One easy way is to buy a sponsor unit, they do not require board approval. You simply sign a contract and get the money and close, you don't need to guarantee anything. I sell Sponsor units in many neighborhoods from the Upper East Side to the Village...I get a lot of buyers who want exactly what you want...no hassles and a sure deal. Just look for such listings--they will be clearly labeled. Oh and sponsor apartments usually do not have down payment requirements!

One easy way is to buy a sponsor unit, they do not require board approval. You simply sign a contract and get the money and close, you don't need to guarantee anything. I sell Sponsor units in many neighborhoods from the Upper East Side to the Village...I get a lot of buyers who want exactly what you want...no hassles and a sure deal. Just look for such listings--they will be clearly labeled. Oh and sponsor apartments usually do not have down payment requirements!

Dear Mas,

Many if not most boards do allow guarantors or co-purchasing. If you need to look at the pros and cons of condos vs. coops, you may find this useful... http://www.elikaassociates.com/condo_vs_coop

I responded to another of your questions earlier, but again, please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Alessandra Marx
alessandra@elikaassociates.com

There's plenty of building that allow co-purchasing or guarantors. You'll have to find those buildings and don't forget sponsor units. If you don't have a broker, I'd be happy to assist, it's not impossible but your son should be prepared to sacrifice a certain building or locating of there aren’t' any of the types of units on the market. Be careful with condos, it's always more expensive, usually smaller and the closing cost are higher then co-ops. I'm here if you need assistance, best of luck.

There are plenty of co-ops in Manhattan that allow guarantors. I have some listings like that right now. Parents buying for children, or children buying for senior parents, or pied-a-terres, are all very common and can be found at very nice buildings with great apartments.

However, if you have your eye on an apartment in a co-op that specifically does not allow this kind of arrangement, you will not be able to buy the unit. Co-op boards cannot make exceptions or they could be subject to lawsuits, so they don't do it. I would advise you not to waste time and money trying to get into a co-op with that policy.

Condominiums are another story. There is an application process at condos, but the managers do not have the power that co-op boards have. Rarely they try to assert such power, but whether they can legally get away with it is unclear. In general you should have no resistance to this with condos.

Co-ops tend to be less expensive than condos, in part because they are more restrictive and to many (not all) that makes them less desirable.

If you contact me, I can help you find apartments that accept this kind of arrangement. Since you live in Sutton Place you already know that most co-ops require at least 20% down payment (some require much more) and a solid financial base. With condos, usually you can purchase so long as you have the financing from any source.