What is a Coop you ask?

Cooperatives are not a new concept, although they seem to be a type of ownership that is more common in New York City than elsewhere in the United States. In New York City, approximately 80% of our apartments available for purchase are in cooperative buildings, while 20% are in condominiums. This means two very simple things to potential buyers in New York City:

1. There is more inventory to choose from if the buyer includes co-ops into the mix of properties, and
2. Prices are, in general, more attractive for cooperatives - simple supply and demand.

Cooperatives are owned by an apartment corporation. Individual tenants do not actually "own" their apartments as they would in the case of "real" property. Owners, (shareholders) of co-op apartments, actually own "shares" in the corporation which entitles them to a long-term "proprietary lease." The corporation pays the total amount of the building's mortgage (importantly, a cooperative may have an underlying mortgage on the entire building, whereas a condominium building must be owned outright), real estate taxes, employee salaries, and other expenses for the upkeep of the building. The tenant-owner, in turn, pays a portion of these expenses as determined by the number of shares the tenant owns in the corporation. Share amounts are dictated by apartment size and floor level.

The considerations when buying a cooperative are:
1. The Board of Directors has the right to "approve" or "reject" any potential owner. The board, elected by all of the tenant-owners of the co-op, interviews all prospective owners. It has the responsibility of protecting the interests of all tenant-owners by selecting well-qualified candidates.
2. The quality of services and the security of the building are kept at high standards.
3. Portions of the monthly maintenance are tax deductible. Each building has its own tax structure, but all co-ops offer a tax advantage. Shareholders can deduct their portion of the building's real estate taxes, as well as their proportionate share of the interest on the building's mortgage.
4. The amount of money that may be financed is determined by each cooperative. Some buildings require substantial down payments. Generally speaking, in Manhattan prospective purchasers should be prepared to "put down" at least 20 to50% of the purchase price (depending on the building) when purchasing a cooperative apartment.
5. Subleasing a co-op must be approved by the Board of Directors of the cooperative. Each corporation has its own rules, and they should be examined if a potential owner intends to sublet.

With this in mind, it is important to remember that co-ops are the norm here in Manhattan, not the exception. However, before beginning a search for a cooperative apartment, think about the financing limitations and theapplication and interview process.