Purchasing an Apartment in New York City, Part 7: The Package has been Delivered, The Baby’s in the Crib, The Eagle has Landed, The Fox is in the Henhouse – Management & Board Review

Welcome to Part 7 of my ongoing blog series, “Purchasing an Apartment in New York City”. In Part 6 of the series – “The Bank” – I focused on the role your lending institution plays in the purchase process, assuming you are financing a portion of purchase. In Part 7, I will attempt to mentally prepare […]

What’s Up With Down Payment?

I am often asked by buyers, “Why does the seller care about my down payment amount? As long as I am satisfying the building’s down payment requirement, and the bank has approved the loan, aren’t they getting their money at the closing table whether I ‘put down’ 20%, 50% or 100%?” It is a very reasonable […]

Mind Games: Let’s Play!

Any prior explanation of this exercise could ruin its effectiveness, so grab the nearest calculator and enjoy the ride! Think of a number between 1 and 10. Multiply that number by 2 (don’t hesitate to begin using your calculator now…no judging!) Add 8 to your new number. Divide that number by 2 . (don’t you wish […]

Good Faith Deposits: A Part of the Process or a Despicable SCAM?

I am often asked by clients about “good faith deposits” and whether they should be skeptical about providing a deposit when submitting an application for an apartment. The answer is, it depends. If the deposit is going to the landlord, that is likely above board. However, if the deposit is being paid to the broker, your skepticism is well founded and you should be prepared to ask MANY questions. I will prepare you for both scenarios…