by Bethers » Sun Nov 03, 2019 5:48 pm
Wow, I'll try lol.
First, Sandi... There is a rig in that site.
Judy and Barbi... I'll try. First, I put my lot in the rental pool whenever I'm not here, so I don't leave anything outside. By being in the rental pool, at the end of the year when all expenses of the co-op are figured, I get a decent break on my portion from the income generated. The dues usually is from $800 to $1200 annually... I think mine was about $150 last year... And like this year I was here the month of November so got no credit for November.
As a co-op we all have a say and costs are much less also. Activities? Music most weekends/holidays. Dinners most weeks... We pay $6 to $8 and it's all prepared. There are a couple planned now and you know in advance what will be served so can decide if you're interested. I'll probably go to the Veterans Day one coming up. The Veterans aren't charged so the $8 the rest of us pay, covers their meals , too. Last year part of celebrating them included each of them receiving a quilt that members of the co-op had made. Cards, a pool table room, a library, an outdoor area that is used in good weather for cocktail hour and more and more. I'm more into the special things if I'm here. I love the Christmas auction, for example. People donate items for it and all the money goes to activities. So there's never a fee for the music, for example. And it's a blast.
Ok, how does it work. Yes, I own the casita and any lot improvements, but I only own the lease to the land for my lifetime or until I sell. Every lot starts at the same base price and then the improvements (casita, some landscaping, etc) are added at their actual cost to determine the actual cost when buying. Regular maintenance can't be added. So my first property had a much smaller casita, and only electric to it. It had a concrete porch area and a walkway, all which were added to the base cost. I did no improvements to add to that so when I sold, it was worth the same plus an amount we all voted on that increased all the lots. Not going into detail on that LOL. My current lot, same base, but the casita is bigger and it has water and electric inside, hookups for a washer and dryer, a bathroom, and a small a.c. as well as the on demand water heater and some landscaping. So those additions took the price up. But I can tell you there no way I could, at today's prices, have done those things for anywhere near what I paid. As long as I must maintain, should I sell, I'd get exactly the same amount back. Yes, you could lose if you don't maintain. On the other hand if you make approved improvements and turn in your costs, those get added.
Ok there is no monthly rent. There is the annual dues that, mentioned above, is divided equally among all leaseholders.
Yes, I could reside here year round, should I decide to. As a co-op everyone is expected to help when they can... Which also keeps our costs down. Because I'm not here all winter, I usually pick individual things... Like last year I helped redecorate the rec hall between a couple holiday changes. I also was on to help in the library once a week any week I was here. People who like gardening work in landscaping, etc etc. Last year I volunteered to work the Christmas auction. I was going to be there anyway and working it was fun.
Beth
“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~
"He who treasures the small things in life has found the path to true happiness"
