Every church is different, and every church relocation or building project involves different opportunities and challenges. While the specifics will vary, most likely your project will include many of the following steps. Count The Cost can help you throughout the process.

Count The Cost will passionately assist the church by guiding them through the real estate jungle; saving the church dollars in a variety of significant ways that will exceed the cost of Count The Cost's services during and at the end of the process.

Don't move forward without first contacting Count The Cost and discussing your ministry needs. This Ministry Consultation will evaluate the "fit" between your ministry and Count The Cost; it will also discuss your ministry's spiritual and financial readiness to begin the project and Count The Cost's readiness to commit to your vision.

Project Management We know the importance of sharing information and ideas during each stage of a project. To facilitate good communication, Count The Cost maintains an online file throughout the process. At each stage we upload documents, write reports, and track our progress. Use your unique password to log in any time and access digital copies of all the documentation related to your project, review the latest information for answers to your questions, and stay updated on recent developments.

Budget Preparation: Help develop a budget to be used as a tool throughout the project; it will include land, building(s), furniture, fixtures & equipment and soft costs.

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Soft costs include "intangibles' such as professional services, loan origination fees, surveys and testing, etc. We can help you identify your needs and estimate these costs.

Market Evaluation: Visit your ministry's marketplace to determine the likelihood of finding and affording property that will meet your needs.

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Site Identification: Determine which properties in your marketplace should be investigated further.

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Site Investigation: Research the current ownership and the physical, political, and economic condition of the selected property so that your ministry potentially has more knowledge than the current owner. Knowledge is a powerful tool in the negotiation process.

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The property's physical condition would include, among other things, the topography of the land, the configuration of the surrounding streets, the improvements on the property and the neighboring properties along with the size, location and accessibility to utility lines..

Count The Cost will discover the political condition of the property by determining which government agencies have jurisdiction over the property and what potential governmental actions or approvals may be needed before your ministry can occupy the property for your intended use.

The property's economic condition includes not only the purchase price but the costs to build improvements on the property and surrounding
streets. These can include permit fees, utility connection charges and other financial obligations that come along with ownership of the property.

Contract Negotiations: Assist in negotiating and completing a Purchase Agreement that meets the budget and project time-lines for your ministry.

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Due Diligence: Guide your ministry in acquiring and interpreting all necessary testing, surveying and third party reports.

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These tests, surveys and third party reports tell you whether the property meets your requirements. Different properties or projects will require similar but different types of reports primarily driven by the political and physical condition of the property.

Entitlement Processing: Identify all discretionary approvals required by governmental agencies that control or influence the use or development of your selected property.

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Discretionary approvals include such things as Conditional Use Permits and Architectural Reviews requirements from the appropriate governmental agencies.

Construction Documents: Assist your ministry with the selection of an architect and/or other professionals required for developing Permit Ready Construction Drawings.

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Construction drawings that have been reviewed and approved by the appropriate governmental agencies and that enable you to obtain a building permit.

Contractor Selection: Help you interview and select a contractor that meets the needs of your ministry.

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Capital Campaign: Assist your ministry in interviewing and choosing a capital campaign consultant if needed.

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Lender selection: Help your ministry find the best available financing; includes preparation of a loan application through loan approval and funding.

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Celebrate: Rejoice with you in the completed project!

Please contact us for more information on our services or to discuss your church's real estate project with a Count The Cost representative.

We can bring insight and experience to your group and offer assistance in all areas of land purchases, building development and more.