Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: size of community

[Lynn Nadeau / Maraiah (welcome]

> Basically I think you have to assess as a community how much you can
> drop the price down with the addition of "x" more households. ... is  
> it enough to fully sell out the
> project? You also have to be sure the number you are counting on is
> real. ...Can the community run
> on the number of units sold?

I missed the original question, but this brings up for me some  
practical advice based on RoseWind's experience.
Keep in mind that you may end up with one or more units that doesn't  
sell in the ideal time frame. I suggest setting a development budget  
that is based on selling less than all your units - at least one  
unsold unit. Otherwise, the last unsold unit is apt to kick in  
problems. Paying tax on the unsold unit or lot, inflation in delayed  
development costs, etc.

Another approach, if starting from scratch is to clearly phase your  
development: When x number of families have bought in, we'll have a  
parking lot and paved streets, when X more, we'll have a common house,  
and when the last X join, we will have a shop and greenhouse. Or  
whatever specifics. What you don't want is to have all your projects  
partially done, held up for lack of joiners.

Maraiah Lynn Nadeau
RoseWind Cohousing, Port Townsend WA, 24 households
with a garden full of cabbage, peas, broccoli, spinach, lettuce,  
rhubarb, and the first strawberries and beets.
Two resales available, at $248,000 and $385,000.
www.rosewind.org