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Summary: How to deal with Worst Possible Scenarios
Review: First, you should know that this book is entirely focused on the customs, rules, experiences and laws associated with the purchase of residential real estate in New York City. If you are looking elsewhere, this book may not be helpful because the byzantine nature of the process in our town is - reportedly - unique. So if you live in the provinces, get another primer.That said, if you are interested in buying an apartment in New York City, this book is indispensible. It covers every step of the process from the abstract decision to purchase (condo, coop, or "condop") to issues that arise after you're already in your New York City dream home, with sage advice, humor, and insider tips (the author is/was an attorney and coop board president in Manhattan). Also the book is easy to read, easy to skip around in to find the information you need, and full of detailed advice on securing your dream home. The only caution I have is that, if you are buying, this book may cause you unnecessary worry. Ms. Shapiro lays out all the possible snags and offers solutions. My experience - I bought a coop in Manhattan recently - is that the process was not as dotted with landmines I had feared (the board didn't interview my cat, for instance, although evidently some boards make an attempt). My guess is that if you're in the market for a multi-million dollar home, if you are planning buying several apartments and knocking out walls to create a jumbo pallazo, etc., you should definitely take every page and study it thoroughly. If you are middle-class (by NYC standards) and are perhaps more in the market for Murray Hill than Park Avenue, it's likely that your experience will be easier than many described in this book, so you can reasonably hope that most of these things won't happen to you. But knowing the worst that can happen and marshalling all your potential remedies before it does is extremely stress-relieving (you heard me right), and this book will help anyone with that.
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Summary: An Entire and Large Coop Just read this Winner!
Review: I don't know what we shareholders in a large Manhattan Coop would have possibly done without Sylvia Shapiro's brilliantly written book, "The Coop Bible." One hundred plus owners were carrying this around, reading it as if it was the 'bible' all this past summer. Even though we comprise over 300 apartments, owned by educated and business wise shareholders, we all needed and imbibed the wisdom, facts and great ideas that Ms Shapiro, head of a Coop Board and a lawyer, gives in this essential book. It is, no exaggeration: head and shoulders above all others in this field. We are in trouble with our board and with our managers. We would never have been able to mount our "insurrection" without the intelligence throughout this invaluable resource. Her wit and brillance shine through every paragraph. This book, 5 big stars, is something everyone considering buying a condo or coop, or already living in one but unclear as to their rights, should have on their bookshelves. Ms. Shapiro even makes "home visits" and does so with grace and intelligence. She is as smart and forthright in person as she is in this book. Do buy a copy asap, especially if you live in the wayward ways of Manhattan's buildings which by laws and boards and managers are often not fair nor kosher in relation to the owners. Problems with the above are hard to deconstruct even for the most savvy. She gives great insight, much guidance. Invaluable is the word that springs to mind. 5 Stars!
Rating: 
Summary: too wordy
Review: I don't know what we shareholders in a large Manhattan Coop would have possibly done without Sylvia Shapiro's brilliantly written book, "The Coop Bible." One hundred plus owners were carrying this around, reading it as if it was the 'bible' all this past summer. Even though we comprise over 300 apartments, owned by educated and business wise shareholders, we all needed and imbibed the wisdom, facts and great ideas that Ms Shapiro, head of a Coop Board and a lawyer, gives in this essential book. It is, no exaggeration: head and shoulders above all others in this field. We are in trouble with our board and with our managers. We would never have been able to mount our "insurrection" without the intelligence throughout this invaluable resource. Her wit and brillance shine through every paragraph. This book, 5 big stars, is something everyone considering buying a condo or coop, or already living in one but unclear as to their rights, should have on their bookshelves. Ms. Shapiro even makes "home visits" and does so with grace and intelligence. She is as smart and forthright in person as she is in this book. Do buy a copy asap, especially if you live in the wayward ways of Manhattan's buildings which by laws and boards and managers are often not fair nor kosher in relation to the owners. Problems with the above are hard to deconstruct even for the most savvy. She gives great insight, much guidance. Invaluable is the word that springs to mind. 5 Stars!
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Summary: too wordy
Review: I found this book much to wordy to actually be helpful. It seems like the author was more interested in being witty and cracking jokes than in providing cold, hard facts. Although some of the stories are entertaining, I would have welcomed something with a more serious and mature tone. I found myself skimming through most of the anecdotes, in an effort to get to the real information.
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Summary: THE CO-OP BIBLE: word! the truth is inside!
Review: I recently bought a co-op in Manhattan (July 2001) and before doing so; I went to the bookstores and scanned the shelves for books that I thought would help me out. With so many titles to choose from, how could one know what is worth buying and the rest browsing? I ended up settling down with two books and I can happily recommend "The Co-Op Bible: Everything You Needed to Know About Co-Ops and Condos: Getting In, Staying In, Surviving, Thriving". With the first time home buying experience behind me, I found that there was so much more I needed to learn before buying into a co-op. There was so much I didn't know but quickly learned by reading the Co-Op Bible. Buying in NYC is an extremely detail oriented process; a process I believe no other city in the United States can match. The endless board package preparation is enough to deter anyone from being a homeowner (and even then, just technically, a shareholder) and the actual board meeting is something to have nightmares about (who likes being judged?). Sylvia's book put my mind to ease and easily defines the MUST HAVES and MUST KNOWS for Manhattan co-op buying. After reading and soaking in all the knowledge that I felt necessary, finding 12 letters of recommendation, three years worth of bank statements and tax returns didn't seem so daunting (hey, it's just all part of the process). Although the book covers information about "staying in, surviving and thriving" I found that all I really wanted to know was the "getting in" part. I didn't read much of the book after I absorbed everything I needed to know about co-op acceptance. My rating is based on the thorough knowledge Sylvia bestowed on me in the several chapters I did read! I can honestly say that reading The Co-Op Bible allowed me to focus my nervous energy elsewhere and five months after placing an accepted offer, I was able to move into my new home!
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Summary: thorough
Review: Sylvia Shapiro does a great job outlining the basics of Co-Ops, how they are structured, and how they differ from Condos. As someone looking to buy a Co-Op in Manhattan, I found this book a necessary resource before going to a broker. Shapiro does a great job of detailing the inside goings on of a Co-Op board and how they relate to every facet of a building, including the board approval process. The Co-Op Bible is very thorough, and I recommend it for anyone considering buying into a NYC Co-Op.
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Summary: Best book for NYC co-op advice
Review: When my fiance and I started looking to buy in NYC, this was the only book we could find that was specific enough to be really useful. NYC real estate is extremely unique and I found most books to be frustrating at times because the advice would be focused on buying a home everywhere else in the country. The author intertwines her advice with lots of personal anecdotes which I found made it easier and more entertaining to read. What we found most helpful was the part on what to expect during the buying process. As co-op newbies, we'll keep this one on the shelf as we become members as well. Great information!
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