We've just learned that a Mariposa Grove cohousing neighbor's home in North Oakland is being sold in a "short sale" by the bank at an incredible price, under $100 a square foot (less than half of the last sale price), with offers due this week; it is available for daytime visits by appointment, and we've arranged for a chance for EBCOHO members to see it and meet some community members this Wednesday evening.

Willow House (free EBCOHO/MeetUp membership & login required to view) has been owned by an Associate Member of Mariposa Grove for several years... it was bought most recently by somebody for that very purpose. It has been linked physically (the properties back up against one another) and socially in many ways, with a great deal of mutual work going into the agreement, and the community hopes to maintain the connection. However, any future relationship is subject to negotiation with the community, and is not guaranteed.

The property is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 3000 square foot home, zoned as a Duplex, with an apartment downstairs with potential rental income. The seller is asking $269,000.

Betsy and I know Bob, the owner, as well as many Mariposa Grove member neighbors and the community's founder. We are as eager as he is to get someone in there who is interested in the community connection - it would be a great loss to both parties to give up the amazing sharing opportunities. However, because he is facilitating a "short sale," he has limited flexibility - the bank may only accept the highest offer, and it could take months before it is known if they'll accept any offer at all.

The Mariposa Grove cohousing neighborhood is a small, retrofit, permanently affordable limited-equity intentional community, similar in some ways to Berkeley Cohousing and Temescal Creek Cohousing, but a little bit earthier, garden-centered, using existing structures that needed a lot of hard work, smaller, arts and justice oriented.

Willow House is available for viewing from 10 AM to 5 PM during the day this week by appointment; offers are due by Friday. Use the Willow House link at the top for contact info. The seller is represented by a Real Estate agent and will share commission with a buyer's agent if you have one.

An EBCOHO MeetUp will take place there this Wednesday evening from 7-8 PM (right after the State of the Union speech concludes) -- serious pre-approved ready-to-move buyers only, RSVP here please, we don't have the time or the space to support folks just coming for a peek (we'll work on scheduling some future events there so you'll have a chance to visit). This is a multistory private home, with many steps involved in visiting the community's Common House, so we don't recommend it for anyone with significant mobility limitations.

We don't have a personal stake in it and we are not licensed real estate agents, but we are available to provide Cohousing Coaching to anyone seriously considering making an offer, sharing info about the community, and some of the potential and challenges of getting connected this way. Please contact us to learn more.