What do you think?
Rate this book
The New York Co-op Bible: Everything You Need to Know About Co-ops and Condos: Getting In, Staying In, Surviving, Thriving
A user-friendly guide to the art of living in a co-op and condo
Sylvia Shapiro, a lawyer and board president of a major Manhattan apartment building, has written what will become required reading for anyone buying or selling an apartment, or curious about entering the fray of the co-op and condo market. Shapiro answers all the questions apartment dwellers are afraid of asking the board, broker, lawyer, or accountant-and she does so without talking down or a steep hourly fee. Included are such topics Is the building right for you? How can you make the approval process go as smoothly as possible? What should you do if the board rejects you? And what if you get in? Can you keep your dog? How much power does the board really have?
Having lived in her building for more than a decade in blissful ignorance of how it was run, Shapiro awoke one morning to discover that her building was going co-op, and she intended to buy. Intent on protecting her investment, she took on the mantle of board president and set about figuring out how the system worked. Seven years and many trials by fire later, Shapiro presents her hard-earned knowledge in this neat little tome. Apartment dwellers will come to swear by it.
Sylvia Shapiro, a lawyer and board president of a major Manhattan apartment building, has written what will become required reading for anyone buying or selling an apartment, or curious about entering the fray of the co-op and condo market. Shapiro answers all the questions apartment dwellers are afraid of asking the board, broker, lawyer, or accountant-and she does so without talking down or a steep hourly fee. Included are such topics Is the building right for you? How can you make the approval process go as smoothly as possible? What should you do if the board rejects you? And what if you get in? Can you keep your dog? How much power does the board really have?
Having lived in her building for more than a decade in blissful ignorance of how it was run, Shapiro awoke one morning to discover that her building was going co-op, and she intended to buy. Intent on protecting her investment, she took on the mantle of board president and set about figuring out how the system worked. Seven years and many trials by fire later, Shapiro presents her hard-earned knowledge in this neat little tome. Apartment dwellers will come to swear by it.
- GenresBusiness
416 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2005
23 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 13, 2011
It's hard for New Yorkers to find a book about buying a co-op. Most books appeal to the broadest possible audience covering houses and condos. Maybe they will throw in a few references to co-ops. But there is more than a couple pages of differing important info that one needs to know. This book takes a different tone and targets a very specific audience - New York City co-ops. It is Manhattan centric, but that's better than ignoring NY all together.
The book is written by a lawyer and co-op president. (And obviously co-op tenant.) She describes things from all three perspectives. She covers plenty of examples - often worst case examples. If you aren't already familiar with the concept of a co-op, this book may scare you.
There are lots of lists of questions you should look into when buying. She also walks you through the application and board approval process something I haven't seen covered in other books.
A large portion of the book covers co-op living. What you need board approval for, being a good neighbor, etc. I felt too much of the book was spent on when you can skirt the rules. For example, she explains if the building says "no dogs" and you move in with a dog which the co-op ignores for X months, etc... For crying out loud. A "no dog" or "no pet" policy isn't a secret. You know about it before you apply. Apply somewhere else if you want to have a dog. Or buy a house. If you don't like following rules, you aren't going to like living in a co-op. There are a lot of rules in community living. Skirting the rules isn't going to make you a good neighbor. Why put yourself in that situation.
The other thing I didn't like was the overly dramatized tone the whole book took. From the co-op application process, to Board interview, to day to day living, she describes the Board as an enemy you are at war with. The Board consists of your neighbors who are kind enough to volunteer their time. They (typically) live in the building as well and are not the enemy. And I don't think the author even means it. I think she is using it as a writing device to keep the language interesting. But people who take it literally come away with negative feelings about their Boards.
Having lived in a co-op, I was able to tune out the parts of the book I didn't like. I did have to take off one star for it though. I still highly recommend the book though .
The book is written by a lawyer and co-op president. (And obviously co-op tenant.) She describes things from all three perspectives. She covers plenty of examples - often worst case examples. If you aren't already familiar with the concept of a co-op, this book may scare you.
There are lots of lists of questions you should look into when buying. She also walks you through the application and board approval process something I haven't seen covered in other books.
A large portion of the book covers co-op living. What you need board approval for, being a good neighbor, etc. I felt too much of the book was spent on when you can skirt the rules. For example, she explains if the building says "no dogs" and you move in with a dog which the co-op ignores for X months, etc... For crying out loud. A "no dog" or "no pet" policy isn't a secret. You know about it before you apply. Apply somewhere else if you want to have a dog. Or buy a house. If you don't like following rules, you aren't going to like living in a co-op. There are a lot of rules in community living. Skirting the rules isn't going to make you a good neighbor. Why put yourself in that situation.
The other thing I didn't like was the overly dramatized tone the whole book took. From the co-op application process, to Board interview, to day to day living, she describes the Board as an enemy you are at war with. The Board consists of your neighbors who are kind enough to volunteer their time. They (typically) live in the building as well and are not the enemy. And I don't think the author even means it. I think she is using it as a writing device to keep the language interesting. But people who take it literally come away with negative feelings about their Boards.
Having lived in a co-op, I was able to tune out the parts of the book I didn't like. I did have to take off one star for it though. I still highly recommend the book though .
May 18, 2015
This book provides a helpful overview for anyone looking to dive into the swamps of NYC real estate. The only issue I had with the book was it's financial and geographic focus. Most of the discussion centers around the issues facing buyers of half a million plus co-ops in Manhattan or Brooklyn. It is unclear whether buyers in other boroughs will face the same hurdles, but if anything this book will leave you over prepared.
July 26, 2012
Relatively dry but chock full of everything you actually need to know about coops in NYC. Seriously, everything. Must buy if you are considering purchasing into a coop in NYC. Extremely helpful about what to ask, keep an eye out for, and expect in the best and worst of coops.
February 23, 2025
Great information specially if you currently or want to become a coop or condo owner. However, information was a little repetitive for me and very long winded. I would still recommend as a source of information.
June 20, 2015
This book is perfect for understanding the basics of both co-op and condo life for the uninitiated. It should be required reading for anyone that is thinking about buying a co-op or condo in NYC.
January 31, 2016
Must read if you live or buying into a New York City Co-op.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews