Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: The "lot" development model

[IAN_HIG (IAN_HIG]

In reply to Mac Thomson who asked about groups who used the "lot" model.

Cascade Cohousing used the lot model for its development, indeed
we could not have done it any otherway.

When we had 5 or six households committed (out of an estimated total
of 12 or 14) we went ahead and purchsed land and prepared a site
design.

We found that the lack of concrete details of where the cohouse was
going to be, what would it look like, how big is the common house,
etc, etc put people off.  We decided that if the initial group
took the gamble and bought land and started the development than
we had a better chance of success.

We estimated a budget for the entire common costs and each household
had to pay up their full share on joining.  That way we could build
the development as the money came in.

Shares 1 to 5 paid for the land
share 6 and 7 for design and initial servicing
as soon as share 8 was sold the first families started building.
shares 9 and 10 started the common house
share 11 paid for the car park
etc etc

We now have 14 shares sold, but are still building the common house and
car park so we have money in the bank.

The more we built the more attractive to otherpeople we became, so
our shares became easier and easier to sell.

The difference between selling an idea and are particular piece of land
(with an idea attached) is vast.

Hope this is useful to you

cheers Hig