All Forum Posts by: John C.

Sure Steve, "microsoft office live" offers up a free website, designer, hosting, etc, even a domain name for free. A while back I created a website using it, before that I was using godaddy with a $4/month fee for 1 or 2 pages - that was awful, and bad value.

Anyhow, my free office live page is here: [REMOVED]

Since then others have gotten into the free web service, namely google. I'm a co-contributer too on a free google site, google is a better platform that office live.

I've heard good things about VRBO but just can't fork over the $350 they want yearly, yet.

To OP: Involved but not as primary, maybe third or fourth down the line.

1. use an automated booking service that is inserted into our website, costs $7/month, but I like the auto process. Used to screen but ended up doing more screening than booking.

2. no management company, family takes care of it.

3. use craigslist only and a free website through microsoft that drives a lot of searches & bookings. Might average 50% occupancy thru the year.

Hi P WN, yes, as a conditional use a campground may be permitted. It something we've considered, the review process from the county is quite extensive and back in 2006 they were almost anti-development, things might have changed a little since then.

I know what you mean about the motorized vs the non-motorized. Either side can get out of hand. We go through the same stuff in the mountains with the snowmobilers vs cross country skiers -- I was actually part of a group that helped moderate the concerns from both sides. I feel that a middle ground is the best when it comes to recreation, all sports are valid forms of fun. From our property we've hiked, 4x4'd, rode motorcycles and just camped. I'd definitely let any prospective buyer (or lease holder) know that mindset.

In looking at other shared ownership resorts I've seen language that permits continuous living for up to 240 days, after that you have to take off for a couple weeks. I'd encourage this land as a stop-off for the many snowbirds that inhabit the western deserts November through April. The searing hot desert along with rules would help curb permanent living.

Hi Jon, your info has been very helpful -- the ballpark estimates especially.

$25K for a private placement isn't bad, but pricey for just approaching people I already know. (I already do that with a phone call or email) A million just to get the IPO ball rolling won't happen - I guess the small time investor doesn't really participate legally in these types of ventures. Most of my investors aren't ever accredited, not my niche.

I know that TIC is another way, but my county already threatened me with a lawsuit if I proceeded with that route.

Well, maybe this is the deal that isn't done... at least the way I was trying for. I'm going to look into a land co-op, land leases, and conservation easements.

Hi Don, I'll give it my best for the next 50 years, after that it would be passed on to our kids -- if they hang onto country living and don't get caught up in the city glitz/glamour. (or rat race depending on how you see it)

Buyers will own a share in the corporation - so no individual tax bills.

Has anyone here sold member shares to a corporation? Was just wondering if that's something I can do myself with a contract or is it a completely different process.

As far as junk goes, there isn't a nearby population that would take the time to drive to dispose of junk. It's a risk raw land owners take everywhere, we've owned land in several spots in CA and never had a problem. But sure, someone might drive out there and have their vehicle/trailer/whatever breakdown. We'll deal with it.

My ideal customer would be a death valley fanatic who wouldn't mind being part of a larger land cooperative. It's definitely a niche, and I'm the first customer.

It's not about a yearly income, more about owning your own affordable slice of heaven (or hell).

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Thanks Jon, hoping someone here might have a lead. I was hoping to avoid the yearly bite of $800, but that's the cost of doing business in CA. (Got to work on not being so cheap.)

Thanks for the reply Jon, I was thinking NV not to save on taxes but just overall formation expenses. But maybe nothing would be saved if registering as a foreign entity is substantial. I'll look into that.

I did see Adrian's thread on the land forum and I'm looking to do this a little differently because this is our vacation spot too. Only a couple hours from our home and my family will be involved with this land far into the future. Besides an Indian reservation a few miles off, this is only 1 of 3 privately owned parcels in a valley of 100's of square miles open to exploration.

Yes, the wilderness overlay onto private land is a unique situation - not sure what congress was (or was not) thinking with that one. Camping and hiking is allowed on wilderness, just not motorized vehicles. I recently hiked across the wilderness portion of the land and found two aged stone circle rings about 6 foot in diameter.

For a while now I've gone back and forth with a plan to put our 160 acre desert homestead into an LLC and sell off member interests with designated camping rights. The land will remain as is without any development promises -- about a third of the property was designated wilderness in 1994 by congress so I plan to adhere (at least that portion) to non-development.

I would like to sell between 160 to 1000 shares of the land owning LLC. The selling I'm comfortable with, it is the structure of the deal that I'm looking for help with. Is it legal? (selling that many interests) Or does a deal like this need to go through Department of Real Estate? And, if it does need to go through DRE review, has anyone here had experience with that or recommendations/referals?

Lastly, we live in CA but spend a lot of time on our farm/orchard in NV. Any benefit to using a NV LLC versus a CA one? One day we might become NV residents for a variety of other reasons.

I have looked around to find information on my own, consulted an attorney, met with county planners, but I'm not really getting anywhere. Any help or advice would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks for taking the time to put your technique out there. I'm going to give it a try by using a corporation and selling partnership interests. I have the feeling it will be fairly involved (and ex$pensive) but my family will be a part of the venture and co-owners.

Awesome! You guys are motiviating me to get started again on a project I thought wasn't workable.

Let us know on the land forum when you post it up Adrian, I'd be very interested in all the details.