How OurLands Works
From joining a community to owning your land — here's a clear, step-by-step guide to the entire process, the legal structure, and how your share is protected.
How it happens
Your Path to Land Ownership
From curiosity to ownership, in the order it actually happens.
It starts with curiosity
Land we're curious about, not committed to.
- Nature-rich places with accessible pricing
- Flexible land use, and a setting that could support shared life
- Nothing is purchased at this stage
Community comes before structure
Ambassadors invite people from a world they're already part of.
- Each ambassador invites people from a specific world or cause
- We look for resonance, not numbers
The waitlist helps us listen
How present people want to be, and what's realistic.
- How many people, and how present: full-time, part-time or seasonal
- What's financially realistic
- What kind of community people hope for
A working budget
A model, not a commitment.
- A rough land price range
- How many people the land might support
- Shared costs, contributions and basic infrastructure
The land fits the people
Acreage, shared and personal space, how many members it can hold.
- Acreage that fits the group
- Shared versus personal space
- How many members the land can comfortably hold
Structure, only when it feels right
The LLC, shares, duties and exits, documented up front.
- A dedicated LLC for the property, which members join together
- Shares, use rights, duties and exit paths, documented up front
If it doesn't come together
Nothing is purchased and no one is locked in.
- We pause and adjust
- We may choose a different property
- Or we let it go
Open to Everyone
Who Can Participate
OurLands is designed to be inclusive. No credit checks. What we ask for is a commitment to the place and to the standards members agree to.
Anyone 18+ regardless of credit history
Individuals, couples, and families
People who want time on the land, full-time, part-time or seasonal
Anyone committed to community and land stewardship
Legal Structure
Ownership & Structure
Understanding exactly how land ownership works — who owns what, how your rights are protected, and what happens if you decide to leave.
Community LLC
Holds the land title and manages shared assets
Each member receives
Your Membership
Exclusive parcel rights + voting power + exit rights
Financial Model
How It's Funded
Complete transparency on where the money comes from, how it's used, and what your financial commitment looks like.
Member Contributions
On the example parcel, each member starts with a $159 down payment and repays the rest of their share over ten years at the seller's fixed rate, plus a flat $1.75 monthly membership fee. Your monthly share is shown before you commit. Dues for taxes, insurance and filings pass through at cost.
Strategic Partnerships
We work with land trusts, sustainable development organizations, and impact funders who share our vision of accessible land ownership.
Infrastructure Funding
Larger improvements (roads, wells, shared spaces) are funded through a combination of member assessments, grants, and partner funding. Members vote on all major expenditures.
Your share, by the numbers (example parcel)
Financial model may evolve as communities grow. All changes require member approval.
Community Governance
How Decisions Are Made
Your voice matters. Every community is built on democratic principles with clear structures for decision-making and conflict resolution.
Democratic Decision-Making
Major decisions are made through member votes. Each member gets one vote regardless of when they joined. Routine matters are handled by elected community representatives.
Transparent Rules
Every community has a clear Operating Agreement that outlines rules, responsibilities, and processes. Members review and approve these documents before joining.
Conflict Resolution
Disagreements are handled through a structured process: direct conversation first, then mediation by the ambassador, and if needed, formal arbitration as outlined in the Operating Agreement.
Member Protections
No single person — including OurLands — can override member rights. The LLC structure ensures that every participant's stake is legally protected and their voice matters.
Project Roadmap
Where We Are Now
A clear view of the project's stages — what's been accomplished, what's happening now, and what's coming next.
Community Formation
Ambassador recruitment, community vision development, member waitlist opens. Members connect and answer the five questions together: what do we have, know, love and miss, and what can we do about it?
Land Scouting & Selection
Identify candidate properties, conduct due diligence, members vote on final selection. Site visits organized for interested members.
Land Acquisition
LLC formation, legal documentation, land purchase closing. Members finalize their parcel selections and receive membership agreements.
Development & Building
Infrastructure planning, shared amenities development, members begin building on their parcels. Community gatherings and governance structures established.
Timeline is approximate and may vary by community. We'll keep members updated on progress at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions from real people. If you don't find your answer here, reach out — we're happy to talk.