Buying an Apartment in NYC? Here’s What You Really Need to Know

You found it. The one. A charming, light-filled NYC apartment with just enough closet space to spark joy. You’re ready to make it yours—but before you break out the bubbly, there’s a little thing called paperwork. And in New York? It’s not exactly light reading.

Buying an apartment here is a whole different beast. Co-op or condo, there’s a maze of contracts, board minutes, building rules, and financials to navigate—and one wrong move can turn your dream home into a legal headache.

Here’s what a real estate lawyer can do for you:

→ Translate Contract-Land.
That purchase agreement? It’s legally binding and full of fine print. A lawyer reviews it, simplifies the language, and makes sure you’re not signing up for something you’ll regret.

→ Review the Offering Plan.
This 300-page behemoth spells out everything about the building. A lawyer checks for financial red flags, rules you’ll have to follow, and any unpleasant surprises the seller conveniently forgot to mention.

→ Investigate the Building’s Vibe (Legally Speaking).
Is the building drowning in debt? Are there lawsuits? Reserve funds in good shape? Your lawyer finds out before you commit.

→ Decode Board Minutes and House Rules.
Especially for co-ops, the building's personality lives in the board documents. Are they reasonable or... not so much? A lawyer can tell.

→ Protect You at Closing.
The final stage is where a lot can go sideways. A lawyer keeps everything above board—documents, disclosures, wires, and timelines.

Go in without legal help, and you could be facing:

• Surprise renovation costs

• Rules that ban your pet (or your Airbnb side hustle)

• A rejected offer from a notoriously picky co-op board

• A title that isn’t clean

• Or just plain buyer’s remorse

And now, the best part: you don’t need to find a lawyer. You’ve got one.

Cate offers real estate legal assistance designed for the NYC market. That means thorough document reviews, plain-English explanations, and a lawyer who actually answers your questions (without charging by the minute). Whether it’s your first apartment or your forever place, Cate helps you get it done—smartly, smoothly, and with your sanity intact.

Join when you're ready to close with confidence. Cate’s got you.