Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: development questions--again

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Nov 30, 2006, at 2:02 PM, Sharilyn Rediess wrote:
> If you can raise that kind of cash up front (through home equity loans,
> savings, beg, borrow [no stealing]), in the long run will the overall 
> cost
> be lower in this model (sans development partner)?

Personally, I would say NO NO NO. Developers earn their keep with 
expertise. They know how to plan the project so there are no delays 
that cost you mucho dollars. They know how to get through the planning 
board. Banks trust them! (Ask your bank before you hire someone.)

Not all architects are created alike -- some know diddly squat about 
actually getting a building built. The same with lawyers -- developer 
have relationships with lawyers so they get services faster and more to 
the point. They aren't starting from scratch to develop these 
relationships. You will be.

You will save no money and it will take you much longer to get built. 
Before Takoma Village I was with a group in Florida--Synergy. The 
horror story is in the archives. And the group was intelligent and did 
it's research. All the stuff you have to do. Lost tens of thousands of 
dollars.

If you have actual professionals in your group that is a whole 
different can of worms (and has its own problems) but unless you have 
those people you will be paying to get an education and college 
educations for 10 people on the design team will be expensive.

The reason cohousing began to boom and it no longer took 10 years to 
build a community is because developers came along who would specialize 
in cohousing. Use them if you can. If not find an experienced local 
developer with a proven track record for coming in on time and within 
budget.

One fear that groups have about hiring a developer (in addition to 
thinking it will cost more) is that they will lose control of the 
project. They really want to do it themselves. Believe me, there will 
be plenty to do -- TONS -- even if you have a developer. Developers 
work with people to build homes everyday. There are a million decisions 
to be made. You will be exhausted. Just the process of finding a good 
developer will prove that to you!

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org