We recently sold three Evanston Co-Op apartments... ask me about Co-Ops!

 

The kitchen at 1585 Ridge Avenue, Unit 310, Evanston, IL 60201 pictured above. The two beds, one bath Unit 310 sold for our list price of $149,900. We worked with three separate Co-Op apartment sellers in the same building earlier this year. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty or VHT.com

We recently sold three Evanston co-op apartments. Apartment cooperative (co-op) ownership is different than condo ownership. We help you understand the difference so you don't make a Co-OOOPS!

"You’re buying shares in the nonprofit corporation that owns the building. You’ll receive stock instead of a title as you would with a traditional home purchase" as described by Rocket Mortgage. The nonprofit corporation has much more control and "leeway" concerning the apartment building rules, regulations and final decision in approving a sale of those company shares.

The living room at 1585 Ridge Avenue, Unit 411, Evanston, IL 60201 pictured above. We sold the large one bed, one bath unit to a well qualified buyer for $130,000 prior to the unit hitting the MLS.

Some "Pros" to buying a co-op in Evanston or Chicago can be the price and stability. Due to often stricter rules and stricter conditions buying into a co-op the purchase price can be lower than market rate condos. Those stricter rules can also be a PLUS for a shareholder who wants a stable building with no renters (or no pets for example) and less owner turn-over. 

The main difference in purchasing and selling a co-op apartment is the current shareholders can accept or deny a purchaser based on their finances and their intended use of the unit.  For instance the managing shareholders may require a full cash purchase or 20%- 50% cash down for a purchase (much stricter than a mortgage lender for example) for a purchase or a certain level of current income. Additionally they may only allow shareholders to live in the unit (and not a roommate without shareholder status). The nonprofit conducts an interview with prospective shareholders and can deny their purchase if the whole package does not meet shareholder qualifications.

The kitchen at 1585 Ridge Avenue, Unit 302, Evanston IL 60201. We sold this two beds, one bathroom co-op apartment sold for $170,000 including a garage parking space.

There is no interview process in a condo building. Generally if you can buy a condo with cash or you qualify for the mortgage... you CAN buy it.  Current owners cannot deny you based on finances or require more money down. A condo purchaser/ owner is subject to the home owners association by-laws and rules and regulations but the purchase and sale are less restrictive processes.

Ask us about buying and selling co-op apartments!  We have experience in helping buyers and sellers understand the ins and outs of making a transaction happen! Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty erojas@kalerealty.com