South Bruce Peninsula

[Frank]

Property is located on Cranberry Island...3/4 of an acre, some of which is zoned EP, but most is R2....you can get a permit for it (min. 431 Sq. Ft building, max is 8% lot coverage)....however, significant swamp at shoreline, for quite a ways out, and therefore you will need an airboat, or hovercraft to get to it.   Also, Conservation lands all around, and in an area classified as natural and scientific interest... meaning you will get into trouble if you pitch a tent, and destroy some rare species of flora.   

[Pfm1011]

Sounds like a real bargain....It never ceases to amaze me how these great pieces of property end up being abandoned

[twinn1]

Folks, stay away for this gem.  I think it was last year or the year before that the muncipality had a few lots on Cranberry island for sale.  If i recall only one person brought one of  the lots and they were cheap 5 or 6K.  I talked to my local friends in that area and they mentioned that they call that island "snake island" as one of the locals told me that he know someone that has a cottage there and had caught 20 snakes and this was only in July.  Its located just outside Wiarton, you get across through a dock located in oilphant  There is no ferry service, strickly private boats, and I think one guy in town operates a 'barge" to get supplies to the island.

[farrouk]

Lets recap this one:
Environmental concerns
Swamps
No road access
Lots of snakes
Sounds like I will pass on this gem!!!!

[twinn1]

A lot of small sparsley populated islands have snake problems, so this is not uncommon.  In most cases with heavily populated islands the locals have taken care of the problem but in the case of cranberry isalnd, it is very small and lightly populated.  For the minimum bid its not too bad (better suited to a local resident though), you have to remeber that when buiding anything on an island your costs are going to be 30-50% more at least as getting the materials across on a barge gets expensive, as is the labour cost if you can find anybody willing to work.  Also, with our aging population, its going to be a tougher sell as I can;t see too many boomers wanting to live on a island cottage.  Just to far from hospitals in case of emergencies.  Living year round is almost impossible.

Having an island cottage is awesome when your younger, some of my friends have island cottages, just keep in mind that getting to the island cottage may seem like an adventure at 35 with young kids but at 65 it becomes more of a burden.

[Frank]

A lot of small sparsley populated islands have snake problems, so this is not uncommon.  In most cases with heavily populated islands the locals have taken care of the problem but in the case of cranberry isalnd, it is very small and lightly populated.  For the minimum bid its not too bad (better suited to a local resident though), you have to remeber that when buiding anything on an island your costs are going to be 30-50% more at least as getting the materials across on a barge gets expensive, as is the labour cost if you can find anybody willing to work.  Also, with our aging population, its going to be a tougher sell as I can;t see too many boomers wanting to live on a island cottage.  Just to far from hospitals in case of emergencies.  Living year round is almost impossible.

Having an island cottage is awesome when your younger, some of my friends have island cottages, just keep in mind that getting to the island cottage may seem like an adventure at 35 with young kids but at 65 it becomes more of a burden.

Problem with this island property, as I understand it, is that you just can't get there, not even with a canoe.  There is quite an extensive bog area offshore (you can see it on google earth).  They used to let you dredge channels, and you can see some of those as well, but not anymore.   This isn't the sand beach, or rock drop off situation that is preferrable...the kids can't go for a swim off the dock.   Unless water levels in the lake rise again, this is really worthless.

[Icebjerg]

I bought this. 
Great property for my family and I.
Ice

[netpred]

Congratulations!

Why so long to let us know? Was there an issue registering the tax deed?

Anyway, what is the property really like? what are your plans? Please keep us advised if you are building and let us know how it works out for you.

This is a great story and why most of us are here - to buy our dream property! This looks like another feel-good happy story. We need more posts like this.

[26.2]

Sounds like a real bargain....It never ceases to amaze me how these great pieces of property end up being abandoned

Good score!  I thought it sounded interesting but a little out of my area. Most of the posts were more cautionary then the above quote.

[Icebjerg]

Congratulations!

Why so long to let us know? Was there an issue registering the tax deed?

Anyway, what is the property really like? what are your plans? Please keep us advised if you are building and let us know how it works out for you.

This is a great story and why most of us are here - to buy our dream property! This looks like another feel-good happy story. We need more posts like this.

No issue with the deed, as I paid the total in full. I have been paying the taxes and the municipality has been sending me updates, local new, etc.
Yes it is a bit of a pain to access but not all that bad for a young family. Great place to start?