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the owners form a corporation to own and manage a building and
then buy shares in the corporation that, entitles them to live in it.

CHOOSY NEIGHBORS

Ever since suburbs were developed, Americans have liked to
choose the sort of community or neighborhood their house is in.
Those looking for a house can choose exactly the type of
neighborhood that best suits them, from ordinary residential areas
to exclusive developments around a country club.
Some of the newer types of residential areas are gated com-
munities and planned communities. A gated community is a
development in which there is a barrier at the entrance with either a
security guard or an electronic security device that watches who
goes in and out to create a safer environment. A planned
community is a development that may include areas planned for
parks, schools, and stores. House owners are usually required to
sign a covenant with rules about external decorations, building
restrictions, and use of the property. Obviously, this is a bit too
strict for some people.
Not everybody in the United States is rich enough to have quite
so many housing options available to them. In urban areas, housing
projects, or simply the projects, are home to the poorer members of
society. The rent for apartments in housing projects is controlled so
that it does not rise too quickly.
In smaller cities and rural areas, trailers, or mobile homes, are
available to buy or rent. Although they are all rectangular in shape
and are not very solid, they can look very much like small houses
when they are finished. Trailers are parked in a trailer park, where
they can be hooked up to services and utilities.

BUYING A HOME

About two-thirds of all Americans own their homes. Once the
decision has been made to buy a house, and a neighborhood or
development selected, the first stop for potential buyers is a Real-
tor, or a real estate agent or broker. All real estate agents and
brokers must be licensed by the state they want to practice in after
completing courses and passing a test on the subject.
Realtor is a registered name for a real estate agent who is a