Linden Lab Official:Homestead FAQ
What is a Homestead Region?
Along with Full Regions and Openspace Regions, a Homestead Region is a type of Private Region. It is intended for lightweight use cases such as:
- Low-density rentals
- Light commercial
- Quiet residential
Homestead Regions have lower usage limits than Full Regions:
- Prim limit set at 3750
- Concurrent avatar limit set at 20
Pricing for Homestead Regions comprise a setup fee and monthly maintenance fees:
- Setup fee of $375
- Monthly fee of $125
Homestead Regions are available only to Full Region owners. Also, the Owner and the Payor for Homesteads must be the same person.
How do I order a Homestead?
Homesteads can be purchased in the Land Store. Once you select a location for your Region, you will be provided the option of making your island a Homestead Region. This option will only be provided if you currently own a Full Region.
Are there discounts for educators or non-profit organizations?
No. However, qualified educators or non-profits are allowed to order a Homestead Region without owning a full region, unlike regular Residents. If you represent a qualified non-profit organization that wants to order a Homestead Region, submit a support case to do so.
Homestead Regions bill monthly at the rate of $125 per month.
How are Homesteads Regions different from Openspace Regions?
Homesteads are intended for low density rentals, quiet residential, or light use. Openspace Regions are intended for extremely lightweight scenary usage such as countryside, forest, or ocean, and are not approved for habitation or for residential or commercial rental. Pricing and usage limits for Homesteads and Openspaces are summarized below:
For a detailed comparison of Openspace, Homestead, and Full Regions, see Buying private Regions.
Converting regions
Upon conversion of your Openspace Region to a Homestead Region or Full Region, you will be charged the difference in setup fees between the two types of Regions. In addition, you will be charged a one-time conversion fee of $100. We waive this fee if you're converting up. Once the conversion has taken place, the appropriate new monthly fee will apply. The new bill date will be an average of the old bill dates.
If you have multiple Openspaces or Homesteads to convert, each will count as its setup value against the price of a full Region. For example, if you want to upgrade 2 Openspaces to a Full Region, it will cost you the set up fee of the Full Region ($1000) minus the combined setup fee of each Openspace ($250 + $250), and we waive the conversion fee ($100): $1000 - ($250 + $250) = $500.
Examples:
- Converting 2 Openspace Regions to a Full Region would be
$1000 - ($250 + $250) = $500 - Converting 2 Homestead Regions to a Full Region would be
$1000 - ($375 + $375) = $250
 |
Important: Conversions which incur a negative balance will not result in a refund for the surplus amount. For example, the math for converting 3 Homestead Regions to a Full Region: is: $1000 - ($375 + $375 + $375 ) = -$125. But, you won't get that $125. |
You can convert a Homestead Region to an Openspaces Region. You can convert a Full Region to a:
- Homestead Region
- Openspaces Region
You will be charged the difference in setup fees between the two types of Regions plus a one-time conversion fee of $100. Once the conversion has taken place, the appropriate new monthly fee will apply. The bill date will remain the same.
Comparison
Converting UP - conversion fee waived
| You have | Converts to |
|---|---|
| 4 Openspaces | 1 Full region |
| 3 Openspaces + $250 charge | 1 Full region |
| 2 Openspaces + $500 charge | 1 Full region |
| 1 Openspace + $750 charge | 1 Full region |
| 3 Homesteads | 1 Full region |
| 2 Homesteads + $250 charge | 1 Full region |
| 1 Homestead + $625 charge | 1 Full region |
| 2 Homesteads + 1 Openspace | 1 Full region |
| 1 Homestead + 2 Openspaces + $125 charge | 1 Full region |
| 1 Homestead + 1 Openspace + $375 charge | 1 Full region |
| 1 Openspace + $125 | 1 Homestead region |
| 2 Openspaces | 1 Homestead region |
Converting DOWN - $100 conversion fee (not included in any other listed charges)
| You have | Converts to |
|---|---|
| 1 Full region | 4 Openspaces |
| 1 Full region | 3 Homesteads + $125 charge |
| 1 Full region | 2 Homesteads + 1 Openspace |
| 1 Full region | 1 Homestead + 2 Openspaces |
| 1 Homestead | 1 Openspace |
| 1 Homestead | 2 Openspaces + $125 charge |
| 1 Homestead | 3 Openspaces + $375 charge |
| 1 Homestead | 4 Openspaces + $675 charge |
| 2 Homesteads | 3 Openspaces |
How long does a conversion take?
You can normally expect your Private Region conversion to take 5-10 business days. Depending on the size of our current conversion queue, your conversion may occasionally take longer than 10 business days, but we will do our best to get it done in a timely manner.
What things have not changed about Openspaces, Homesteads, and Full Regions?
- You still need to own a Full Region to own Openspace or Homestead Regions unless you are an educator or qualified non-profit.
- Setup fees for Openspaces and Full Regions remain the same.
- Monthly fees for Openspaces and Full Regions remain the same.
- As stated on the Second Life Blog, the Owner and the Payor must be the same person on an Openspace or Homestead.
What are the policies surrounding land rental on Homestead Regions?
Homesteads are approved for rental use within the Region limitations we have set.
Grandfathered pricing
Some older regions have "grandfathered" or discounted pricing on their monthly maintenance fees. In February 2010, it was announced that these grandfathered maintenance fees would no longer be offered and that changing ownership or converting a grandfathered region would change its maintenance fee to the current monthly rate for its region type.
We are unable to swap the price of a current grandfathered region with a non-grandfathered region. Grandfathered pricing stays with the region for the life of the region or until it is transferred or converted.
If a grandfathered region is abandoned and subsequently reactivated, its maintenance fee is updated to the current monthly rate for its region type.