The structure of the land ownership in the four-home subdivision is unique to the island as it’s organized as a condominium. It’s important to understand the structure of the land ownership and use as both your lender, if any, and your appraiser may be lacking experience working with this framework.

The condominium is the Valley Road Farm Condominium which was organized in 2004 as the basis for the development. There are three levels of ownership and use. This map shows the development. First, the unit, in this case Unit A, is a piece of property that is owned fee-simple and includes the house. On the unit owners are free to do what they want subject only to the rules in the Declaration of Condominium and review by the owners’ association. For Unit A, the unit has dimensions of 53.5 feet by 110 feet for an area of 6,046 square feet.

The next level of ownership and use is the Limited Common Element. This is an area that is owned by the condominium but is dedicated to the use of the unit. This is the area where the light agriculture is envisioned to happen. In this area building is restricted to farming activities so greenhouses, garden sheds, trellises, etc. are fine. The limited common area is most of the land you have direct access to and control over. For Unit A, the limited common element has dimensions of 172 feet by 213 feet and fully contains Unit A making the total area 36,636 square feet or .841 acre.

The final level of ownership is the Common Element which is owned by the condominium and which use is shared by all the units. This area consists of Valley Heights Cir NE, the central wooded island, and the meadow and woods bordering the north and northwest part of the development. Most of the units casually encroach on the common element for things like driveway access or continuity of landscaping.

The condominium Owners’ Association is the governing body with each unit providing one officer. The terms of office are unspecified. Typically, a new owner will be given the Vice President role, which doesn’t really do much, to give the new owner a chance to see how everything works. Meetings are on an as-needed basis except for an annual meeting, usually in November.

I encourage you to read the condo declaration and by-laws  to familiarize yourself with the organization. Of course, if you, your lender, or appraiser have any questions I’ll be happy to help.

Right now, the other owners are: Unit B – Ron Peltier and Polly Longworth, Unit C – Mary Heckman, and Unit D – Marilyn Ostergren and Beck Tench. You will have an opportunity to meet all of them as part of the purchase process.