Frequently Asked Questions

How do I arrange a tour of Rocky Corner?

During this time of social distancing, we can offer virtual or live tours. Live tours will be led by 1-2 people from Rocky Corner wearing masks. The benefit of doing a live tour now is that the homes are unoccupied and very safe to visit. You will be required to wear your own mask and sturdy shoes for walking around the construction site. We will lend you a hardhat and a reflective vest. If you want a virtual tour – we can find what will work for you. Contact welcome@rockycorner.org

How much will Rocky Corner homes cost?

Open any of the follow data sheets and you will find prices, options, layouts etc.

Steps to buying a home

Download pdf
steps to reserve a home.docx

How do I apply for an affordable home?

Read about the application process on the Applying for an affordable home at Rocky Corner page.

Contact welcome@rockycorner.org. Someone from our welcoming committee will be happy to explain the process to you and provide an application form.

We encourage you to apply if you think your household income in the year following move-in might fall below the area median income for your household size.

The income limits change each year, and we post the new limits when they become available.

What are the monthly charges?

State law requires that we announce the budget for the first year before we sell any homes. So we’ve done that. The monthly charges for all homes (except for our 60% affordable units), regardless of home size or family size, for the first year are $515. The monthly fees cover the utility costs for the common house, the upkeep of the exterior of all buildings and roads, the insurance for all buildings including your personal home. You will want to insure your interior including your personal possessions.

After we move in, we will be able to decide as a community on each year’s budget based on our experience, with everyone having an equal voice in the decision.

How are the homes heated and cooled?

Homes are built on a concrete slab that has four inches of dense foam insulation beneath it. Walls and roof are super-insulated with high-density cellulose and foam insulation. Large south-facing windows allow the slab floor to absorb heat from the sun on winter days. The windows are shaded by an overhang during the heat of summer to help keep the home cool.

Data collected during the construction has found that even in sub-zero temperatures, unheated homes have stayed above 40 degrees due to the tightly insulated construction.

Aside from these passive features that help minimize the need for heating and cooling, homes have air-source heat pumps. Quiet heat exchangers are located near the ceiling in most rooms. Each room can be controlled separately. These heat pumps are very efficient in the winter, and they also work as air conditioners in the summer. The electricity to run them can be produced by solar panels on the roof.

Will the homes have solar panels?

Roofs are solar-ready and directly face south. Owners will have the option of installing solar panels, and we assume that we can buy or lease our solar systems cooperatively from one vendor to save money. Systems will be tied to individual home meters giving the tax credit directly to the home owner

Rocky Corner homes are all electric and designed to be really energy efficient. Another way to conserve is to be careful with our electricity use and to purchase our power from an electric company that uses only wind or sun power.

Will there be a work or participation requirement?

Most cohousing communities have a work requirement for their members. The Rocky Corner community values active participation. There will always be opportunities to pitch in and get involved, with a variety of work to fit the talents, interests, and limitations of individuals. Working together is a satisfying way of connecting and feeling a strong sense of community.

Our initial work policy will ask all of us to contribute at least 6 hours a month (or 72 hours per year) to budget related work.

Additional work done by Rocky Corner folks to maintain the property will mean we can rely less on hired help. This reduces our operating costs and will allow us to keep monthly fees in check.

What will the common house include?

We will have:

A large commercial kitchen where we can cook shared meals and can rent for food preparation that can be sold to the public.
A dining room for shared meals and social events like parties, dances, music making and theater.
A living room for game playing, reading, talking.
A maker space for arts and crafts.
A wood-working shop.
A laundry room for use by members who may choose not to have their own home washer/dryer.

Will there be space for members to grow some of their own food?

Each home will be provided a 20′ x 40′ plot in the community garden. Many of our future residents are experienced gardeners, so we will actively learn from each other.

There will also be opportunities to participate in a CSA or to raise ones own crops or animals on a somewhat larger scale.

You do not have to participate in gardening to be an active resident of Rocky Corner.

How can I learn about sociocracy?

Sociocracy is our governance model for doing the work and for making the decisions that create our community. Learn more here.

People who commit to purchasing a home at Rocky Corner will be provided sociocracy training along-side others who will be your future neighbors. Sociocracy allows for full, fair participation in the operation of Rocky Corner.

We studied under Diana Leafe Christian who works to bring sociocracy to intentional communities. Watch her video here. She talks about Rocky Corner!

FAQs