Cooperator - Articles - 2007 Feb

Q&A: Dual Role as Director & Broker

no@spam.com (Steven Troup) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:04:25 EST

I am the president of a co-op board in Gramercy Park. One of our directors has recently become a licensed salesperson. When announcing this to the board, he indicated that he would recuse himself going forward from interviewing any potential buyers.

Q&A: Right To See Project Documents

no@spam.com (Phyllis Weisberg, Esq.) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:02:17 EST

My co-op is about to engage in a multi-million dollar upgrade energy project. The board president has decided to not let myself (a newly elected member of the board) and any shareholder access to review the documents on this project. However, the Board has given one shareholder complete access to all documents pertaining to this project. This individual has all the documents and is privately meeting with the contractors on this project.

Q&A: One More Unit Co-op Conversion

no@spam.com (Mary L. Kosmark, Esq.) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:38 EST

I am the vice president of a board in a 10-unit co-op located in Queens with an unoccupied residential basement apartment that was originally a live-in super’s apartment. We, the board, are exploring the possibility of renovating it and selling it as an 11th unit.

Q&A: Developer-Led Construction Projects?

no@spam.com (C. Jaye Berger, Esq.) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:58:36 EST

Should a real estate developer be involved in construction projects in his or her building or is it more feasible to let an independent general contractor with no ties to the developer do the actual construction works?

Neighbor vs. Neighbor

no@spam.com (Greg Olear) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:59:49 EST

Disagreement and conflict between neighbors is something people have had to contend with since the first two Paleolithic human families decided to set up house in adjacent caves. While serious problems may be rarities in the suburbs and exurbs where there’s ample space between houses, New York City’s vertically stacked living quarters can give rise to points of contention that would be non-issues in other communities. And if those points aren’t handled quickly and fairly by building administration, they can fester into serious problems. Intra-building feuds can create big headaches for boards, managers, and anyone living around the warring parties.

Under the Microscope

no@spam.com (Debra A. Estock) — Mon, 21 May 2007 11:48:39 EDT

Admission requirements for co-op buildings in New York City are typically pretty stringent. A board has the authority to require prospective purchasers to provide extensive financial documentation along with social and personal reference letters, to interview with the board and/or an admissions committee of the board, and in many cases, to undergo criminal and financial background checks.

Who Goes There?

no@spam.com (Brian T. Dooley CPP) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:02:03 EDT

Who is in your building? Do you know? And most importantly, do you care?

Maintaining Housing Diversity

no@spam.com (Jonathan Barnes) — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST

In 1974, a group of New York City residents banded together to preserve affordable housing in the city and the push resulted in the creation of the advocacy group, Tenants & Neighbors. Since that time the nonprofit group has been working to preserve lower-income housing by organizing and educating residents of such housing across the city and the state.

No Longer a Man's Castle

no@spam.com (Stephanie Mannino) — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST

In the past several years, the real estate market has seen an increase in the number of women purchasing homes. Some of these women are first-time homebuyers entering the market on their own, while others are moving up or downsizing from a property they already own. The State of the Nations Housing: 2004 report, compiled by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, found that “social and economic trends have given women a more powerful presence in housing markets. Between 1980 and 2000, the number of households headed by unmarried women increased by almost 10 million.”

That's Hot

no@spam.com (Denton Tarver) — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST

If New York City is a melting pot, then Hell’s Kitchen is the part of the cauldron that is closest to the fire. At least, it used to be. This section of Manhattan stretching from West 34th Street to 57th Street and westward from Eighth Avenue to the Hudson River is in the process of a dramatic transformation. Historically a haven for gangs, violence, and some seriously unsavory social elements, the new face of this neighborhood is the sleek, sexy, expensive high-rise condo building.