NYC Co-ops

New York City Co-ops for Sale

Expert Co-op Buyer’s Broker. Since 2001. Buy With Confidence.

We represent buyers seeking co-op properties across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. We cover various co-op options, from charming village studios to exclusive Park Avenue prewar residences.

Our process begins with a thorough assessment of your needs, followed by expert guidance in finding the perfect co-op. We conduct comprehensive market analysis and skillfully negotiate on your behalf. Additionally, we assist in preparing the board application and coach you for the board interview.

Once you’ve secured board approval, our support continues through managing the walk-through and guiding you through the closing process. With ELIKA, buying a co-op in New York City is a seamless experience, ensuring confidence at every step.

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What is a Co-op?

Below you will find a helpful guide to understanding the intricacies of co-ops and what you may face when pursuing your purchase.

Typically, an older building (built pre-1980s) is usually a co-op. These buildings make up approximately 70% of the non-rental apartment stock. Unlike a condo, cooperatives are owned by a corporation. You are not buying real property when buying a co-op (like a condominium). Instead, you’ll be buying shares in the corporation. These shares entitle you to a proprietary lease, which makes your relationship in the building closer to that of an investor: the larger the apartment, the more significant the number of shares allocated. However, buying a co-op apartment is not a simple process. Cooperative boards don’t just take on anyone.

Buyers must pass a lengthy board application review and a co-op board interview. Until then, you’re not even near closing. It’s an ordeal that drives many people away. But with the proper knowledge and an experienced real estate broker, you’ll be far more confident of success. This complete guide will take you through the entire process. By its end, you’ll know everything there is to know about the co-op purchasing process in NYC.

Co-op owners cannot sell their units without board approval and pay a flip tax. This means you cannot flip a co-op property the way you could a house or condo. There are restrictions on subletting or renovating the unit as well. Co-op residents may also face stringent rules governing the appearance of the building. For instance, there may be limits on the percentage of the carpeted unit.

The Board

A board of directors controls New York City co-ops. The board determines how you can sell shares and who can buy them. Co-op boards enjoy sweeping authority to accept or reject applicants and turn down individuals for anything other than sexual, religious, or racial discrimination. Rejections are often baffling, as the board isn’t required to provide a reason if they turn you down.

Co-op boards also have complete control of the building’s running. Their decisions are nearly impossible to overturn so long as they can argue that they’re operating in the building’s best interest.

What do I need to qualify for a Co-op?

To be approved by a co-op board, you must supply detailed personal and financial information. The board package, as it is referred to, includes two years’ worth of tax returns with W-2 forms, 1099s, and K-1 forms delineating all partnership income. Your buyer’s agent should review the board package, and your financial statement details, including assets and liabilities, should be reviewed by an accountant or financial advisor.

If you have any investments, the co-op board will also ask for copies of statements documenting each. For instance, if you own a rental property, you must furnish a market analysis of the property and copies of leases. A comprehensive board package should also include a commitment from a lender for any proposed financing. Boards will also ask for three to four personal and professional reference letters.

While New York City co-op sales have slowed over the last few years due to a weak economy, many co-op boards have become even more stringent in prospective owners’ financial requirements. Experts say this is because boards feel they would protect their residents rather than make real estate sales.

What is a Co-op board interview?

The final hurdle to obtaining a co-op is the interview with the co-op board selection committee. During this interview, be prepared to answer any questions about your personal and financial life. If you have a family, you may even be required to bring your children to the interview to see if everyone is up to snuff.

With unemployment high, many co-op boards are more skeptical of prospective buyers and often now require down payments of 50 percent or more or six months to two years’ worth of maintenance in an escrow account. In some of the grander buildings on Fifth Park Avenues and Central Park West, boards have required all-cash purchases or given preferential treatment to buyers who have obtained fixed-rate mortgages.

Buying a Co-op in New York City

It’s no secret that buying a co-op in New York City can be long and daunting. The city is comprised almost entirely of cooperatives, condominiums, and a smaller selection of townhouses.

Below is a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know if you’re considering or have already decided to purchase a co-op.

What Makes Buying a Co-op Attractive?

As mentioned, New York’s housing market comprises condos and co-ops. Your choice depends entirely on your personal and financial circumstances, lifestyle preferences, and experience. For many buyers, it’s the price difference that pulls them in. Co-op apartments typically sell 10-30% cheaper than condos of similar size and quality. Part of this is that co-op buildings tend to be older, with fewer bells and whistles in the thousands of condos going up in the past decade.

Many new condos tend to have far higher closing costs if you take out a mortgage. Another reason co-ops are less expensive is that buyers have to be approved by a board. Along with the hassle and chance of rejection, you’ll also be opening your financial records to folks sharing the elevator for years.

Another significant difference between co-ops is the strict rules and regulations. The co-op shareholders elect a volunteer co-op board that oversees the care and maintenance of the building. Because of this, prices are often lower to entice buyers.

House rules

The board creates and enforces laws known as house rules, including whether pets are allowed inside, what sort of renovations are permitted, and restrictions on noise levels at certain times. Unlike condo boards, they can evict an extremely disruptive shareholder and force them to sell. A co-op’s lower price tag and more space make it an attractive choice. Buyers who don’t want to deal with hour-long commutes outside the city will find co-ops the best option.

The Search

Once you’ve done your research and enlisted the services of an experienced buyer’s agent, then it’s time to start looking for your perfect co-op apartment. This part doesn’t differ much from the condo search process. You’ll still need to attend open houses, and if you’re new to the city, you should do it often. This is more considerate of your broker’s time, as it’s hard for them to help you if you don’t know where you want to live, what you’re looking for, or your price range. Write your buyer agent’s contact info when signing in for an open house. The listing agent can follow up with them instead of harassing you with newsletters and offers.

When you have a better sense of what you’re looking for, let your buyer’s agent know, and they can send you some property suggestions. Try to be reasonable with your demands, as the inventory in New York is not exactly overflowing.

Co-op wish list

Stick with simple criteria such as price and number of bedrooms. Would you prefer a doorman building or one with no door attendant and fewer monthly expenses? Do you have a dog or cat and need a building that allows pets?

Making and Negotiating an Offer

Now that you’ve found the perfect apartment, it’s time to make an offer. If you’ve signed up with an experienced buyer’s broker, they will guide you. They’ll explain everything about the closing process and what happens between offer, acceptance, and closing. You’ll be happy to know that once your broker has received an accepted offer, they will introduce you to an experienced real estate attorney.

They’ll take it and handle the review and negotiations on your behalf. They will also conduct legal and financial due diligence, reviewing the initial offer, co-op financial statements, board minutes, and the co-op lien search. Any offer on a co-op should include, at a minimum, the following:

• Offer Amount
• Address of the property you are making an offer on
• Amount of financing or the down payment amount
• Any contingencies
• Bank approval letter if you are financing
• Proof of funds if you are purchasing all cash
• Completed REBNY Financial Statement
• A short biography or home buyer offer letter
• Attorney contact information

The above will be sufficient for the vast majority of co-op listing agents. However, a small minority may also require a signed Submit Offer form. Your broker will negotiate the offer with the listing agent on your behalf. They’ll inform you immediately if the offer has been accepted or a counteroffer has been made.

Dealing with multiple offers

You may be in a best and final offer situation if multiple competing offers exist. In this case, all bidders will make their best offer by a final deadline, with the best offer being accepted. Keep in mind that real estate offers in NYC are not binding. Nothing becomes legally binding, even in writing, until both parties have signed the purchase contract. You could sign your purchase contract when submitting it to show that you are serious about closing. But it won’t become binding until they sign and return it to your attorney.

Offer Accepted Now Deal Sheet

Once you accept an offer, the seller’s broker will circulate a deal sheet to your attorney, attorney, and brokers. This is to put the two attorneys in touch to state the basic terms. After your attorney has negotiated the purchase contract, you meet to review everything before signing on the dotted line. Once done, you’ll also hand over a check for a 10% contract deposit.

Your attorney will then deliver all this to the seller’s attorney for counter-signing. What follows is a tense day or two for a response. If the seller is ready, you should have a fully executed contract within that time. However, there are cases where the seller shops a buyer’s offer and goes with a better offer. If that happens, there’s nothing more the buyer can do if both parties sign no contract.

Completing the Board Application Process

If you’ve made it this far, you are now “in a contract.” Neither side can now back out without legal penalties. The one exception to this is if the co-op board rejects the application. If that happens, then you can exit without penalty. You should complete your co-op board application once you have a fully executed contract. Once you have a signed contract, you can begin soliciting friends and co-workers for personal and professional reference letters. Typically, these take the longest time to collect, so the sooner you start, the better.

You must follow all the co-op board application instructions to the letter and submit all requested documents. Ensure that everything on the board application is filled in. If something doesn’t apply to you, write “N/A” instead of leaving it blank. Your buyer’s agent will help and guide you through the process.

If you are taking out a mortgage for the purchase, you’ll need a loan commitment letter and an Aztec Recognition Letter, which your broker or bank can help you.

Preparing the co-op board application

You should take your board application very seriously, as any mistakes or un-submitted paperwork could cause delays or lead to the complete purchase falling through. You’ll have a lot of paperwork by the end, so it should be well-ordered and presented when you deliver it to the listing agent for review. It would be best to have it neatly organized with a table of contents, page dividers, and a cover letter.

If you are uncertain about anything or want to know how strict or liberal the co-op board is, have your buyer’s agent discuss it with the management company.

Passing the Board Interview

Now we come to what is, for many buyers, the most nerve-wracking part of the co-op buying process. The co-op board interview in NYC has a pretty bad reputation for being intrusive and unpleasant. That said, it’s rarely as bad as many people make it out to be. Remember to keep it short, sweet, and polite.

Your broker can tell you what to expect from this particular board and their most significant concerns with potential neighbors. Answer any questions they ask and stay on topic. Often, they’ve already approved your application after seeing that you are financially qualified. They want to meet you in person to know what you’re like and make sure you make a good neighbor. Still, you should be prepared for it and read up on how best to pass the interview.

Prepare for Closing

If everything has gone well, you’ll receive notice from the managing agent that you’ve passed the board interview within one or two business days. If you’re lucky, you may even get an informal indication of your standing after the board interview. Once the co-op board approves, you’ll need an all-clear to close the bank.

Your attorney will work with the seller’s attorney and your bank to coordinate a closing date and process for the sale that works for all parties. Remember that you will need a commitment letter from your lender to submit the purchase application. Ensure that your lender is right to go once you receive board approval.

Final Walk-through

Your buyer’s agent will schedule a final walk-through of the apartment, usually the day before closing or the same day. Use this opportunity to take one final look at the property before closing and ensure it hasn’t substantially changed since you last saw it (remember to take those photos!).

Check that all the appliances, toilets, showers, sinks, lights, and electrical outlets are working. You should also check for any damage that may have been caused by the movers when they moved out of the seller’s furniture.

The Closing Process

Most closing days occur at the managing agent’s or seller’s attorney’s office. Usually present will be the seller and buyer, attorneys representing the banks, along a closing coordinator to guide everyone through the closing process. The buyer and seller will also usually be present unless they have given their attorneys the power to act in their stead. Typically, the brokers are not present at the closing and pick up the commission checks faster.

Congratulations!

There you go! You are now the proud owner of your own NYC co-op apartment. When looked at in isolation, the whole process can seem long and complicated, but it is straightforward. When laid out like this, a competent seller’s agent will make the process much smoother because, as you can see, there are many steps to a co-op purchase. Educate yourself about every level of it and stay well organized. When done right, co-op purchases can be made by walking in the park.

Buying a Co-op Timeline

Calculating Your Budget

Time estimate: 1 – 3 days

Before searching for the perfect home, calculate how much your weekly or monthly salary can be spent on a mortgage payment. Once you have a figure in mind, you need to estimate how much it will cost to maintain an apartment, including monthly standard charges, repairs, taxes, and utilities. Then, you have to factor in closing costs and down payment, which can run from 10 percent to 20 percent. Co-ops often ask for more money down than condos.

Brainstorming – Time estimate

Time estimate: 1 – 2 days

After you’ve decided how much you can afford for monthly expenses and down payment, you need to list your priorities, preferences, and needs.

• How large should your apartment be?
• How many bedrooms do you need?
• What amenities do you need?
• Where would you like to live?

This list will help you determine the cost of your new apartment. If you’re using an Elika agent, your representative can consider this list while matching you with as many better apartments as possible that fit your budget and priorities.

The Pre-Qualification Process

Time estimate: 1-3 Days

The next step in the co-op purchasing process is to contact a mortgage broker or banker. It’s now time for you to get yourself pre-qualified for a mortgage. Get a pre-qualification letter to show your financial standing and prove you’re a serious buyer. This will prepare you to start searching in earnest. At this point, you’ll be ready to submit an offer once you find the perfect apartment. Acquiring a pre-qualification letter is a simple service that banks or mortgage brokers provide for free. Sellers take suggestions from pre-qualified buyers more seriously than offers from prospective buyers who haven’t been pre-qualified.

Searching and Viewing the Apartment

Time estimate: 1- 6 Months

The length of your apartment search can take days, weeks, or even months. It depends on how selective you are and how stringent your preferences may be. Most buyers will see 15 to 20 apartments before making an offer. If you don’t have time, an Elika buyers’ broker would be happy to represent you in your search. The agent can visit the apartments or set appointments for you to visit them. This can save you hours searching for the perfect place through newspapers or online advertisements.

If an Elika agent is searching for you, ask for a shortlist of the most promising apartments. You or your representative should visit as many properties as possible. Don’t be fooled by advertisements. You absolutely must see the apartments firsthand before making an offer.

Offers & Negotiation

Time estimate: 2 Days – 2 Weeks

In New York City, an offer can be made verbally or in writing. When you find your ideal apartment, it’s time to place your offer through your Elika agent. Your agent will submit your bid to the seller’s agent or directly to the seller.

However, the seller might think your offer is too low. In that case, you might receive a counteroffer. This negotiation can lead to a mutually agreeable price, terms, and a closing date. Negotiations are affected by market conditions. If the market is crowded with available apartments, negotiating is easier. If there aren’t as many apartments for sale, negotiations might not work. An Elika agent can help you with negotiations by generating a comparable market analysis report so that you understand the property’s value and the likelihood of negotiating.

Most New York apartments are sold as-is by the sellers. That means what you see is what you get. You must negotiate with them before the sale if you want furniture in the co-op apartment or different fixtures. Once you finalize the price, your agent will create a deal sheet that lists the sales price and the agreed-upon contract terms. Nothing is guaranteed, and the seller may entertain additional offers. Nothing is set in stone until the seller has counter-signed a contract. This is so even when a price has already been negotiated.

Hiring an Attorney

Time estimate: 1-3 Days

In New York City, attorneys must represent both buyers and sellers. The seller’s attorney will put together a sales contract. Your attorney will review the building’s financials, bylaws, and legal structure to ensure that you can accept the terms. An Elika broker can help you find a real estate attorney with experience in Manhattan.

Mortgage Financing

Time estimate: 3 – 8 Weeks

When you and your attorney have approved the sales contract, it must be signed and returned with a deposit check. This deposit will usually be around 10% of the purchase price. However, this is only a guideline. The seller may have different terms. The seller’s attorney will deposit the check into escrow until the closing. The process can take up to three weeks, depending on the terms and how quickly the seller’s attorney performs the due diligence required to seal the deal. The deal is considered fully executable and binding when the seller signs the contract.

At this point, you need to proceed with your loan application if you are receiving financing. Your Elika agent can help you find a mortgage broker. If you have already been pre-qualified, you’d likely use the company that pre-qualified you. You will need to provide these documents:

• An application
• A financial statement signed by a CPA
• All supporting documentation for your REBNY financial statement
• Three years of tax returns
• Bank statements
• Professional and personal reference letters
• The contract of sale
• Any necessary bank documents showing your loan are in place.

Board Application and Interview

Time estimate: 2 to 3 Weeks

• Board application submission and approval for a co-op board interview request.

Time estimate: 30 minutes to 1 hour

You must apply to the co-op board of directors when purchasing a resale property. The documents are the same for a condo and cooperative, but their reviews differ. The application includes these documents:

• Application forms
• Financial statements
• Tax returns for two years
• Bank statements
• Reference letters
• Loan commitment letter, other bank documents

Incomplete applications can be denied, so be sure to include everything. If you’re buying into a coop, the next step is interviewing with the board of directors. Treat this like a business meeting. You’ll receive a decision within 48 to 72 hours. Your Elika broker can help you prepare for the interview.

Walk-Through

Time estimate: 30 to 60 minutes on the day before or after closing

It is essential to inspect the property before closing. Verify that the appliances, faucets, light fixtures, plumbing, and outlets are all working. Make sure the seller has left or is preparing to move. Your Elika agent can help you complete the walk-through.

Closing

Time estimate: 1 to 2 weeks after board approval

The buyer, seller, and their attorneys must gather to sign the remaining documents for the closing. The title is transferred, and the buyer is given the deed when the seller receives the check for the balance. The entire real estate purchasing process can take two months to one year.

Co-op Considerations

Here are some things to remember when looking into New York City co-ops. Co-ops differ from condos in that instead of owning the deed to your individual property, you own shares in a corporate entity, which in turn owns the property. With a lease, co-op owners gain the right to occupy their units. However, they do not enjoy some ownership privileges that other types of property do not afford.

One major drawback is that co-op owners cannot turn around and sell their units to whomever they please at whatever price they can get. There are also restrictions on subletting or altering the co-op apartment. For instance, there are such minute things as the percentage of carpeting required in the co-op apartment.

Regarding New York City co-ops, the board of directors controls how and to whom its shares are sold. The board of directors has full authority to accept or reject anyone who wants to buy a co-op in the building. It can turn you down other than sexual, religious, or racial discrimination. Further, co-op boards are not required to give you an idea of why they turned you down. It makes rejection all the more baffling if you do receive one. The co-op also has broad powers as far as running the building goes. As long as they are found to be operating in the building’s best interest, their decisions are impossible to overturn, even in court.