Shared Cabin Ownership
Half the responsibility, double the joy
In the heart of Gautefall, we find a modern cabin that’s a bit out of the ordinary. Here, two couples have joined forces to fulfill their cabin dream—together. We met with them to hear how this collaboration has worked and what advice they have for others considering the same solution.
A retreat from everyday life
Carina smiles broadly as she talks about what the cabin means to them.
– It’s a place where we can relax and completely disconnect from the daily grind at home. Here, we can forget about laundry and other chores for a while and just enjoy quality time as a family. Our boys love skiing, so the cabin has become a natural base for both activity and relaxation, she says.
Kaja nods in agreement.
– Having a place to go to, whether for a weekend or a longer holiday, brings us immense joy. We would never have been able to afford a cabin each, but by sharing, we could make the dream come true. And it has truly given us so much – not just a place to be, but also closeness to each other as families.
Family time
Nothing tastes as good as evening supper at the cabin.
It's actually quite cozy to do things like painting and snow shoveling together.
The ski lift at Gautefall is just a stone's throw away.
Gautefall – a year-round paradise
Choosing Gautefall as a destination was easy.
– It’s only an hour and a half drive from Porsgrunn, so it’s easily accessible. Plus, the nature here is amazing, with beautiful hiking areas year-round, says Kaja, revealing that her mother had a hand in the decision: – She had heard an advertisement for Gautefall on the radio and was really excited for us to have a cabin here, laughs Kaja.
Carina adds:
– Here, we have something for everyone. In the summer, there are great hikes and swimming spots, and in the winter, there’s skiing and cozy times. It’s truly a year-round destination.
Shared ownership – many benefits
Sharing a cabin may sound complicated, but for Carina and Kaja, it has exceeded all expectations. They financed the cabin by taking out separate loans, with their shares as collateral.
– The bank had no issues with that, and it’s worked flawlessly, says Kaja.
– With shared ownership, everything is halved – except for the enjoyment, explains Carina. – Half the loan, half the fixed costs, and half the communal work and maintenance.
– It’s actually quite cozy to do things like painting and snow shoveling together.
Another advantage of sharing a cabin is that it gets used much more.
– We have kids who are active in sports, and there’s always a cup or something on the weekends. It’s nice to know that others can enjoy the cabin when we can’t, says Carina. – And it’s still possible to take a trip to the south if we want!
Kaja adds that they’ve organized the usage with a simple booking system:
– We’re often here together, but it’s also possible to be alone with our own families or invite friends. During the holidays, we tend to be here together, and it’s worked really well.
Carina and Kaja say it’s important to communicate well for the collaboration to work:
– We know each other well and have spent many holidays together. We know we can talk things through if something comes up, says Kaja.
Cabin model with plenty of space for both the older and younger
When it came to choosing a cabin model, they were careful to find something that suited both families' needs.
– The number of bedrooms was important. We needed five – one master bedroom for each couple, and then we each have two boys, who needed their own "kids' room," and one room for mom/mother-in-law, explains Carina.
– We also chose a model with two separate zones, so the boys have a place where they can retreat to play or game. It has been perfect! We considered a cabin with an open loft, but we’re so glad we didn’t go with that. It would have been too much noise from the boys!
A handy checklist before departure, so the next ones arriving at the cabin will be happy.
Tips for a successful co-ownership agreement
For those considering shared cabin ownership, Carina and Kaja have a clear recommendation:
– Do it! It has given us so much joy and peace, says Carina.
– But it’s a good idea to have clear agreements in place beforehand, such as maintenance and vacation distribution. We don’t have a formal contract, but we agreed on the distribution from the start, and it has worked really well.
Kaja adds:
– A co-ownership agreement might be useful, even though we haven’t needed it. Clear communication and collaboration are key. It’s much less intimidating than it sounds!
Tips for a co-ownership agreement
We are often here together, but it’s also possible to be alone with our own families or invite friends. During the holidays, we usually stay here together, and it has worked really well.
"The Fjellstø Method": A seamless construction process with expert help from Fjellstø
The choice of plot and cabin construction was made in collaboration with the cabin plot developer, Fjellstø.
– They took care of everything, from paperwork and applications to groundwork and overseeing the construction process, says Kaja.
– An engineer helped us position the cabin for the best sun exposure and view. We initially thought it should be placed elsewhere, but we’re so glad we followed his advice!
Carina nods.
– The whole process was seamless, from the first viewing to the finished cabin. Having informative brochures with color coding and total prices helped us choose the right plot within our budget.
– We even got a 3D drawing showing the cabin placement on the plot before we made our decision. It made the choice much easier.
Sharing a cabin has not only made it possible for Carina and Kaja and their families to realize a dream, but also provided them with a place where memories are made and friendships are strengthened. Their experience is proof that collaboration can truly make dreams come true.
