The Development Management Services deal with the physical structure and process: finding a site, working with the regulatory authorities, setting up the financial and legal structures, coordinating the design and construction process.

Initiation Phase

• Work with the group to conceptualize the structure that will act as the group's development entity for the Project.
• Provide model documents for organization, membership, legal structure, decision making and governance.
• Work with the group to help define and select the professional team that will be needed to develop the Project.
• Educate the group regarding their role as developer. Provide an overview from initial meetings to moving in.

Site Selection

• Work with the group to evaluate potential sites to determine if they meet the group's goals and objectives. Develop conceptual site accommodation studies.
• Receive the group's programmatic information and generate preliminary project budget analysis on the sites that meet the group's program requirements.
• Negotiate with property owner to gain control of property during the Project Feasibility study.

Feasibility Phase

• Conduct a market study and establish the estimated purchase price for each home.
• Prepare a preliminary financial plan including the project budget, total costs, cash flow, pricing, down payment and loan requirements.
• Assess the feasibility of the project by meeting with the municipal and other government agencies to investigate pertinent issues.

Project Approvals Phase

• Provide ongoing project management to coordinate all activities and communication between the group, professional team and public agencies.
• Create, monitor and update project schedules and budgets through the life of the project.
• Help the group to summarize design needs and communicate design feedback to the architect.
• Provide recommendations to the group about budget issues during all phases of the design.
• Provide recommendations to the group about unit mix, size, and general layout of the building as it relates to cost and marketability.
• Coordinate communication with the Planning Department to ensure that the design will meet zoning requirements.
• Negotiate variances and relaxations to the zoning requirements (if applicable) that will more adequately accommodate the needs of a cohousing development.
• Provide information about how to incorporate design features that support the concepts of Cohousing
• Work with the town and government agencies to obtain all necessary project approvals.

Development Phase

• Help negotiate the appropriate contract with a builder.
• Negotiate with the development lender and represent the community development corporation in negotiating and closing on the development loans. Coordinate the flow of financial information to the construction lender.
• Recommend the pricing structure for the project so that pricing for individual homes is on a fair and equitable basis.
• Help the group to determine standard finishings and option procedures.
• Assist households in arranging homeowner financing.
• Help prepare Homeowners budget for monthly maintenance fees.

Project Construction Phase

• Manage the development and construction loans for the group, including draws, releases and general bookkeeping required.
• Oversee construction contractor, ensure that work is being carried out in an appropriate and timely manner. Review and comment on billing requests. Coordinate communication between contractor and the group.
• Keep the group informed about decisions that need to be made during each phase of the construction process.

Project Completion

• Coordinate closing and move-in procedures.
• Manage construction loan pay-out.
• Work with the group to identify deficiencies and define holdback requirements.
• Help the group define protocols for dealing with warranty and maintenance issues.
• Prepare financial information as required to allow the cohousing group to take over management of the project.