EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT BUILDING AND LIVING IN THE RACHEL CARSON ECOVILLAGE . . . almost
DEVELOPMENT
When will the units be ready to move in?
Construction began in early February; we anticipate moving in this year – 2026!
What will the homeowners own?
Each household owns their unit (the structure) and an equal share of the common facilities. The form of ownership is condominium.
What will the housing units cost?
Sales prices and unit descriptions can be found here.
What will be the monthly fee?
Monthly maintenance charges will include operating expenses, insurance, debt service, and capital reserves but do not include utilities for individual units. They will also cover the activities fee and a share of the ground lease. The amount will be determined by the community. Our target is in the range of $350 – 375. Like other co-housing communities, we will have a program of shared volunteer work to keep our fees lower.
Where will the financing for the ecovillage come from?
Short-term construction financing has been arranged by Rachel Carson Ecovillage with Dollar Bank. The construction loan is paid off over the construction period as each individual unit is purchased (closed on) by the individual owners.
Each owner makes a 20% deposit upon selecting a unit and signing the corresponding sales agreement. This deposit is applied to the cost of the unit at closing. Any additional financing (e.g., mortgage) needed to purchase the unit and any improvements will be the responsibility of the individual homeowner. Each owner can choose their own financial institution for any needed financing.
If I can’t afford to buy a unit, is it possible to rent?
Yes! All or part of several units will be available for rental (rates to be determined by owner not RCE). Some founders are already committed to co-purchase and several Explorer members are interested in co-purchase with one or more compatible buyers. All non-owner residents will have all the same community rights and responsibilities as owners, except in matters relating to expenditure of money.
Will there be a selection process for membership?
No. Experience has shown that self-selection is the best way to form a community. The community attracts people who are looking to be active community members. We conduct a meeting with each prospective founding member household to be certain that they are fully prepared for whatever risks they are assuming and for active participation in community decision-making.
How do people join the Ecovillage? What does it cost?
Please refer to the “Become a Member” section of the website, which explains the three-step “path” to membership: Inquirer→Explorer→ Founder. Fees paid are non-refundable because they are used to cover the costs of developing the project. However, they are counted toward the cost of each household’s unit. Once we are living in the community, we may offer associate memberships to non- residents interested in participating in meals and other activities.
How is risk managed in the development of the Ecovillage?
Without a developer, risk is shared by the founding members. The risks in developing cohousing are mostly related to acquiring property, the governmental/regulatory approvals to build on the property, and attracting enough prospective owners financially committed to the Ecovillage to obtain bank financing. These hurdles are essentially behind us. The main outstanding risk is selling the remaining units. More than 75% of units are already financially committed to by their prospective owners (signed sales agreements and at least 20% downpayment) and we have an active group of Explorer members considering purchase. Each unit sold reduces the risk further.
What are the advantages to committing to Founder Membership early?
Unit selection order is determined by the date which you join as a Founder. The earlier you commit to buying a unit, the closer you are to the front of the line in unit selection. One other advantage is that the earlier you come into the group, the more opportunity you have to be a part of the planning.
When will I be able to select my unit?
After you have completed the preliminary steps for becoming a Founder member, you will be eligible to sign a unit reservation and make the required deposit. This will entitle you to choose your unit from those still available.
Who will build the project?
In high-performance design, the contractor is an essential part of the planning team. We selected Jendoco Construction Corporation to assist us with the design process, and Hardt Construction for the onsite work on the basis of the quality and cost-effectiveness of their past projects, recommendations from clients, their capabilities in high-performance construction, and their interest in the project.
Who is RCE’s professional design team?
Our multi-disciplinary team includes architects/landscape architects (evolveEA), civil engineers (Civil and Environmental Consultants), ecological designers (Fourth River Workers Guild and Larry Weaner Landscape Associates), building performance consultants (AUROS Group), constructability and costing (Jendoco and Hardy), and offsite fabricators (Blueprint Robotics).