaga Beach Real Estate Values
Although the Town of Wasaga Beach did not get to be recognized until January of 1974, its stature as the longest fresh water beach in the world has continually attracted both permanent and seasonal residents, particularly from neighboring Toronto. But, the amount of permanent townspeople has increased steadily — from 12,419 in 2001 to over 15,029 in 2006, when the last census was undertaken.
present population figures continue to increase, making Wasaga Beach one of the fastest maturing places in Canada. Since 2009, there has been a dramatic increase in both the amount of sales and the amount of Wasaga Beach real estate sold, showing a good combination of new residential construction as well as seasonal and recreational properties springing up all along the popular beach front.
Locals and visitors alike are drawn to Wasaga Beach by the the fourteen kilometers of family friendly sandy public beaches that is also home to the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, which was given the prestigious Blue Flag designation for its endeavors to manage Wasaga’s shoreline in accordance with international environmental standards. The area offers recreation all year round along the sandy beaches — designated 1-6 (with 1 and 2 being the most busy) — and during the spring and summer there are sports like various water sports or a game of frisbee to be enjoyed by all. The same stretch of beach becomes a wintertime mecca for sports enthusiasts who come to snowmobile and snow shoe on the well-groomed trails.
The growth that Wasaga Beach has experienced has not been put off by the major fire that destroyed a large portion of the main street businesses and apartments as well as the pedestrian mall on November 30, 2007. Instead, the region is experiencing a big building boom with fabrication currently underway on a contemporary style beach front boardwalk with a plaza, dining, and an all weather theme park attached to a monorail. To deal with the demand of the burgeoning area, the local transit service, Georgian Coach Lines, has had to add to their routes twice since 2008 and offer service daily from 7AM to 7PM on an east-west route through the town.
Home sales rose in the first part of 2010 by 65 percent when compared to the same time last year. In March 2010, the market witnessed a whopping 50 percent growth, most likely because of the increased availability of services and products all over Wasaga Beach and as well the Collingwood real estate sector that is nearby. Many of the recent transactions were in the 350K to 500K range, which signifies a 172 percent increase for the Greater Toronto Area over the average value of residential property, that usually runs around 300K. Although almost certainly seasonal purchasers account for a large portion of the growth, it also seems to be because the high-end homes in Wasaga Beach are becoming a popular retirement choice for well-to-do residents. But undoubtedly the overall attraction of the Georgian Triangle lifestyle will keep attracting the interest in a wide range of potential purchasers who are drawn by the rural beauty of Wasaga Beach, but take pleasure in the advantage of having the amenities of Toronto within a a short drive away.
