Dear Cohousing/Cooperative Community Enthusiasts,

As some of you may know, an 8-acre property in North Amherst near Pioneer Valley Cohousing Community (PVCC) has been on the market for a few years. A group of PVCC residents would like to help others create a second cohousing community there.  Some PVCC residents want to downsize to a smaller, more accessible unit and move into the new community; others of us would just like to draw in new households who want to live more sustainably in a vibrant, cooperative neighborhood like ours!  North Amherst has also become more desirable with public transportation, a small grocery store, cafes, a library, and more -- all within walking distance.

The first step in the process is to determine who might be interested in this new community and/or who might interested as an investor to help make such a community possible. Please use this survey to document your potential interest.  Also, feel free to send the survey link to others you think might be interested.

Thank you!
Mary Kraus for the "exploratory"  team
413-548-0050
mary@marykrausarchitect.com

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* 1. Please provide your contact information. Responses are confidential, not to be shared beyond our exploratory team. Combined responses may be shared for marketing purposes to demonstrate potential interest to others.

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* 2. UNIT SIZES & PRICES

Here’s the chicken and egg situation: It is too early in the process to know what the unit prices and sizes will be. Still, we need to know what the strength of interest is in purchasing a unit before we can move forward in the process. Sample prices are below and include common amenities such as a common house. Please note what size unit you might be interested in. Your choices can change as more information--including site and design considerations--becomes available.

The size and price estimates below are for illustration and will vary, up or down, depending on land price, community amenities future residents choose, energy efficiency, and current building material costs. All will be negotiated with the future residents who help design the physical community.

Unit sizes will range somewhere between 600 and 1600+ square feet. Unit types and styles will depend on what future residents desire – from flats (one-floor units) to townhouses/duplexes, to a multi-floor building with elevator or a mix of these (some townhouses/duplexes, some in an apartment arrangement with covered walkways). Please note your current preference(s) for unit size below.

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* 3. COOPERATIVE UNIT  As a way to create a more affordable option, would you be interested in cooperatively purchasing a larger unit (i.e., 3 or 4 bedroom unit) with other individuals? This might mean setting up a cooperative form of ownership of the unit where you buy and sell your “share” of the property. For example, you might split a 4 bedroom unit between 3 owners ($475/3 shares = $160K approx. cost per share).

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* 4. COMMUNITY LIFE - PHYSICAL

Describe three physical characteristics, not related to your individual home, which would be desirable in a future community:

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* 5. COMMUNITY LIFE - SOCIAL/LIFESTYLE

Describe three social or lifestyle characteristics you would look forward to in a future community:

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* 6. COMMUNITY AMENITIES  Please rank, in order of importance to you, these typical features of a cohousing community. The core group of future residents will determine actual amenities. Grab the tab at the left of each entry and drag to place in prioritized order. [You can skip this question if you have limited time.]

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* 7. FINANCIAL READINESS -- BECOMING AN EQUITY MEMBER

To become an “equity” member and part of the decision-making core group with early rights to select a unit, I am able to commit the following (these funds are applied toward your unit purchase):

  YES NO POSSIBILY
Commit at least $5,000
Commit at least $10,000

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* 8. I am interested in being an investor in the project, earning interest for the period of the loan I make:

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* 9. If yes, how much would you be interested in investing?

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* 10. If yes, to either Q 7 or Q8 above, how soon could you commit these funds?

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* 11. SENIOR vs. INTERGENERATIONAL      The decision has not yet been made whether to develop the project as a senior-focused or inter-generational community.  Since it will be next to and able to connect socially with the existing inter-generational Pioneer Valley Cohousing Community, a senior cohousing community may have greater appeal.  Please help define the market interest at this point.

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* 12. FINANCIAL READINESS -- PURCHASING A UNIT

What you need to facilitate purchasing a unit (check any that apply)

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* 13. SO... ARE YOU READY or... NOT READY YET...... Please note below if you're ready to move ahead and want to learn about next steps. Or, perhaps you're not ready to make a commitment financially but would like to be an “exploring” member and receive information about the progress of this project. Please note your interest below.

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* 14. TOWN LOCATION

If this current project in North Amherst does not work out, and other properties in other towns become available, please note what other locations you would be willing to consider for cohousing. CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.

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* 15. Please share any other comments or questions you may have

Thank you for participating! 
Please share this survey link with other friends and neighbors who you think might be interested.

T