Co-op vs Condo/New Dev

I'd rather pay higher closing costs than submit to another co op board process.

chrisb, what about a condo that isn't a new dev?

You can always negotiate closing costs into your offer via a "sellers concession." That's what I did recently when placing an offer on my new construction condo. I would've never been able to afford the nearly $20K in closing costs out of pocket.

How a "sellers concession" works is that the purchase price is slightly raised (say, by 5-6%), then at closing the seller gives you a credit for for this amount for the closing costs. Basically it's a workaround so that your closing costs end up as part of your mortgage.

Juiceman is right ---- look at condos that are not new devs. Or look for a coop without a wack board. good luck on that.