Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: question about wait lists

[Jeanne Goodman (goodmanj]

Hi Dorothy,

In JP Cohousing in Boston, our experience has been very similar to yours. We
had a lot of people express interest in being on a waiting list but when
units became available those folks had moved on. We have been primarily
maintaining a mailing list rather than a waiting list. So when a unit
becomes available we notify everyone on our mailing list and then market
like crazy.

All four units that have turned over have been people that the community has
found (as compared to realtors.)

We also have a first right of refusal policy. If the community finds a buyer
within the first 30 days, the seller is required to sell to an approved
buyer at the asking price. After 30 days the seller may go on the open
market, but if the price of the unit changes, the community gets a 5 day
window to get another bite at the apple.

The thirty day window is very tight and a few sellers have allowed us to
bend the time (it is very adventageous to them to have us find a buyer,) but
this system seems to be working.

I would prefer that potential buyers have a greater involvement in the
community before a unit becomes available -- but all of those who have
bought units have been wonderful additions to the community even though we
didn't get to know them before hand.

Best,

Jeanne Goodman
Jamaica Plain Cohousing
Boston, MA

On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 2:04 PM, Dorothy <driehm [at] comcast.net> wrote:

>
>    I am Chair of the Membership Committee at Rocky Hill Cohousing in
> Florence, Massachusetts.  Our committee is questioning the usefulness of our
> current Wait List, and we are wondering if other extablished cohousing
> communities have a Wait List for potential members and, if so, how does it
> operate and is it effective.
>