Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Average Turn Over

[Craig Ragland (craigragland]

On Songaia Turnover: We just sold our 2nd home since our 11/2000 move-in -
both tied to divorces. We only have 13 units. If we are going to do some
"systematic comparisons," then using some type of rate might be appropriate.
Since I don't mind making stuff up - until something better comes along -
how about if we put the number of units resold over the number of units
times the number of years since move-in? In the case of Songaia, that would
be 2/(13*8.75) = 1.8%. Does anyone know "the right" formula to use? I expect
there's some normal way of calculating a turn-over rate?

I recall that I used to have the idea that a lower turn-over rate is somehow
better than higher rates... I suspect this rate is highly impacted by the
broader turn-over for both the community's demographics and its location. I
don't have the specific data, but aren't younger people generally more
mobile (I certainly was very mobile between 18 and 30). Similarly, don't
people in more urban areas more more? I expect they have increased
opportunities for changing employment (I did). Many communities actively
seek more young people - so, are they also, perhaps unknowingly, asking for
higher turnover rates?

Because of my role with the association, I have learned about some
challenges for a few communities. Some situations, e.g. construction
defects, have directly led to high turn-overs, as some have fled the
problems. And Kay is exactly correct that some communities don't readily
talk about their problems... especially in highly public forums that are
exposed by search engines.

On Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 11:51 AM, Kay Argyle <kay.argyle [at] utah.edu> wrote:

>
> I too have wondered what the range of turnover is among communities. The
> subject usually only appears as a throwaway comment in a for-sale notice,
> "our first unit to come available in three years."  Nobody boasts about
> "our
> second unit available this summer." Is a low turnover the norm? Or do
> communities with more turnover choose not to discuss it, the way
> communities
> are sometimes reluctant to confess they don't (for shame!) have common
> meals?
>
> Kay
>
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-- 
Craig Ragland

Coho/US executive director
http://www.cohousing.org
craig [at] cohousing.org

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