Buying a house or apartment is likely the most serious financial commitment you’ll ever make, and New York City’s complicated real estate market makes the task especially daunting. And with interest rates expected to rise this year, you may be looking to snag a deal by becoming an owner for the first time—and take advantage of current mortgage rates before they go much higher.

So if you’re planning on taking the leap to ownership, you may not know what you can afford, whether a co-op or condo makes better financial sense for you, and how to budget for closing costs and monthly maintenance or common charges. Read article to find out what you need to do to prepare yourself financially for one of life’s biggest decisions.  FULL ARTICLE