Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
More than fifty percent (50%) of residential construction in the United States is in condominiums. Moreover, baby-boomers are buying condominiums as a second or primary home in increasing numbers. Almost everyone either lives in or has a relative who lives in a condominium. Meisner will share his expertise in how to deal with the problems of buying and selling a condominium. Who should read this book? Condo dwellers, boards of directors of community associations, developers and management firms can learn more about the unique problems of buying, selling, and living in a condominium, serving on a board, and developing a condominium. In the book Meisner shares his wisdom and wit accumulated from more than 35 years of practicing community association law. This handy guide is a must-read for anyone who has ever thought about developing, buying or selling a condo, or joining a condo association board. America’s Master Handyman, Glenn Haege speaks of the book: "Everything you need to know about condo living… If you live in or are thinking of buying a condominium, you need this book." "Condominium living is not for everyone," says Meisner. "There are numerous factors to consider before taking the plunge." The book is divided into two parts. Part One covers the factors to be considered when selecting, buying and selling a condominium. Part Two demystifies the management and operations of condominium associations and their boards. Says Meisner: "It’s time to consider how condominium associations are supposed to operate – and how they actually do operate."
Customer Reviews:
Review #1: Good information buried in long, boring, poorly organized prose
2007-03-05 
Does this book give the prospective condo-buyer a lot of useful information? Yes. Does that matter if it's an incredible chore to slog through? Not really.
The author's credentials as a condo attorney are impeccible, but as a writer they're non-existent. He writes like a lawyer, with lots of useless hemming and hawing in lieu of clear, direct advice. Ever heard of a bullet point? Apparently not, as key topics are buried in long, detail-laden paragraphs and attempts at humor. Way too much space is devoted, for instance, to such common-sense advice as "don't raise a family in a condo development full of singles or seniors." Did I really need this guy to tell me that kids need playgrounds and back yards?
The organization into chapters proves almost totally arbitrary; information about time shares, vacation homes and other corner cases is mixed in with the key information applicable to the vast majority of the audience: namely, people who are buying or selling a condo as a primary residence.
The author has also didn't do much research beyond his own practice. He bases most of his anecdotes and specific examples on Michigan law, without only cursory asides about finding out about the laws in your own state and municipality.
I came to this book looking for easily digestible, intelligently organized information. I didn't want to have to wade through a broad overview of condo law to pluck out the bits that applied to me (a first-time home-buyer looking at purchasing a condo). By the end, I learned what I wanted to. But I felt like I was listening to a gasbag regaling me with the minutiae of his day-to-day activities when all I really wanted was the highlights.
Review #2: An attorney reveals condo laws and you.
2006-03-11 
Whether you're thinking of buying a condo or selling one, you need CONDO LIVING: A SURVIVAL GUIDE TO BUYING, OWNER AND SELLING A CONDOMINIUM: it's a primer by an attorney with over thirty years experience of practicing community association law, and covers just about everything to know about condo ownership. From common developer and association practices to differences between simple conflicts and real problems, CONDO LIVING covers everything you need to know in advance about condo rules and regulations.
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