preparing the paper work for board package

.accepted mortage loan approval
.last two or three years tax returns
.last two or three years W2
.all checking, savings, brokerage, stock, retirement, and other financial statements for the past three concurrent months
.last two months concurrent pay stubs
.letter from your employer stating your annual income (and bonus, if applicable), how long you have been employed, and that you are currently employed in good standing
.if you rented previous to this purchase, a letter from your landlord stating the length of your rental term and that you were in good standing (rent paid on time, no complaints against your behaviour, etc.)
.if you were a property owner previous to this purchase, a letter from your managing agent stating the length of your ownership and that you were a homeowner in good standing (mainenance paid on time, no complaints against your behaviour, etc.)
.letters of recomendation (three should do unless more are required) attesting to your honesty, trustworthiness, sense of decorum, ability to get along with others, good financial management of your personal affairs, and how you will make a wonderful addition to the coop or condo.

wow - thanks so much, #2!

Different buildings have different requirements. Here are what we were asked to do; we have not met with board yet (and I'm not sure we will be required to do so):
Re: Letters of recommendation, my husband and I were asked to supply 10 total. Because some folks know both of us, we actually submitted only 8, I think. The request was 5 per person. I gave everybody a little note explaining and thanking them with a stamped letter addressed to the seller's real estate broker (she pulled the package together and delivered it).
We also had to supply bank reference letters. These are form letters (auto-generated at Citibank) with a stamp that confirm that yes, you are a client at that bank, with your current balances. No big deal at all.
We only needed 2 years of tax and w-2s. We also supplied only current financial balances, not 3 months' worth.
They asked for C.P.A. reference, name and phone only (we don't have one).
They wanted to know debt--credit card and other.
If you own other real estate or significant assets, you want to list those. Because we recently paid off our home mortgage, we supplied a satisfaction of mortgage. Our county supplies, on line, an estimate of our house's current market value, so I printed that and included it. We have two nice paid-off cars so we listed those too.

"Different buildings have different requirements."

Correct. Just as another example, here are the items requested of my wife and me:

purchase application
contract of sale
employer letter confirming salary, length of employment, etc.
commitment letter (if financing)
2 perso recommendation letters for each of us
letter from our accountant confirming that we were on extension for '06
2005 & 2004 returns
last months bank statement
statements for all marketable assets
bank reference letter
letter from current landlord

That's all I can come up with off the top of my head, but I'm sure I missed something. LOL.

All great advice. Don't feel you need to get every single thing prepared ahead of time, but having quite a bit absolutely makes you a more immediately desirable and "real" candidate in the eyes of the broker and seller when making a bid. Good luck!