In ... THEORY ... these "community" projects always sound good. A group of people all pool their money to buy some land for ALL of them to use. And all too often the only "agreement" they have between them is verbal based upon their current friendship and shared vision of the moment. But things then change fast. That "shared vision" soon becomes a bunch of different visions - often in conflict with each other.
And how to USE the property and by whom soon becomes a problem. Some people won't invite anybody else to use "their" land, while others will invite almost anybody. It will quickly get to that friend of a friend of a friend said I could use it, and you could show up and not know any of a couple dozen people there. Plus using somebody else's property quickly devolves down to not carring anything about that property and trashing it. (Why pick up your beer cans and candy wrappers - it's not your property) One person invites a friend and tells him that he can use it anytime --- then that friend invites one of his friends telling him the same -- who then invites some of his friends telling them the same -- etc. etc. -- and you will have people show up that none of the original "owners" know!
Then GREED will rear its ugly head! Somebody ... invested ... in the land, now owns their "share", it's worth more money now, and they want to SELL to get that money! Or they want to use the property to Personally Make Money off of it!
Just the conflicts about getting necessary work done on the property will be a big conflict area. Some people tend to do the absolute minimum to get by - waiting for other people to do the work. While some will jump right in to get it done now. Some will be out there all the time working, while others will only show up when almost forced to show up to work. And "skill" levels and the quality of work will vary greatly. There are always those who just want to show up to enjoy themselves - leaving any work and cleanup for others to take care of.
It is sad, but this type of thing happens waaaaay toooooo often! Any joint project like this would need a hard/comprehensive written agreement beforehand! And that will only ... slow down ... the development of problems within the group. I've seen 5 different groups go through this and fall apart - often splitting up life-long friends. So get it in writing BEFORE anybody invests!
I do know several groups that have remained strong and friends over the years with a "shared" property. But those all had a ... benevolent landlord. The only problems they had happened when that owner died and the surviving kids just saw dollar signs in their greed!
So, it would be a worthwhile project. Just go into it with your eyes wide open from the start. Wipe those misty/stary visions from your eyes, and get a well-versed "partnership" lawyer involved from the start.
Good luck with your vision.
Mikey - that grumpy ol' German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands
- who has his own ... scars ...
