Phil Shenke

Man, the level of negativity here is kind of surprising, especially since I've read various threads here that talk about the "love" and about the site being for the designed for people who were sensitive and tender.

Yes, we are still moving forward, and have interest from a few sources which would fund most, if not all of this.  At some point, hopefully soon, I can divulge more information, but due to a non-disclosure agreement, I cannot release anything else yet.  

Franky, I'm surprised no one has figured out what we're doing, I figured it would be obvious.  

To all who have written, I thank you for taking the time.  We have your info, and will touch base with every single person that's contacted us once we know more on our end.  

"The $50 and up underground house" book is fascinating.  

Mark Andersen wrote:I can't speak for anyone else, but the offer from your post seems like this:

-Agree to drop everything on short notice to move to an undisclosed location
-Have plenty of cash
-Pay to build a home and infrastructure out of my pocket, or build someone else's home with their money and my labor
-Pay the taxes on the land
-Once all that is done, at some distant point in time I may be allowed to have partial ownership of the land and buildings.

While it's certainly tempting to work and pay taxes on land someone else owns, with the possibility of someday being able to 'own' what I built, it doesn't exactly seem like a dream arrangement based on what you've written.

On the other hand, if someone wants to come work on my land for a few years I'll also think about someday letting you be a part owner.

You've made a LOT of assumptions on your response, but thank you, so I'll clear these up:

!) No.  Not expecting anyone to "drop everything on short notice"  In fact, just the opposite.  We're planning this out very carefully.

2) "have plenty of cash".  No again.  But one does need to be in a situation where they can afford to do something like this.  HUGE difference.

3) "Pay to build a home and infrastructure out of my pocket, etc":  WRONG again.  The plan is to utilize the resources the land gives us, and to have much of the stuff we need donated.  

4) "Pay the taxes on the land".   Yes, at some point, ANY LAND would have taxes due.  Do you expect to be given free land AND have someone else pay the taxes???  That's a bit ridiculous, don't you think?  

5) As for your last comment, again, completely incorrect.  There will be a very clear and fair contract.  If one joins, then decides to leave and quit, then they wouldn't be a part of the community.  IF they stay, and continue to build and grow with the community, then they end up as an owner.  

Instead of assuming the absolute worst, perhaps ASKING questions instead of ASSUMING you know what then situation is might be more prudent.

A number of folks have contacted me directly about this,.  They see it for what it is.  a POSSIBLE opportunity worth ASKING about, and exploring.  If it goes nowhere, they've lost nothing but a few minutes of their time by asking.

But when you assume the worst, all you see are the negatives, and you loose sight of the opportunities.  But each to their own.  

Unfortunately, I cannot divulge any more info at this time due to a number of reasons, some of them contractual in nature, others due to proprietary reasons.  

While I understand folks concerns, at the same time, it would take someone a few minutes to answer some simple questions, (and they could ask questions, but only one person has bothered to).  

Frankly, if i saw a post offering me an opportunity to get a homestead for little or nothing, I'd be skeptical, but I'd also inquire, because, one never knows, and if, in fact, it is real, it could be a massive opportunity.  But, I take leaps of faith all the time...

Hi Michael,

I guess people aren't interested in it.  We're still moving forward, albeit slowly.  We've put posts up elsewhere, and had good responses, but are open to speaking with anyone who's seriously interested.  Somehow, we thought this might be that place, but so far, I guess not.  

Hi all,

I'm new here, and not sure if this is in the right section or not.  If not, please feel free to move this post to wherever as you see fit.

I'm in the early stages of something that I think might appeal to some folks here, so I thought I'd post and see if there was any interest, and if I'm in the right place.  I think I might be, but not entirely sure.

So, forgive the evasiveness of some of this post, as I cannot yet disclose certain key details for various legality reasons, but I'll reveal what I am allowed to at this point.

We are looking for people who would be seriously interested in joining a homestead that is being built completely from scratch.  There will likely be absolutely nothing on the property, except what is naturally there.  If there IS anything on site that's "man made" it most likely would be suitable for salvaging purposes, or would need extensive repairs.

The land will be fully paid for, you don't have to worry about contributing to the purchase of the land.  Yes, you read that correctly.  

Any person (or family) who is selected and who joins, stays, and successfully homesteads for a certain number of years, will end up owning a part of the property, and will be put on title as an owner.  Certain key pieces of equipment will be provided to the homestead.  You are also welcome to bring whatever items you wish as well, but that would be at your own expense.    

Exact location is yet to be determined, but we have several sites picked out in places like Idaho, Ozark Mountains of Missouri, and some others.  Most likely, we're looking at Idaho, the southern part, in the mountains.  

The property will be at least 50 acres, more likely over 100, and will have a constant, steady water supply, and ample mature trees for harvesting for building purposes.  The property will be remote, but within an hour or two of a major city or mid sized town.

You'd need to bring your skills, labor, and love of doing something, well, life changing and amazing.  You'd also need to be able to afford to do this, as there are certain things that obviously require money... but the property will be paid for entirely.  Taxes would be the responsibility of the participants when those come due, after the first year.  There will be a lengthy official application process, along with a background check, and other requirements to be considered for this opportunity as well.

The question we are trying to determine is, if there is anyone here who would be seriously interested in this.   The key word being SERIOUS, meaning you'd also be able to pack up and come within a few months notice you'd been accepted.  (Of course you'd have an opportunity to talk with and possibly meet the other participants as well.)  Anyone chosen will have the option to leave if they decide it's not for them, but we're trying to find candidates that would see this through as a long term plan and who are serious.

We already have selected several candidates including a builder/mechanic/jack of all trades/ who's married to a nurse practitioner, a veterinarian and her husband who are both retiring, an ex military special forces guy, and a couple of others.  Skills desired would be those with mechanical abilities, gardening, health (doctors, paramedics, etc. always good to have folks on site who know what to do in an emergency), hunting, fishing, animal husbandry, gardening, etc, and the normally expected skills for building a homestead.  

The candidates we seek will not be faint of heart.  This will be extremely difficult, both physically and mentally demanding, and we want candidates with strong minds and relatively healthy bodies who will stick it out until they can get it built.    

No drama wanted or needed, and we don't want people who create drama be being overly sensitive or who need everyone to be "PC".

We do NOT care about your race, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, political beliefs, etc.  We do care about WHO you are as a person.        

Each participant (or "participant family") would be able to select their own area to build, and there would be a communal area where the group can get together and where "shared" items would be stored for the use of the group.  

I realize there will likely be a LOT of questions... and I'll answer them if or when I can.  For now, I simply need to know if anyone here would be seriously interested,

If so, please answer the following questions:

Who are you?  (single, couple, small family..full names not necessary at this time.)

Ages of applicants?  

Skills possessed by you?

What would you bring with you that you currently have?  (Ie, a backhoe, tractors, etc.)

What do you do for work?  How will you generate an income on the homestead?

What state do you currently live in?

What type of home would you build?

Can you afford to do this?  (Ideal candidates will be debt free, so as to ensure that they won't need to quit due to financial obligations.)

There will be more questions on the full applications when we get to that point.  Right now, we are trying to feel it out to see if there's anyone on this site who would be interested, and what the level of said interest is.  As I said earlier, we've already selected several great candidates, we just want a few more.  

If you have questions, I'll answer if I can.  If I don't respond to your particular question, it is because i cannot answer it at this time, but I will glad do so later.

Thank you.  

Phil.