Seller
What property details are usually included by Listing Services?
Usually, properties listed will include the following details:
Location
Photograph
Price
Utilities
Amenities
Annual property tax
Current financing (when assumable)
Listing company
What pages are generally included in the Purchase and Sales Agreement?
Agency Disclosure
Financing Addendum/Clause
Earnest Money Receipt
Inspection/Clause
Conditions/Disclosures Addendum
Contingency
Addendum Outlining Special Conditions
Lead-Base Paint Notification
Property Disclosure Form (completed by Sellers)
What is title insurance? Title insurance protects the named insured against loss because of defects, liens, encumbrances, adverse claims or other matters not shown or disclosed to the new owner that attach before date of policy.
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COOPERATIVES AND CONDOMINIUMS
Coops, (short for "cooperatives"), are apartments owned by a corporation. Individual tenants do not own their
apartments in exactly the same way that they would a condominium or a house. They actually own shares of
stock in the corporation. These shares are apportioned based on the size and floor level of their apartment,
and ownership is established by a stock certificate and occupancy is governed by a "proprietary lease."
The corporation pays all real estate taxes, maintenance expenses, and the underlying mortgage on the building.
The Coop owner´s portion of the payment depends on the number of shares owned in the corporation.
Cooperative ownership is the most common form of apartment ownership in New York City. There are three
times as many coops as there are condominiums in Manhattan, which means that there are more co-operative
apartments on the market and they are likely to be more affordable than similarly sized condominiums.
Basically, cooperative ownership offers the same advantages with a few extras:
1. The tenant-owners elect a Board of Directors, whose responsibility is to meet, interview and "approve"
or "disapprove" a prospective owner, thereby protecting the present tenants´ interests by approving only
qualified candidates.
2. Cooperative ownership offers a more stable community environment. Residents tend to stay for longer
periods of time, and few coops allow extensive subletting, preferring a high owner-occupancy.
3. The amount of monthly maintenance fees paid by each shareholder that goes to
the building´s real estate taxes and interest on the underlying mortgage, plus the
shareholder´s own mortgage, are usually tax-deductible to the shareholder.
There are some disadvantages, however, in purchasing and owning a coop:
1. A larger cash down payment is often required by the board. Usually prospective purchasers are required
to put 25% down. Some coops may require more. Many of the most exclusive buildings permit no financing
at all.
2. Most coops prefer owners to be occupants, therefore subleasing an apartment may be difficult. Each coop
board has its own set of rules, but generally speaking, subletting will have to be approved by the board, and
it will probably be for a limited amount of time.
3. Owners are normally not allowed to use their apartments for professional or business purposes.
4. Almost all renovations to individual apartments will have to be approved by the board.
5. Owners who wish to sell their apartments will have to have the sale approved by the board through the application
process.
Despite the disadvantages, cooperative ownership remains a very popular option for residential ownership in Manhattan.
Your Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy salesperson can be relied upon to guide you through the purchasing process.
CONDOMINIUMS
Owning a condominium in Manhattan is the same as owning one anywhere else. It is a fee simple ownership, and the buyer
receives a deed in a formal title transfer. Monthly payments to the condominium are called "common charges," and they are
used strictly for maintenance and upkeep of the jointly owned areas. Of course, the amount of interest on the owner´s
personal mortgage is fully tax-deductible.
Fee simple ownership gives owners the right to rent their apartment, making it a better investment opportunity.
Mortgage amounts can be as high as 90% of the sales price if the buyer qualifies. Often there is not a formal application
process, so selling time is considerably shorter.
HOW TO PREPARE A BOARD PACKAGE
A major aspect of purchasing a co-op apartment is completing a purchase application and
assembling financial documents and references, which together are commonly referred to
as "The Board Package." First time co-op buyers are often shocked by the amount of
confidential material required by boards. Just be assured that the information is kept confidential.
The primary purpose of the Board Package is to assure the corporation of your financial ability
to carry the apartment (boards are tougher than banks) and to give them confidence that you
will be a "cooperative" shareholder and a welcomed member of their community.
Each co-op has its own set of requirements and application form which your Coldwell Banker
Hunt Kennedy agent will obtain for you from the building´s managing agent.
OUR TWO MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THESE:
Read the instructions on the cover page carefully and plan to provide ALL the information
requested. Your agent will "translate" some of the items for you.
2. Be sure your application, references, and supporting documents are neat and clear.
THE MOST COMMON ELEMENTS OF A BOARD PACKAGE ARE:
1. Purchase Application-Should be typed. Fill in all the blanks and answer all questions:
name, address, social security number, name of attorney, schools attended, etc.
2. Credit Release Form-Your permission for the managing agent to obtain a credit check on
each applicant. Just sign it.
3. Contract of Sale-A copy will be acceptable.
4. Financial Statement-A blank form is usually provided in the package. Basically a statement
of all assets and liabilities AND supporting documents, it is VERY important that all sums on
he statement reconcile with the attached supporting documents.(For instance, don´t list a
checking account balance as of January 1, and then include the February statement as backup.
Every item on the statement (except for personal property) needs documentation.
5. Reference Letters-A combination of personal and business references. Coldwell Banker
Hunt Kennedy recommends that these letters be taken seriously. Please ask your friends
and associates to be specific and glowing in their comments. These letters are an opportunity
for a Board to "get to know you." They also provide subjects for the interview discussion.
6. Tax Returns-Many co-ops require the last one or two most recent Federal tax returns.
7. Landlord Reference-Verifying your past prompt payment of rent or maintenance charges.
BOARD INTERVIEW
Approximately two weeks after the completed Board Package has been submitted to the managing agent,
you will be called for an interview. If your schedule has unusual constraints that would limit your availability
for meeting with the board, your Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy agent will indicate this in his or her cover
letter for the board package.
HOW TO BREEZE THROUGH A COOP BOARD
There has been a lot of local publicity recently about coop board turn downs and tales of not so fancy buildings
rejecting qualified buyers who could well afford the apartments they "chose." Here are some questions and
possible answers on this topic.
· DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS NEED TO BE SO ANXIETY PRODUCING?
Not if purchasers realize from the outset that cooperatives are very conservative and want to be assured that all new
shareholders are :
1. Financially able to pay current maintenance charges, future increases, and potential assessments for capital
improvements.
2. Respectful and "cooperative" new neighbors who share a similar lifestyle
with current shareholders. At present, there are no laws against
discrimination by coop boards other than Federal, State, and City Fair
Housing Laws; in fact most co-ops act in a fair manner even though the
Information they require may appear to be excessive.
· ARE CERTAIN BUILDINGS REALLY "HARD TO GET IN?"
Yes. All coops have cash requirements and many have formulas for liquid assets above
and beyond the purchase price. To breeze through a co-op board be sure you know the
building "requirements" from the start. Don´t waste time barking at the wrong door. Your agent should be your guide.
· MUST YOU "TELL ALL?"
Lack of candor can lead to rejection; Honesty leads to acceptance. In preparing the purchase application, as well as
supporting documents and references, the buyers need to make sure that the final board package "tells their story."
Boards today want a fully-documented financial statement and references that tell the readers exactly who the
purchasers are, where they come from, what their net worth is, where they went to school, what they do for a living,
how much they earn, how much they owe, how many children they have, how many pets, and what is their lifestyle.
Any purchaser who does not feel like "telling all" should consider buying a condo. Remember, though, that all
information provided to a board is treated with confidentiality, and is seen by only a few board members and
perhaps an interview committee. Once a board decision is made, all the history and details are forgotten.
· WHAT IF YOU HAVE HIGH INCOME, BUT LOW NET WORTH, OR ARE SHORT ON LIQUID ASSETS?
Many first-time buyers fall into this category. Since co-ops are looking for assurances
that a buyer has back-up reserves-assets over and above what is needed for the purchase, a buyer in this situation
has several options. Often a parent can act as a guarantor, an employer can indicate the upward earning potential
(including a bonus prediction) of the candidate, and/or personal and business references can detail a history of
successes. References that refer to accomplishments in school, obtaining a good job, or highlight other achievements
offer the kind of confidence a board is looking for.
· WHAT IF YOU HAVE HIGH NET WORTH AND LOW INCOME?
Many wealthy individuals have enviable holdings, but little income. In this case, a board is going to be most concerned
about the applicant´s ability to handle future maintenance increases-which, like death and taxes, are inevitable. A common
solution to this problem is for the purchaser to put six to twelve months´ maintenance in escrow, in an interest-bearing account.
· WHAT IF YOU HAVE A BAD CREDIT HISTORY OR TOO MUCH DEBT?
A bad credit history is one of the hardest dilemmas to overcome. If the situation is serious, a condominium may be a better
choice. However, if credit cards are all paid off prior to applying to the co-op, and credible explanations are offered to explain
other problems, (such as reduction of assets due to a divorce,) a board may be accepting. In these cases, a purchaser will be
asked to provide more information.
Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy agents are specially trained to assist buyers in preparing co-op board applications. We offer
counseling at the beginning of the process, progress reports along the way, and final review of the completed application
by the managers of the company. Over the years, we have received many thank-you letters from our buyers for helping them
through this very important aspect of purchasing a co-op.
Seller
Select a broker
Pricing the apartment
Listing
Advertising
Showings
Negotiating an accepted offer
Executing the Contract of Sale
Board approval/ Condo Application
Closing
Select a broker
The relationship you will have with your broker during the course of the sale can be very close: it is important to select a broker who not only
provides you the most professional service and achieves the highest selling price (that closes!), but also one with whom you feel comfortable
inter-acting with on a regular basis.
Pricing the apartment
Meet with a professional broker who can give you all pertinent information regarding recent sales in the neighborhood, current competing
listings, recent sales in your building, most current market trends, etc. The broker establishes a selling price that he or she feels comfortable
achieving, and that you are comfortable selling for based on your specific time parameters.
REMEMBER: the market determines what your property will ultimately sell for (either higher or lower than the asking price). It is therefore
most important to select a broker who has access to the most far-reaching marketing systems to expose your listing to the widest possible
audience.
Listing
Establishing all the facts and figures surrounding your apartment, floor plans, photographs, etc, and SHARING the listing with all other
brokerage companies, so that every professional broker is aware of the listing. The vast majority of apartments are sold with the co-operation
of 2 brokers.
Advertising
selective, well targeted advertising is the key to success, letting as many appropriate buyers know about your listing. Your broker will identify
the numerous options and how appropriate they are for your type of apartment.
Showings
Either in the form of open houses, broker’s open houses or private appointments. Most showings are through private appointments.
Negotiating an accepted offer
The strong techniques and mannerism of your broker can affect the selling price. Your broker will reach a meeting of minds between you (the
seller) and the buyer. If you are selling a co-op, your broker will pre-screen the financial status of the prospective buyer to qualify their
chances for passing the board. A strong offer from a financially weak buyer is often worthless.
Executing the Contract of Sale
Your broker will co-ordinate the efforts of both lawyer’s and assist in the full execution of a contract.
Board approval/ Condo Application
Often, the broker’s most important work begins here, assisting the buyer (or monitoring and helping the buyer's broker) in presenting their
best possible Board Application Package (representing the buyer's financial and personal credentials) for review by the board. Most better
Condominiums have some type of Board approval process (waiver of right of first refusal). Virtually all co-ops have this process, which is
much more comprehensive, and often stipulates minimum financial requirements to pass the board. Most board's primary concern is whether
the buyer has sufficient assets to continue paying their monthly maintenance in the event they were to lose their job or monthly salary.
Closing
Once Board Approval/Waiver of right of first refusal has been granted by the Board of the building, a closing can be scheduled.
Here are some ideas for enhancing the ‘showing potential’ of your home when selling:
Remember: Most untrained buyers look at furnishings and décor before they see the fundamentals of the ‘space’. Furnishing an
apartment weel is a smart investment. Art work can often substitute for a less impressive view.
Everything should be cleaned thoroughly.
Tidy up the place! Buyers get confused by clutter, and distracted from the positive elements about your space.
Have your windows professionally cleaned.
Dirty walls should be re-painted if possible.
Any signs of water damage, cracks or holes should be repaired. Cracked or broken windows or mirrors too!
Floor tiles and walls tiles should be re-grouted.
Will your home’s value increase if you renovate the kitchen and bathroom/s? This needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Consult a specialist.
How light is your home? Would additional lighting enhance the space? Increase the wattage of existing lights, if dark.
Scented candles help reduce odors. Bad odors distract buyers.
Fresh flowers or plants always make a difference. Window boxes with plantings enhance a bad view.
Sanding and re-finishing wood floors or removing/replacing worn carpeting could be a minor expense compared to the selling price
gains. Consult a specialist.
Replace/remove items of furniture to improve the value image of the space. Renting an expensive chair could adjust the buyer’s eyes
to the possibility that the space too is very expensive-looking. Consult a specialist.
Your doorbell should work perfectly (first impressions)
What can you do to enhance a bad, or no view... Learn trade secrets about ‘expanding’ space. Consult a specialist.
Replace light bulbs with incandescent light, preferably on dimmers....especially for the winter months. Fluorecent lighting is un-
flattering.
Subtle addition of accessories to 'warm' up an apartment can be valuable.


All information regarding a property for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable. No representation is made as to the accuracy thereof,
and such information is subject to errors, omission, change of price, rental, commission, prior sale, lease or financing, or withdrawal without notice.
All square footage and dimensions are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of a professional architect or
engineer.
Pristine Inwood Hill Studio Asking 215k
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Pristine Inwood Hill Studio Asking 215k
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Pristine Inwood Hill Studio Asking 215k
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Pristine Inwood Hill Studio Asking 215k
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Pristine Inwood Hill Studio Asking 215k
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Pristine Inwood Hill Studio Asking 215k
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Pristine Inwood Hill Studio Asking 215k
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Pristine Inwood Hill Studio Asking 215k
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