Includes index.

Preface -- 1. Single-family house or common property? -- What is a cooperative? -- What is a condominium? -- Vacatiion cooperatives or condominiums-- Should I rent or buy? Worksheet 1/ rent or buy? -- How to deal with that down payment -- Future market value -- What is my first step?-- 2. Using the newspapers -- Using your feet -- Using your broker's services -- Worksheet 2/ description for brokers -- Price and maintenance -- Monthly cash flow and net monthly cost -- Calculating net monthly cost -- Worksheet 3/ Calculating net monthly cost -- 3. Inspecting the apartment -- Worksheet 4/ inspection -- The electrical system -- Walls -- Heating systems -- Plumbing systems -- Inspecting the kitchen -- Windows -- Professional inspectors and appraisers -- 4. Inspecting the building and the community -- Employment -- The townhouse development -- High-rise living -- Recreation facilities -- Conversions -- 5. Protection of the buyer -- What documents to request -- Financial statements -- Monthly expense schedules -- Common area mortgages -- 6. Negotiating the purchase -- Allowing a lawyer to negotiate -- 7. Completing the purchase -- Binders -- Contract of sale -- Selecting a lender -- Worksheet 5/ Settlement costs -- Other closing costs -- Some words about title -- Commitment letters -- The closing -- Uniform settlement statement -- Escrow closings -- Examples -- Appendix I. Cooperative and condominium vocabulary -- Appendix II. Sample cooperative documents -- Appendix IV. Sample condomimium documents -- Appendix V. State protection -- Index.

Making a real-estate investment will probably be the most important financial decision you will ever undertake. Until now, however, there has been no systematic instruction designed to allow the layman to uncover basic pitfalls of cooperative and condominium ownership. Therefore, this handbook has been designed to be a layman's guide to buying a cooperative or condominium. To get maximum benefit, it is suggested that you read the entire text before attempting the calculations contained in the worksheets. If you use this handbook properly, there is an excellent chance that the home your purchase will provide both physical comfort and financial security for you and your family