PLEASE NOTE: When homes are for sale, we offer tours as well as Zoom visits for prospective buyers only.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Could you notify me when a unit is available or put me on a waiting list?
We do not have someone available to send notifications and do not have a waiting list. The sale of each unit is handled by the owner or their agent, not Sand River. Please check the For Sale tab for current listings of available homes.
2. Do you have any units available for rent?
The rental of a unit is managed by the unit’s owner, not Sand River. If a unit comes up for rent, the owner will likely place a listing on the Sand River website’s For Sale tab. We have a limit on the number of units that can be rented at the same time and we do not allow short-term rentals (less than 30 days). There is a one-year wait before new residents are eligible to rent their homes.
3. How do I find out if a unit is for sale?
Check the For Sale tab of the Sand River website. When an owner wishes to place their unit on the market, there will be a listing on this tab with full contact information. Interested buyers are advised to check this tab regularly.
4. Is Sand River a condominium association or a cohousing community?
Legally, we are organized as a condominium association and are subject to the condominium laws of New Mexico. However, Sand River is also an intentional community that is self-governing and self-maintaining. We are not an assisted-living facility. We strive to build a community in which all of us know, cooperate with, and respect each other. We hold social events, work days, and business meetings. Each of us gives to the community according to our skills and interests.
5. What do you mean by "fifty-five or over"?
Sand River Cohousing is intended for residents who are at least fifty-five years of age. Consequently, the governing documents of our community specify age restrictions in order to uphold that intention. Please see the Summary of Age Restrictions for more information. Please note that we are not an assisted-living facility. We are active elders who choose cohousing for the benefits of living in community and participating fully in the life of Sand River.
6. What are the obligations of Sand River residents?
Our success as a self-managed cohousing community relies on residents engaging in community activities and responsibilities. There are many ways a resident can participate, include cooking community meals, maintaining the common grounds, giving tours of the community, serving on the Board, updating the community website, performing minor repairs of the Common House, coordinating use of the guest room, and more. After settling in, new residents are encouraged to see where their interests and skills can be used. We believe the strength and health of the community depends on full and enthusiastic participation by its members.
7. What do you mean by “green” and “sustainable”?
Being green and sustainable is one of the shared values of Sand River residents. In creating a more ecologically friendly and sustainable lifestyle, we:
8. How much does a unit cost?
The price of a unit is set by the seller and can vary according to size, condition, features, and market conditions. In the more recent past, units sold in the range of $300,000 to $410,000.
9. How does Sand River govern itself?
We use a modified-consensus model or supermajority voting to make decisions. We are organized into various teams who manage specific areas, such as Landscape, Buildings & Grounds, Meals, and Well Being. Teams make decisions that affect their specific areas while bigger issues are brought to the community via proposals presented at our community business meetings. We have a Board of Directors to provide legal oversight as well as a Finance Committee to plan and manage our budget, and a Covenants Committee to regulate external modifications in line with the Covenants of Sand River.
10. What type of ownership does a Sand River owner have?
Units and their limited-common elements, such as backyards and portals, are individually owned and maintained by the unit owner. In addition, each owner enjoys shared ownership and responsibility of common elements, such as the common house, walkways, and other outdoor areas.
11. Do you have any units designated as “affordable”?
There are several affordable units for those who are financially eligible. When any of these units are listed, they are identified as such on the For Sale tab of our website. For more information about affordable housing options in Santa Fe, please visit Homewise, The Housing Trust, and the City of Santa Fe's Office of Affordable Housing.
12. How much are homeowner’s fees?
Dues are based on the size of the unit. As of 2024, they range from $250 to $315 per month. As part of the yearly budgeting process, they are re-evaluated and therefore are subject to change. All owners, including those in affordable units, are responsible for paying homeowner’s dues.
13. What are the units at Sand River like?
Our twenty-eight units are arranged in two-unit duplexes with a shared wall. Duplexes are configured in quads of four units, sharing a walkway. Each unit is single-story with a spacious kitchen-living area, one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces. Interior and exterior living spaces are maintained by the owner. Download floor plans.
14. Are pets allowed?
We welcome pets and responsible pet ownership. Residents are permitted to have up to 2 cats or dogs per household. Pets are not permitted to be free-roaming by City of Santa Fe ordinance.
15. Where are you located?
We are in the southern part of Santa Fe, with easy access to walking trails, stores, and other services.
We do not have someone available to send notifications and do not have a waiting list. The sale of each unit is handled by the owner or their agent, not Sand River. Please check the For Sale tab for current listings of available homes.
2. Do you have any units available for rent?
The rental of a unit is managed by the unit’s owner, not Sand River. If a unit comes up for rent, the owner will likely place a listing on the Sand River website’s For Sale tab. We have a limit on the number of units that can be rented at the same time and we do not allow short-term rentals (less than 30 days). There is a one-year wait before new residents are eligible to rent their homes.
3. How do I find out if a unit is for sale?
Check the For Sale tab of the Sand River website. When an owner wishes to place their unit on the market, there will be a listing on this tab with full contact information. Interested buyers are advised to check this tab regularly.
4. Is Sand River a condominium association or a cohousing community?
Legally, we are organized as a condominium association and are subject to the condominium laws of New Mexico. However, Sand River is also an intentional community that is self-governing and self-maintaining. We are not an assisted-living facility. We strive to build a community in which all of us know, cooperate with, and respect each other. We hold social events, work days, and business meetings. Each of us gives to the community according to our skills and interests.
5. What do you mean by "fifty-five or over"?
Sand River Cohousing is intended for residents who are at least fifty-five years of age. Consequently, the governing documents of our community specify age restrictions in order to uphold that intention. Please see the Summary of Age Restrictions for more information. Please note that we are not an assisted-living facility. We are active elders who choose cohousing for the benefits of living in community and participating fully in the life of Sand River.
6. What are the obligations of Sand River residents?
Our success as a self-managed cohousing community relies on residents engaging in community activities and responsibilities. There are many ways a resident can participate, include cooking community meals, maintaining the common grounds, giving tours of the community, serving on the Board, updating the community website, performing minor repairs of the Common House, coordinating use of the guest room, and more. After settling in, new residents are encouraged to see where their interests and skills can be used. We believe the strength and health of the community depends on full and enthusiastic participation by its members.
7. What do you mean by “green” and “sustainable”?
Being green and sustainable is one of the shared values of Sand River residents. In creating a more ecologically friendly and sustainable lifestyle, we:
- Are smoke-free and fragrance-free.
- Maintain our grounds organically and avoid the use of harmful pesticides.
- Support a sustainable habitat with pollinator-friendly plants and practices.
- Recycle and compost.
- Enjoy living in homes that meet energy-efficient LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) criteria.
- Benefit from the use of solar with roughly 40% of us generating our own electricity.
- Conserve water via permaculture drainage design and rainwater harvesting.
8. How much does a unit cost?
The price of a unit is set by the seller and can vary according to size, condition, features, and market conditions. In the more recent past, units sold in the range of $300,000 to $410,000.
9. How does Sand River govern itself?
We use a modified-consensus model or supermajority voting to make decisions. We are organized into various teams who manage specific areas, such as Landscape, Buildings & Grounds, Meals, and Well Being. Teams make decisions that affect their specific areas while bigger issues are brought to the community via proposals presented at our community business meetings. We have a Board of Directors to provide legal oversight as well as a Finance Committee to plan and manage our budget, and a Covenants Committee to regulate external modifications in line with the Covenants of Sand River.
10. What type of ownership does a Sand River owner have?
Units and their limited-common elements, such as backyards and portals, are individually owned and maintained by the unit owner. In addition, each owner enjoys shared ownership and responsibility of common elements, such as the common house, walkways, and other outdoor areas.
11. Do you have any units designated as “affordable”?
There are several affordable units for those who are financially eligible. When any of these units are listed, they are identified as such on the For Sale tab of our website. For more information about affordable housing options in Santa Fe, please visit Homewise, The Housing Trust, and the City of Santa Fe's Office of Affordable Housing.
12. How much are homeowner’s fees?
Dues are based on the size of the unit. As of 2024, they range from $250 to $315 per month. As part of the yearly budgeting process, they are re-evaluated and therefore are subject to change. All owners, including those in affordable units, are responsible for paying homeowner’s dues.
13. What are the units at Sand River like?
Our twenty-eight units are arranged in two-unit duplexes with a shared wall. Duplexes are configured in quads of four units, sharing a walkway. Each unit is single-story with a spacious kitchen-living area, one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces. Interior and exterior living spaces are maintained by the owner. Download floor plans.
14. Are pets allowed?
We welcome pets and responsible pet ownership. Residents are permitted to have up to 2 cats or dogs per household. Pets are not permitted to be free-roaming by City of Santa Fe ordinance.
15. Where are you located?
We are in the southern part of Santa Fe, with easy access to walking trails, stores, and other services.