Traveling back from Iowa I'm possessed of a creative frenzy. The madness that can only come from listening to the thoughts in my own head for endless hours of driving. It's no wonder Van Gogh cut off his own ear. He was tired of hearing voices. For him, the mad whisperings of the Muse were (according to History) worth it - I can only hope that mine are even half as good, or at least not completely insipid. I'd like to get something for my therapy sessions, thank you.

So I've thought up at least 2 schemes for potentially turning a profit: number 1) a targeted condo development in Polson that takes advantage of the proximity of health services, a decent view, and a walkable distance to town center and the health food store. Number 2) going around Eastern Montana and Western South and North Dakota and ripping down old barns for the lumber (for flooring). Think of this idea as harvesting lost wood; not as lucrative as pulling submerged logs out of the Mississippi, but not yet discovered. There was a hidden third scheme - writing a book - but it has a poor chance of completion and less chance of a lucrative return on time vested. Still....

Today I look in depth at plan 1...
Get Rich Slow Plan 1 - Ravendell
Can one develop a eco-friendly, socially-just village and sell it for a decent profit? That is the challenge. Perhaps the key is going for uniqueness - after all, repurposing old, used goods is certainly low-impact and low-cost, but the "opportunity" cost is less attractive fixtures, essentials that are in-turn harder to maintain/replace in-kind. Add in the market conditions found today and a low-entry project runs the risk of having high ongoing costs while waiting for investors and buyers. So the key is going to be getting enough people sufficiently interested and vested in the project (i.e. earnest money) to mitigate the risk.

1. Come up with a saleable vision - green, focused on an under-served niche market, location, amenities
2. Differentiate the vision from the competition - HOA per person/home that focuses on serving the long-term interests of the association (first right of refusal to buy), theme (real, not marketing) of extended family, Mondragon cooperative ideals (keep it small, keep it focused on community house, let members get first shot as hired help if they wish)
3. Create an affordable plan
4. Find investors - both public and private
5. Find and buy land with investor money - for plan to work, ongoing opex expenses must be limited to taxes and permits on undeveloped land
6. Find buyers
7. Find builder
8. Build
9. Sell
10. Repeat if successful, goal is to create a repeatable business

Groups to sell to: middle-class (by price) friends, groups of women, life-transition (empty nesters). For this location we think targeting early-senior women is good.