Do you know the difference between living in a condo, an apartment or a co-op? Though they might be similar, co-ops operate on a very different level when it comes to buying. Here’s how they differ from other options: 1. YOU BUY INTO A CORPORATION. you don’t own real property. When purchasing a condo or apartment you are buying that specific unit all for yourself. But when you buy into a co-op, you don’t own the actual unit. Instead, you purchase shares of a corporation that