S. Fla. lawyer advises condo buyers
• Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Co-op, Condo, Or Townhouse, by Ken Roth. AMACOM Publishing. 197 pages. $18.95.
Don't buy or sell a condominium, co-op or townhouse without first reading Ken Roth's revealing new book, Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Co-op, Condo, or Townhouse. Written by an experienced Florida real estate attorney and condo investor, this important handbook exposes the good and bad of these specialized properties.
Not only is this book enjoyable and easy reading, but also the author's many experiences explain how to avoid potential pitfalls. He even reveals a few mistakes he made. Roth, who lives and practices law in South Florida, highlights the differences among co-ops, condos and townhouses, their drawbacks and their advantages.
Whether you are thinking of buying as a personal residence or an investment, the author explains how to protect yourself, especially when purchasing a new condo from a developer. Roth emphasizes what is negotiable in such purchases and what is non-negotiable when dealing with new construction.
Along the way, the author discusses what makes a profitable condo purchase, such as location, view and amenities, and how to avoid paying too much. The book's final chapter ties everything together and shares how to sell your condo for maximum sales price.
The most valuable parts of the book are when Roth, after explaining the facts, provides his viewpoints based on many years of owning multiple condos and his law practice experiences. Such information is priceless when determining what to look for and what to avoid when buying a condominium.
Heavy emphasis is placed on the role of the board of directors. Many condo buyers are unaware when they purchase that they become members of a mini-democracy and they must submit to the decisions of the governing board of fellow owners. As a condo owner, I especially related to Roth's description of the ''condo commando'' member who wants to take charge of every condo association.
By far, this is the best ''how to buy a condominium'' book I've read. It is ultra-complete, explaining both the legal and practical aspects as well as the pros and cons of condo ownership. The many personal examples add realism to the contents. On my scale of one to 10, this outstanding book rates an off-the-chart 12.