What is a Sponsor Apartment Unit?

If you’ve been shopping for real estate in NYC, you may have come across the phrase “sponsor unit.” Getting the chance to buy a condo or co-op sponsor unit enables you to cut the red tape. Buying a sponsor unit is very enticing once you know what they are. Here we explain all and why you should care.

What is a Sponsor Owned Unit?

A sponsor unit is an apartment in a co-op or condo that has been retained by the developer or investor after the other units have been sold. In the 1980s, when many buildings were converted into co-ops, the original tenants had the option to purchase. Once these owners have moved or passed away the original sponsors may decide to sell the units.

What are the Benefits of Buying a Sponsor Unit?

The biggest plus to buying a sponsored apartment, if it is in a co-op building, is that you can avoid the troublesome board approval process. So long as you have the money you can buy the apartment. However, once the purchase has gone through you will still have to abide by the rules and bylaws of the building such as restrictions on subletting.

From a financial perspective, sponsor units also tend to be less expensive than other units in the building. The asking price is entirely at the discretion of the sponsor.

If they are ok with less money for a down payment, and financing has been approved, you could get away with a 10-20% down payment, a much better deal than the common 25-30% required by most co-ops. Lastly, with no co-op interview or financial requirements the buying process us much faster.

What are the Downsides?

A big thing to consider with sponsor units is the far higher792 closing costs. The developer will expect you to pay the hefty New York transfer taxes. Currently, they stand at 2.05%, and that can be expected to continue rising. Another problem is the possibility of shoddy construction. Sponsor renovations are sometimes less than high-end, so it’s a good idea to have a home inspection done, especially if it’s being sold in an “as is” condition. If the building is pre-war, it may have asbestos problems which will need to be handled by specialists, costing you more money.

How Can You Buy a Sponsor Unit?

So long as you’ve got good credit and have the financing to make the down payment, you shouldn’t encounter any problems. Anyone who might have trouble passing a board interview, such as freelancers and the unemployed, will find sponsor units to be a perfect choice.

Where Can I Find Units?

You can find sponsor units all over NYC. Most of the pre-war buildings are located on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side of Manhattan. However, with limited inventory and lots of interested buyers, it can take a while to find one. Expect to spend 6 to 12 months looking for a sponsor unit. Enlisting the services of an experienced buyer’s agent will speed things up.

Performing proper due diligence is critical. Get as much information as you can about the building such as the number of units the sponsor owns and how many rentals there are. It’s much easier to get financing from a lender if there are more owned then rental units.

Top Reasons for Buying a Sponsor Unit in a Co-op

A sponsor unit might be your ticket to owning a slice of the Big Apple. Retained by an original owner of the building before it turned co-op, a sponsor apartment carries its share of advantages.

Usually located in prime Manhattan neighborhoods like the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, hunting for a sponsor sale could be worth your time, after all. These five reasons make it clear why so many New York City real estate buyers look long and hard for a sponsor unit.

No board interview

Skipping the standard co-op board interview is one of the leading benefits of buying a sponsor apartment. Questions can be intrusive, requiring applicants to reveal personal information such as income and other financial data to a group of strangers, often judging by numbers only.

Even if you dodge the board interview, you may be required to chat with the sponsor. However, this meeting is usually not as invasive as a typical co-op board interview.

Less money down

Many co-ops require a 25 or 30 percent down payment, but when you buy a sponsor apartment, you can get away with the minimum required by the bank, which is often 20 percent. Less money down might enable you to purchase sooner than you’d thought. A smaller amount of down money will leave more cash in the bank after the closing, which brings me to the next point.

Less cash required after closing

Co-op buildings often need a buyer’s post-closing liquidity to be from one to two years of mortgage and maintenance costs. By purchasing a sponsor unit, you will not be required to have the same reserves. However, if financing the bank will require from six months to one year of post-closing liquidity.

If you qualify for the bank loan, you have the chance to be the proud owner of sponsor apartment.

Many original details

Because most sponsor units are prewar, they most likely come complete with unique features such as hardwood floors with inlay, decorative moldings, tall ceilings, and original doors and hardware. These elements are not only selling points but also desirable to anyone searching for a classic prewar residence.

Certain rules may not apply

Known for their house rules and regulations, co-op buildings differ from one to the next. If you purchase a sponsor apartment, you might be in luck and could be exempt from some rules. Such as owning a pet or a particular size dog or installing a washer/dryer in your unit. Check with the sponsor to get details before proceeding with the sale.

Pricing is one thing to consider before actively searching for a sponsor unit. Sales prices could be as much as 20 percent higher if the apartment comes renovated. Flats requiring full renovation could be only slightly higher than non-sponsor units.

When you’re buying a sponsor apartment in a co-op, you’ll avoid much of the aggravation during the process. Know, in the end, your dream apartment in NYC may cost a little more.