I had come up with a shared-space concept awhile ago, that basically works like a private community center with parking, targeted at urban dense-housing residents.  The idea is that members of a co-op who don't have a lot of space at home can own a car, work on projects, or have room to hold get-togethers would pay use-based fees on top of a small membership cost.

In my planning of what to do next in my real-estate projects with shipping containers, it occurred to me that I could use this in a condo/apartment building I would put together: have a shared work and play space. 

People have been doing this recently in Portland with small plexes with shared units and with "artist communities," but none of them seem to serve the tinkerer type by including a workshop.  I'd do it on a smaller scale than the original co-op idea, but it would give each resident amenities without having to build room in all the units for them, and it's socially responsible.  Overall, it improves the efficiency of the property, and increases what I can rent/sell each one for over a typical apartment, without having to market the shared space directly.

Then I thought of something else I could incorporate into these projects: a shared vehicle.  Zipcar is catching on for city dwellers while fuel prices climb.  I want to build eco-friendly vehicles anyway, and it was part of the reason I wanted to create an efficient home with workspace.  This way, I can sell and rent housing that is energy efficient, modern/stylish, has shared space for more conveniences, and a truck for everyone in the plex to use.  Reserving and paying costs for the vehicle would be managed along with the other features like the Internet terminals and workspaces.  But basically, it means it would only need one garage for parking.  Perfect for me, since I get a way to use and profit from my vehicle ideas.

I think this is how the process can work.  Call it a business plan if you like.

1. Build my first container home and move in; finance construction with a loan and rent out condo
2. Assemble plug-in hybrid pickup, while saving up capital or paying off construction
3. Monetize real estate assets by one of the following methods:
   • rent out container home and share revenue with parents
   • move parents into container home and rent main house, sharing revenue
   • split lot and sell one or both homes (possibly renting out one), sharing revenue
   • sell condo
4. Build single-family or duplex container home in a new location, and move in; consolidate debt
5. Use revenue from #3 (possibly sell a rental or rent a room) and develop a shared housing plex

Once the plex is fully occupied, I should have enough rental and sale income to cover any remaining debt.  Then I have the "American dream": zero net housing cost plus income, home equity, and my own business I enjoy, with time and space to work on other things.  Until then, I'll still need a day job.