In each “Behind the Scenes” segment, Village Media's Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our local journalists to talk about the story behind the story.
These interviews are designed to help you better understand how our community-based reporters gather the information that lands in your local news feed. You can find more Behind the Scenes from reporter across Ontario here.
Today's spotlight is on FlamboroughToday.com's Cara Nickerson, whose story 'Okay with being nude? You can buy a Flamborough home for $119K' was published on May 2.
Below is the full story, in case you missed it.
If you’re looking to buy a home in Flamborough on the cheap, you might have to consider a lifestyle change.
According to wowa.com, a Canadian website that reports on the housing market, the average home in Flamborough sold for $1.3 million in March..
There are a handful of homes for under $200,000 in the region, but the cheapest homes in Flamborough have a catch — they are at Ponderosa Nature Resort, and new owners may have to adopt the nudist lifestyle.
Ponderosa Nature Resort is the oldest nudist resort in Ontario and is located at Concession 8 West in Freelton.
The resort offers rentals and day passes, and currently has a handful of small homes for sale on the grounds. Homeowners at Ponderosa lease land from the club and pay a monthly rental fee.
But with the cheapest home in the region, coming in at $119,000 for a rustic, cabin-style one bedroom, one bathroom, it’s the best deal you’ll find in Flamborough. It has been on the market for 60 days.
Other listings at the club include this stationary mobile home, with one bedroom and one bathroom, coming in at $169,000. It has been listed for four days.
There are currently six homes at Ponderosa listed on Realtor.com, with the highest listing at $249,090 for an 816 square-foot, two-bedroom home with one bathroom. This house has been listed for 90 days.
Owning a home here also means access to the fully nude club, a restaurant, both an outdoor and indoor pool, a sauna and hot tub.
But, according to real estate agent CC Alexander, you must be a nudist to live in the colony and use its facilities.
Non-nude alternatives nearby
Next to Ponderosa Nature Resort is Beverly Hills Estates, owned by Parkbridge. The two communities are not associated with each other, but are side-by-side on 8th Concession West and both lease land for privately owned homes.
Homeowners at Beverly Hills, which the company describes as a “professionally managed, self-contained community located in a semi-rural setting”, have homes for purchase on land that is leased from Parkbridge.
Owners pay a monthly land rental fee to Parkbridge.
These homes are priced at about $450,000 and $550,000, with one home up for sale right now at $449,500 for a two bedroom, two bathroom. This home has been on the market for 30 days.
Rocky Ridges Estates, a new year-round land-lease community in Freelton by a company called Fairmont Homes, is located at 1085 10th Concession West.
Realtor.com currently has a model home listed for $449,000 in Rocky Ridge, a 1,372 square-foot home with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The listing says there are plenty of units available, like this two bedroom, one bathroom for $249,900, which has been on the market for five days.
Flamborough home to multi-million dollar estates
At the other end of the spectrum, here are some of the most expensive homes for sale in Flamborough.
The most expensive home on the market currently is on 6th Concession West, priced at $5.9 million. This 7,154 square foot home has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, 17 parking spaces, and was built two years ago. Its new owner will take on $11,000 in property tax a year.
It has been on the market for 36 days.
The next most expensive house is in Carlisle, on Centre Rd., and is listed at $5.8 million. It has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a wine room, a home gym and an in-home theatre. This house has a $13,208 yearly property tax bill.
It has been on the market for 54 days.
The third most expensive home for sale in Flamborough is in Waterdown, on Mill Street South.
The 3,888 square foot home is listed at $5.4 million and includes two kitchens, a heated driveway, a caretaker's cottage, guest house and on-site studio. Property tax for this home is $13,414.
It has been on the market for 85 days.
