I' m guessing that this change WILL make life for the Elders easier in terms of government forms and accounting but it will also make it easier for the"society" to sell individual Halls as they see fit, as well. They can do so more directly now without the formality of having to make it seem as if the local congregations have any real say in the matter and it will eliminate the risk of having another Menlo Park situation.
I'm not sure this will have a big impact on JW's in terms of seeing red flags. It seems to me that most of them are proud to be followers and take pride in being easily led. They view the money they donate and the time they spend working on Kingdom Halls as being for the overall "advancement of Jehovah's Kingdom" rather than being for their own benefit. They don't have a problem when they work on a building and then it's later sold for profit, they view this as a good thing since the profit can be used to "advance the kingdom interests and they were glad to do their part.
We know this new plan is "all of a piece" however they'll only see these changes individually rather than as part of an overall scheme that's being set in motion, so they won't have a problem with it. It's only when they start having to drive long distances because their Hall was sold, that they'll begin to wonder what's going on. Even then, they won't question out loud, as that wouldn't be sheeplike. They aren't suspicious of the GB the way we are suspicious of the Government. They aren't concerned about anyone profiting individually.
The problem I have with this new plan is that JW's aren't given enough information so as to see the big picture. It seems to me that the Governing Body doesn't view the average JW as being capable of understanding such matters and or they simply don't want the plain folk getting in their way with their annoying amateurish questions and petty local concerns. They don't want the individual JW getting involved with the details. Just give us your money and we'll handle the rest. I think most JW's are happy to be able to sit back and not be concerned with such matters and have a safe feeling that they are being looked after and by doing so, they are that much closer to everlasting life.