Steps to Join the Community – Archived

Learn about Cohousing & Our Project

• Explore this website to find out more about our vision for the community, our members, and cohousing in general.
• Join our email list to stay up-to-date on events and project progress by completing this form.
• Attend one of our public events and talk with our members. Upcoming events are posted here and are sent out to our email list.
• You can learn more about cohousing by reading either of the following books: Creating Cohousing and The Senior Cohousing Handbook and going to the website of the Cohousing Association of the United States at www.cohousing.org. The former is available locally at the Country Bookstore.
• Anyone of the current members would be glad to schedule a “coffee date” or virtual meetup to help you determine if this is the neighborhood you’re looking for.
• If you plan to secure a mortgage, you can confirm how much loan you can qualify for by checking with your bank, credit union or mortgage broker. Tell them you are looking at buying a condo (mentioning cohousing will confuse them, so stick with a standard condo loan). This is also a good time to check your credit rating to see if there are any issues you can resolve before you need the loan. The advantage of doing this early in the process is that you have time to improve your credit rating and loan prospects during the development process. If you already own a home that you are not ready to let go of, you may also want to check on taking out a second mortgage or asking your banker for additional options.
• Worried about downsizing and how you’re going to get rid of all the stuff? Take a look at the book: Rightsizing Your Life by Ciji Ware.

Ready to find out more?

• Become an Explorer and pay a $100 non-refundable Explorer Fee.  If you decide our community is not the right place for you or if it’s not the right time, we understand. We’ll credit your Explorer Fee should you want to take another look later.
• Explorers schedule an orientation meeting to go over the status of the community’s development, investment structure, how to reserve a home, and any other questions. We will are here to help through the entire process, and you are encouraged to attend our business meetings and social events in order to get to know the community and how it works.

Reserve your Spot in Bozeman Cohousing!

• Become a member and pay a $400 Membership Fee. If you decide the project is not for you before land is purchased, you can request this fee be refunded when construction is complete.
• Membership also requires becoming current on the “cash calls” that have been invested by all members in the project so far. (These funds will be reimbursed when construction is completed should you drop your membership.)
• As a member, you are expected to become fully involved and attend meetings, participate in and help organize social events, and use your talents to make the project a success.

Advantages of Joining Sooner than Later

• The date you become a member holds your seniority spot for choosing a specific unit in the neighborhood—an incentive to join now! The spot is held as long as you continue to fulfill the other requirements for full membership.
• Be part of the dynamic process of community-building. It’s a unique opportunity to join forces with other passionate people to create something like this! You will learn a lot, your comfort zone will be pushed at times, and the accomplishments will feel incredible.
• Have a voice in the design of our neighborhood and your future home.