After "How does buying in work?" the question we hear most at info sessions is a simple one: What will it cost?
It deserves a clear answer. Buying at Rooted Northwest isn't quite like buying a house in a subdivision. You're buying a home and a share of a village: 240 acres of forest, trails and farmland, a Common House and the shared spaces that come with cohousing.
This post walks through what homes are expected to cost, what your home price includes, and what monthly HOA dues are expected to cover. Some details are still being finalized, so we’ve noted where numbers are current estimates.
Home Prices
Homes at Rooted Northwest are currently projected to start in the high $800,00s
That price buys more than a house. Along with your energy-efficient home, you'll share ownership of:
240 acres of protected forest, meadow, trails, and working farmland, with more than 85% kept as farmland and open space
A Common House, currently designed with a shared kitchen and pantry, dining area, living room, kids’ play area, multi-use space, laundry and mail room, plus porches and a patio for gathering outside
A walkable village designed for connection, with farms just beyond your front door
Village One offers six home plans, from two-bedroom townhouses to four-bedroom single-family homes:
| Plan | Type | Bedrooms / Baths | Approx. sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Townhouse | 2 / 1.5 | 987 |
| B | Townhouse | 2 / 2 | 1,228 |
| C | Townhouse | 3 / 2.5 | 1,355 |
| D | Townhouse | 4 / 2 | 1,597 |
| E | Duplex, single level | 2 / 1.5 | 1,032 |
| F | Single family, single story | 4 / 2.5 | 1,915 to 1,956 |
Square footage is approximate and subject to change. Join us for an info session or contact us to see the full floor plans and current pricing for each home.
How Buying In Works
Buying into a community before it’s built works a little differently from a typical home purchase. Katie McCamant, our development consultant, explains the process in Buying into Rooted NW: How Does It Work?.
Want to talk through your own situation? Schedule a discovery call or call us directly at 360.564.5848, and we’ll walk you through how reserving a home works.
Monthly HOA Dues
Rooted Northwest’s monthly HOA dues are currently estimated at $500 to $700. They’re expected to cover:
Building insurance and exterior maintenance
Water and septic
Electricity
High-speed internet
Garbage and recycling pickup
Reserves for long-term repair and maintenance of the buildings and grounds
These are current estimates, and the HOA budget will be finalized as community planning continues. Reach out anytime for the latest numbers.
What Shared Amenities Can Replace
A traditional home asks each household to own and maintain everything on its own. In cohousing, some of those costs are shared. When you look at your budget, consider what you may no longer need to pay for separately:
Extra living and play space. A shared kids’ room, play area, multi-use room and living room in the Common House mean your own home doesn't need to hold everything.
Space for large gatherings. Host a birthday dinner or holiday meal in the Common House kitchen and dining room, without needing a bigger house to do it.
Trails and open space. Miles of trails through forest and farmland start at your door, with no drive to a trailhead.
Laundry. The Common House includes a shared laundry room, and an in-home washer and dryer is optional in every plan.
Gear storage and outdoor space. The site plan includes a future bike barn and kayak shed built by the community, plus gardens, a pond and a barn.
Shared spaces you help create. Future amenities aren’t set in stone. Community members help dream up and build new shared spaces together, and ideas being discussed now include a pottery room, a woodworking room and shared tool storage.
Fresh local food close to home. Working farms on the land grow produce, herbs and flowers you can buy through a CSA share or the farm store.
Energy costs. Every home is designed with energy-efficient HVAC to help keep utility bills down.
Everyday sharing with neighbors. Borrow tools or canning equipment instead of buying your own, swap babysitting with families a few doors down and carpool into town.
Shared space also means each home can be sized for how you actually live, rather than for the few days a year you need extra room.
Co-Buying: Another Way to Afford a Home
Some households choose to buy together. With co-buying, two or more people purchase a home and each holds a legal share of ownership. Each owner is on the title and shares in any equity the home gains over time.
The four-bedroom, single-story Plan F home is designed to work well for groups of two to four co-buyers, with private bedrooms and open shared living space.
Co-buyers also share monthly costs like HOA dues and upkeep. Contact us to learn how this home and floor plan can be set up for your group.
Co-buyers can be friends, family or people you meet through Rooted Northwest, and we're happy to connect you with co-buying experts as you explore the details.
To read how three women co-bought a home here, see Co-Buying Brings Together Three Women at Rooted Northwest.
Other Costs to Plan For
As with any home purchase, budget for the usual costs of owning a home:
Closing costs
Property taxes
Insurance for the inside of your home and your belongings, similar to renters insurance (the HOA is expected to cover building insurance and exterior maintenance)
A mortgage broker can help you estimate your full monthly cost based on your situation.
Talk Through the Numbers With Us
Every household's situation is different, and we're happy to walk through yours.
Start with an info session to see current pricing and floor plans and bring your first questions about cost and buying. If you'd rather talk one-on-one, schedule a discovery call or reach us directly at 360.564.5848.
When you’re ready to go deeper, become an Explorer. For $215, over a typically 30 to 90 days, you’ll sit down with a member of our Finance Circle for an in-depth conversation about every part of the cost and the buying process.
You’ll also join the community’s Slack and village gatherings, get open access to the land and get to know future residents one-on-one. It’s a simple way to see whether Rooted Northwest is the right fit before you decide to buy.
