Orillia tax sales

[gap]

There is no mention on this forum that I can see about the Orillia tax sales up in mid or late August, I think.  Nice lots, or at least so it seems, but when you visit them they seem like marshland?  Part of the first section seems really wet with marsh vegetation, but the rest seems like trees.  Does anyone know if it's one of those things were you need some sort of a culvert or something, but the lot is usable, with some fill and a driveway bridge?  Any comments ?

[jreist]

Are we talking about the tax sale Aug 23, I checked the the Orillia site and downloaded the package and there are 5 lots on one street and one large lot which looks like it is in commercial area. I was not interested for we are looking for rural land.  I googled the address and it looks like it is in the city and near the water. 

http://www.city.orillia.on.ca/cityhall/citydepts_treas_tax_sales.htm

[kcu]

It looks like all the lots on the same street are coming from the same owner. Has anyone done the title search?

[gap]

I haven't done the title search, because I usually visit (take the drive) before I spend the money.  I'd rather be out a few hours than hard cash.   And, I look at it as a nice drive anyways, which I enjoy.  SO, I visited and the lots are across the street from a Conservancy with a paved road in between.   The location is amazing: 500------------600  ft away is a public access to Lake Couchiching and it has a walkway (kind of a public path at the back.  So, it's very parklike environment, across the street there's a beautiful conservation area with bullrushes and all, and it will never be developed, down the road there's the lake, BUT, it's marshland  for the first half of the lots, and they have no services (e.g. watermain, etc.)  In addition, the local works guy says no septic allowed, so there is no way it could be developed, unless the developer (or owner) gets the city to extend the watermains and sewer piping, which they have no intention of doing it.  He also says the cost would likely be exhorbitant, since it's usually split between the other side of the road and in this case that will never be developed.   In addition, there are high water tables in the area, so there would be no ability to put basements in.....Amazing fact:  this is in the northwood subdivision (some million plus homes and some on the water).  What an amazing area, too bad the fill and services would require more money than the cost outlay.   It would be a huge project, capable of being completed by someone with huge pockets.  Anyone out there that this info could help.   (The city wants someone to bid on all and build a small condo unit!)

[kcu]

Well, that does not sound good at all.
If the city will not install the water and sewer, those lots would be worthless.
It’s too bad, because it looks like a nice area.

[logon9]

The little lot went for 17 something. The one next to it went for 33 something the two in the middle went for 25k each and the last one went for 30 something. Next to the tax sale lots there are two more vacant lots (pretty well identical to the ones on tax sale). These are on regular MLS and they are listed for 58 and 59k. I am very new to this and I wonder wether it would be possible to turn a profit by buying one of the tax sale lots at 30k and listing it for sale at 45k right away. Any thoughts from experienced members on this matter?

BTW, as others have said here before, very useful site!

[gap]

Wow, I didn't expect that...if you can figure out a way of building on wet land, it would be an amazing area...beautifully treed and in an area of incredible houses.   The lots next door have been for sale for awhile, so I don't think the others would resell quickly.   But, it was a great opportunity for someone who can make it work.  Who knows, maybe slab houses?