Here’s a fact that might surprise you: A co-op board can turn down a buyer for any lawfulreason. And because the reason need not be divulged, this means that in practice, unlawfulreasons (race, religion, profession, sexual orientation, nationality, etc.) may also prompt arejection. (Note: If you buy an apartment directly from the sponsor, you will […]
In a co-op, shareholders elect a volunteer co-op board which–except in some very small buildings that choose to save money by self-managing–works with a property management company to oversee the care and maintenance of the building. The board also creates and enforces rules about everything from renovation inside units, to what’s allowed to transpire on […]
A condominium budget will determine a condo apartment’s monthly common charges It’s critical to analyze a condo budget before signing a purchase contract in NYC. Many first time home buyers rely exclusively on their lawyers to scrutinize the condo budget as part of the lawyer’s legal and financial due diligence. However, since you’ll be the […]
In a co-op, shareholders pay a monthly maintenance fee. Part of it goes toward the expenseof operating the building. The other part is the amount of property taxes apportioned to eachshareholder based on the number of shares assigned to their apartment. Particularly thesedays, when property taxes and fuel costs are rising sharply, maintenance fees are […]
NYC condos are more expensive, on average, than co-ops. In the 2nd quarter of 2018, for example, condo buyers forked over an average of $1,989 per square foot in Manhattan, approximately 50% more than co-op buyers, who paid an average of $1,319 per square foot, according to a report by the appraisal firm Miller Samuel. […]
If you’re living in Brooklyn, you might be interested in exploring and contributing to the vibrant community garden scene connecting the borough. These green spaces are more than just pretty spots—they’re vital hubs that exemplify New Yorkers’ dedication to their neighborhoods. Here’s how you can join and participate in these thriving gardens. 1. Discovering Community […]
Ready to start thinking about buying in New York? If you’re already at the research stage, you’ve probably already come across the three main types of properties: condos, co-ops, and single-family houses. Each comes with its own list of pros and cons but all can be solid options — depending on what your life, finances, […]
Economic ups and downs are a harsh reality of investing but one of the ways many people have found to hedge their bets is through real estate investment. Of course, no investment is a sure thing and even though New York City is almost always a hot market, it’s important to speak with a financial […]
Flipping houses in one of the world’s most expensive cities has the potential for a big financial windfall — if done correctly and market conditions support it — but we don’t need to tell you there are also big, scary risks. And if you’re thinking about taking one of those, it’s a good idea to […]
We’ve discussed the need for title insurance before — you can read about that here — but it’s worth delving a little deeper into this tool and to consider why title insurance is even necessary at all. It’s one of those minor boxes that needs to be ticked during a home’s sale that, if not […]
