- How can I become a Resident?
Units do not come up for sale or rental often but when they do, they will be announced to Linden Friends first. We highly recommend visiting our Email Us page to learn more about Becoming A Friend of Linden. We periodically offer tours, and these are announced to Friends as well. - What are the sizes of units and what do they come with?
Units range in size from 1 to 3 bedrooms. Each one has a balcony. All units have hookups for a washer and dryer. Some of the 3 bedroom units have 2 bathrooms but all have at least 1. Each unit has one parking space down in our underground garage. Units range in square footage from 669 to 1513 sq feet. - How much do units cost?
When we moved into the building in 2019, market-rate prices for units ranged from $195,000 for 1-bedrooms, to $390,000 for the 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom units. Prices have increased since then. The most recent sale of a 1-bedroom in spring 2024 was over $350,000. - Is there any purchasing assistance for lower-income buyers?
Yes! Linden Cohousing has permanently made 25% of our 45 units available only for buyers who make 80% or less of the City of Madison’s Adjusted Median Income (AMI) rate (2018 document on this).- Our bylaws state that owners of these AMI-restricted units, when they choose to sell, may only sell for what they paid for the unit, plus 2% of the sale price for each year they have lived there.
- For instance, someone who purchased an AMI unit at $175,000 in 2019, then sold in 2024, would be able to sell at a maximum price of 2 percent times 5 years, so 10%. The max price they could ask for is $192,500. We hope this will allow these units to remain affordable for as long as Linden Cohousing exists.
- What are the HOA dues?
All owners pay dues which cover preparing for necessary maintenance in the future, emergency funds, and shared utilities (water, for instance, is not metered by unit – we have two big water heaters in our basement). Dues are based on square footage.- Monthly rates as of 2024 are 26 cents per sq foot.
- Are there required work hours?
No – not required, but of course encouraged because it takes many hands to run a community without a property management company running the scenes and making a profit. There are many opportunities to join committees and groups at Linden that fit all types of interests and abilities; it’s a core part of our Governing Together mindset. - Is cohousing a commune? How much privacy do residents have?
Unlike a commune, cohousing owners have their own, privately-owned living spaces (Units) with kitchens and bathrooms. However, we have lots of common spaces (cozy couch spaces, guest rooms, laundry rooms on each floor, a fitness center, arts & crafts room, kitchen, and more) that are all collectively owned by all owners. Our internal website has means of reserving the common spaces in most scenarios. But residents can always retreat to the privacy of their own homes if they want. - Are pets allowed?
Certainly – as mentioned above, each unit belongs to their owner. Our current bylaws state that each unit is allowed to own 3 or fewer dogs and/or cats, and any number of smaller animals as long as their presence does not become a nuisance to other residents.
