Asset enhancements, financial liabilities, and tax advantages--all important issues--can differ significantly with co-ops and condos, yet they"re the kind of terms that generally make one turn the page or fall asleep. However, if you"re considering an investment of the condo or co-op kind, it"s worth your while to read up on all the legal, fiscal, and organizational nuances before you plunk your sizable down payment down. Starting sensibly enough by explaining the definitions of and differences between condos and co-ops, Roger Woodson delineates clearly and easily the risks and rewards of this particular realm of the real-estate market. He discusses condo-owner associations and the impact they have on your lifestyle, wallet, and legal obligations. He explains the corporate workings of co-ops, their shares of stock, your voting power, and the costs of co-op ownership. Woodson furthermore covers issues of repairs, inspections, and contracts, investment, tax, and selling your share. He explores all the pros and cons of condo versus co-op ownership, helping you sort out which arrangement is best for you. Demystifying accrued interest, acquisition cost, amortization schedules, and assessment ratios, Woodson brings effortless clarity to homeowner jargon and real-estate realities. --Stephanie Gold