Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Conversation on the Economic Crisis: How To Do It?

[David Heimann (heimann]

Hello,

        If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  Very interesting!

Regards,
David Heimann
JP Cohousing


Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 19:25:53 +0000
From: Thomas Lofft <tlofft [at] hotmail.com>
Subject: [C-L]_ Conversation on the Economic Crisis: How To Do It?
To: <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
Message-ID: <BAY101-W26CC33F3AAF7D9EE820E8CCC3B0 [at] phx.gbl>
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Supply & Demand - Economics 101 -

What does the Economy present to us as an opportunity?

How about a glut of foreclosed or bank owned residential properties?  
OVERSUPPLY, DIMINISHED DEMAND, PRICE MUST COME DOWN TO A POINT OF EQUILIBRIUM.

I suggest that if you are a forming group, interested in a most economical way 
to create another cohousing community, seize the opportunity to conserve 
pristine land, avoid the headaches of trying to get new rezoning, extensions of 
water or sewer, or complying with impact fees for new subdivisions, and look at 
creating a retro-fit community in a cluster of foreclosed homes, TH, Condos, or 
even apartments.

If a developer or lender is sitting on forty empty foreclosed condos, contract 
to acquire the lot, combine four into common space, make the lender give it 
away at a price that meets your most unrealistic expectations, throw away all 
the Highly inefficient air-to-air heat pumps, put in a new generation 
geothermal HVAC system, and move in.  Then remove as many parking spaces as 
necessary to get a good size community garden.

If it's a subdivision, with several unfinished lots or homes, same thinking, 
even if you have to incorporate a few existing homeowners into becoming part of 
a community better than they ever dreamed of.

Carpe diem. Savor the lifestyle!

Tom Lofft
Liberty Village, MD