Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: What SHOULD I be worried about?

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

Philip is of course correct but when it is all laid out like that it's a 
bit overwhelming. In reality each one of these things will/may occur 
months apart so you have time to adjust. Knowing they are coming is a 
great advantage. Groups used to be surprised by each one. And now that 
you know them, you can be prepared.

Pin people down to cost estimates, etc., and do you own research. The 
web gives you access to education and information like no other 
cohousing group has had.

And remember that this is fun and rewarding. At 14 years with a lot of 
turnover I find my mind wandering to a crisis or new idea that would 
bring our community together as much as that hurricane that filled the 
mud pits that were supposed to become basements and delayed construction 
again. Or the last minute scramble to get all our purchase contacts and 
down payments in by 6:00 with one day's notice or the whole project 
would be lost. After the dust settles all that binds the founders in a 
way that it's hard to replicate.

R Philip Dowds wrote:

> Plan on delay.  Plan on surprising cost increases.  Plan on flogging your way past 
> disappointments.  Your group may have to deal one or more of …
>
> internal disagreements about location, design, pricing, membership, whatever;
> complicated local or even State permitting, waivers and variances;
> members that come and go, and come again;
> litigation by your neighbors;
> nervous bankers;
> bad cost estimates;
> incompetent or opportunistic professional services;
> and other problems …
>
> All of which can morph your three-year, $9mln project into a five-year, $12mln 
> project.  You can, of course, succeed.  Many groups do.  Just be realistic, 
> flexible, and go get expert input when you need it.  And armor up.
>
> R Philip Dowds AIA
> Cornerstone Cohousing
> Cambridge, MA