Frequently Asked Questions
How can I indicate my interest in buying a house when one becomes available?
Putney Commons has an on-going vetting process for persons interested in being in a pool for priority referral to owners/heirs when a house is ready to change hands. Owners are asked to give priority consideration to these vetted candidates during a 60-day period before putting the house in the hands of a realtor. We are committed to finding members who truly want community as well as an energy-efficient, small, single-story home.
Our vetting process has five steps:
A phone conversation with Elizabeth Christie (she is tasked with responding to inquiries) , arranged in advance by email.
A visit to Putney Commons and a tour, including the interiors of several homes and briefly meeting several owners, as well as seeing some of the land.
Attendance at two of our monthly meetings via Zoom or in person, to get to know us and how we work by consensus.
If you are still interested, we arrange a special in-person meeting with all of us so that we can ask and answer each others’ questions.
You reflect on your interest and get back in touch with us, and we share our response.
We invite you to contact us if you want to start the vetting process.
What sort of people are you seeking?
People of all ages interested in living in a friendly green neighborhood in Putney village. In our experience, consensus decision-making develops our ability to work collaboratively.
Our Book of Commons v.5 spells out our intention in living together on this land. Members share responsibility for stewardship of our land and homes. We continue to evolve, influenced by our members’ particular interests and talents.
What does it cost to live at Putney Commons?
a) Our current homeowners fee of $245 monthly covers the following: insurance on external structures; road maintenance; external building maintenance; landscaping, mowing and vegetable garden expenses; snow plowing; trash and land maintenance; publicity; and a reserve fund.
b) Each owner also carries a standard condominium insurance policy and pays Putney town taxes of approximately $7,000 per year [as of 2022]. Our current homes vary in size from 1100 to 1500 sq.ft. Property tax adjustments may be granted, depending on income.
c) Four of the eight homes rely on solar panels connected to the utility grid: these accounts receive credits for a surplus of electrical energy. Vermont’s net metering system encourages customers to generate their own solar energy credits.
d) The fourth category of expenses is for water & sewer, town services that average $240 per quarter, and propane if desired. (Currently two houses are all electric.)
How can I arrange a visit to Putney Commons?
Please fill out our contact form.
How can I indicate my interest in buying a house when one becomes available?
Putney Commons has an on-going vetting process for persons interested in being in a pool for priority referral to owners/heirs when a house is ready to change hands. Owners are asked to give priority consideration to these vetted candidates during a 60-day period before putting the house in the hands of a realtor. We are committed to finding members who truly want community as well as an energy-efficient, small, single-story home.
Our vetting process has five steps:
A phone conversation with Elizabeth Christie (she is tasked with responding to inquiries) , arranged in advance by email.
A visit to Putney Commons and a tour, including the interiors of several homes and briefly meeting several owners, as well as seeing some of the land.
Attendance at two of our monthly meetings via Zoom or in person, to get to know us and how we work by consensus.
If you are still interested, we arrange a special in-person meeting with all of us so that we can ask and answer each others’ questions.
You reflect on your interest and get back in touch with us, and we share our response.
We invite you to contact us if you want to start the vetting process.
What sort of people are you seeking?
People of all ages interested in living in a friendly green neighborhood in Putney village. In our experience, consensus decision-making develops our ability to work collaboratively.
Our Book of Commons v.5 spells out our intention in living together on this land. Members share responsibility for stewardship of our land and homes. We continue to evolve, influenced by our members’ particular interests and talents.
What does it cost to live at Putney Commons?
a) Our current homeowners fee of $245 monthly covers the following: insurance on external structures; road maintenance; external building maintenance; landscaping, mowing and vegetable garden expenses; snow plowing; trash and land maintenance; publicity; and a reserve fund.
b) Each owner also carries a standard condominium insurance policy and pays Putney town taxes of approximately $7,000 per year [as of 2022]. Our current homes vary in size from 1100 to 1500 sq.ft. Property tax adjustments may be granted, depending on income.
c) Four of the eight homes rely on solar panels connected to the utility grid: these accounts receive credits for a surplus of electrical energy. Vermont’s net metering system encourages customers to generate their own solar energy credits.
d) The fourth category of expenses is for water & sewer, town services that average $240 per quarter, and propane if desired. (Currently two houses are all electric.)
How can I arrange a visit to Putney Commons?
Please fill out our contact form.