Single-family: One home per lot—you own and are responsible for everything on the lot. Multi-Family Homes: Buildings with up to four units, with the buyer intending to occupy one of them and renting the other available units. Condominiums: Similar to a single-family home, with condos you own the edifice itself, the inside of the property and some of the common elements like staircases, sidewalks and your roof. You’ll pay a homeowner's association to administer and take care of the exterior of the development. Co-ops: Here, you purchase shares in a corporation that owns a building, and you receive a lease to your own apartment. A board of directors supervises management. Monthly charges include your share of an overall mortgage on the building.
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