CoopAndCondo.com - Addressing the realities of Residential Real Estate

What Happens When A Party Defaults?

       
What Happens When A Party Defaults?

When Things Go Wrong...

Okay, you've signed a contract, you have your loan, you've been approved by the Board (if it's a co-op)--what happens if the seller refuses to close? What about if you're the seller and the buyer wants to unreasonably delay the closing or simply refuses to close?

Most people (irrespective of business sophistication) are shocked at what happens when a dispute arises in a co-op or condo transaction. Most sellers operate under the misconception that if the buyer defaults, the seller automatically gets to keep the contract deposit. That's simply not the case. Here's the skinny on how typical defaults usually play out.

When Does a Dispute Arise?

Disputes between the parties arise at three key times during a residential transaction:

  • when a buyer is turned down by a co-op board;

  • when a buyer is turned down for a loan commitment; or

  • when either party refuses to close.

There are many other reasons why a transaction breaks down, but we'll just deal with several of the biggies for the purposes of this conversation.

The Buyer Defaults

If the seller believes that the buyer has not acted in good faith in connection with the buyer's application for approval to the Board of Directors or in connection with the buyer's application for a mortgage loan, the seller may attempt to retain the contract deposit, which is almost always held by the seller's attorney. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the contract, the seller does not automatically retain the contract deposit in such a situation. Once the seller believes that the buyer has defaulted, the seller will give notice to the "escrowee", that is, the party holding the contract deposit (again, almost always the seller's attorney). The seller will demand that the ecrowee release the contract deposit to seller as a result of the buyer's alleged default. The escrowee will then notify the buyer (through the buyer's attorney) of the seller's request, to see if the buyer has any objection. As you may have guessed, most buyers will object and will so notify the escrowee. The net result will be that the seller, even if the buyer has truly defaulted, does not immediately retain the contract deposit.

When a Bank Fails to Fund

A new reality of the market we are living in is that banks can withdraw financing even after a commitment issued. Although buyers should provide for this contingency in the contract, sometimes the contract is silent on this point. When the bank causes the transaction to fail because financing is withdrawn at the last minute, a seller may wish to hold the buyer liable since a mortgage commitment had been issued by the bank. Litigating this point is a slippery slope for sellers, as courts have held that a buyer has not satisfied the mortgage contingency if a bank refuses to fund the loan. If a buyer has acted in good faith and the bank withdraws financing on a technical point or for reasons unrelated to the buyer (like shaky finances on the part of the coop or condo), attempting to hold the buyer in default can be a challenge.

What Happens Next?

Once the escrowee has been notified by one of the parties not to release the contract deposit, unless both parties thereafter reach a settlement, a lawsuit will have to be brought by either the buyer, seller or escrowee, to determine who is entitled to the contract deposit. If nothing is done, the escrowee will continue to hold the contract deposit until someone finally takes action.

Contract Deposit Litigation

Once litigation is commenced, it takes on a life of its own. It will be time consuming and expensive. If the contract deposit is small by today's standards (under $50,000), the cost of pursuing such a claim can be cost prohibitive. In most cases, these lawsuits get settled long before trial, but only after many dollars have been spent on attorneys. What seemed like an open and shut case when the buyer originally defaulted, can get more complicated. The buyer will allege various breaches by the seller, which the court will have to consider. When the buyer is truly in default, the buyer's attorney will try to find a way to bring matters to a close. If the buyer can retain a portion of the contract deposit in such a situation, the buyer will usually not want to fight a losing battle. In most cases, emotions run high at the beginning. People do things for reasons of principle. A year and a half into a lawsuit, each side realizes that fighting for a principle can be costly. In almost all residential real estate contracts the seller's damages are limited to the contract deposit. Unless there is a lot of money at stake, if the buyer decides to defend a contract deposit lawsuit, the seller can quickly find him or herself between a rock and a hard place.

The Seller Refuses to Close

Now, back to my original scenario, you've done everything you're supposed to do, and the day before the closing, your attorney gets that call from the seller's attorney with the bad news--the seller isn't going to close. Having had this experience, I can tell you that conveying this information to the buyer isn't a lot of fun. In most cases, a buyer has lined up a mover or has sold or given up the buyer's present residence and basically has no place to go. It's a mess. So what happens next? If there is no dispute between the parties (in other words, the seller doesn't have a legitimate claim against the buyer), the buyer's remedy will be to commence an action in specific performance, asking the court to enforce the contract and order the seller to close. In most cases, the buyer will be successful in his or her specific performance lawsuit. The real issue, however, is how long will it take and how much will it cost? Such a lawsuit could easily take at least six months to a year to complete and could cost $25,000 to $30,000 in legal fees , or more. Each situation is different so costs can vary. Sometimes when the specific performance action is brought, the reality of the seller's situation kicks in, and the seller will agree to close without continuing the lawsuit. Most sellers don't realize that they will most likely be forced to close if the buyer litigates. The seller's hope is that the necessity for litigation will make the buyer "go away". Sometimes that works...sometimes not.

What About the Broker?

Where the seller refuses to close, the seller will also be vulnerable to lawsuits from his or her real estate broker. Most brokerage agreements provide that the commission is payable only if the transaction closes, except in the case of the seller's willful default. If the seller intentionally refuses to close, a commission may be payable, even though the closing did not take place. If the seller willfully defaults, the seller's liability to the real estate broker for the commission will depend upon whether the broker believes it is economically warranted to pursue the seller. Again, each situation is different.

A Word About Defaults Under Sponsor Contracts

Over the past two years, there have been many defaults and many lawsuits relative to buyers who have changed their minds about going forward with a purchase of a new construction condominium unit. Many of these situations arose because the price of the unit dropped substantially from the contract price agreed to in the purchase agreement that had been signed at the height of the market. In other cases, financing in many of these new developments has dried up or buyers simply no longer have funds available or the ability to arrange financing in order to purchase the apartment. Many disputes have been resolved with reduced purchase prices and compromises on the return of a portion of the deposit. In other cases, buyers looked for technicalities for getting out of their contracts, sometimes successfully. At the moment, there are still many unresolved cases and it is still unclear how sponsors and defaulting buyers will work out their differences. It should be noted that a recent decision by the Federal District Court in New York, on an issue related to the disclosure required by a developer as a part of the Offering Plan, has been decided in favor of the developer. Although many buyers were hoping that a favorable decision would create an escape hatch from their contracts, sponsors may now be successful in retaining deposits that are presently the subject of a dispute or a lawsuit.

Residential Reality: Avoid Litigation, If You Can

Although most folks view a residential real estate transaction as a “win win” proposition, in many cases, when parties litigate a dispute, it often turns out to be a ”lose lose” proposition for all involved. As we navigate through the difficult waters of a shaky real estate market, both sellers and buyers have to consider carefully whether litigation is appropriate when a dispute arises that prevents the parties from closing. At the end of the day, if at all possible, find a solution that each party can live with and move on.

Be cautious with out-of-state banks and Internet lenders...

Asked and Answered

Q

I don’t smoke, but the smell of smoke is wafting into my apartment from my neighbor. Is there anything that can be done to remedy this condition?

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Q

I’m selling my co-op tomorrow and my bank attorney has not yet received the stock certificate and proprietary lease from my bank. Will the closing have to be adjourned?

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Q

The seller has indicated that there was a leak in the bathroom from the apartment above that has been repaired in all respects? Can I rely on seller’s representation to that effect in the contact?

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Q

Can I insist on closing on the date stated in the contract?

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Q

The commitment letter included a condition that my loan was subject to a “second review” by the investor to whom the loan will be sold. Has my commitment letter been issued?

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Q

Can I purchase my co-op in the name of a trust?

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Can I allow the seller to remain in possession after closing?

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There’s a repair needed in the apartment that the Seller promises to remedy after the closing. Is that a good idea?

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Do I care who the bank attorneys are?

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Do I have to go to the closing?

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One of the conditions in my loan commitment states that the monthly maintenance cannot increase by more than five percent? Is that a problem?

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Can I have a roommate after I purchase my co-op apartment?

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Can I undertake renovations before the Closing?

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Do I need a home owner’s insurance policy for my apartment at the time of my closing?

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Should I let the broker do the walk through?

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Once I get a loan commitment, is my loan approved?

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When it comes to purchasing an apartment, what exactly is due diligence?

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Do I have to let the maintenance people in to fix a building system?

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Does my dog have to be interviewed by the Board?

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Is buying an apartment in a small building a good idea or a bad idea?

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Can I fudge on my numbers in my financial package to the Board?

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Q

Should I use a mortgage broker or should I go direct to a bank?

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Q

Should I have the apartment inspected before I sign the contract?

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Do I Really Have to Give the Board My Tax Returns?

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Q

I am purchasing an apartment with extensive landscaping on the terrace. Can the co-op or condo make me remove landscaping that was existing at the time of my purchase?

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Q

I have an opportunity to buy a garage space, but the sponsor is calling the arrangement a “license” rather than a “purchase”. Does that matter?

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Q

We are considering an apartment that will require us to move the bathroom to another location in the apartment. Is such a move possible?

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Q

The seller’s bank can’t locate the stock and lease for the co-op closing. Can we still close?

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Q

The broker told me that I can adjourn the closing for 30 days? Is that correct?

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Q

The Offering Plan for my condo indicates that the apartment has a “lot line” window. Is that a problem?

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Q

My dog bit someone in the lobby and I have been notified that if it happens again, my dog will have to go. Does the Board have the power to restrict me from having a pet?

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Q

There is an unobstructed view from the apartment I am considering, but there is a vacant lot directly in front of that side of the building. Is that reason for concern?

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The Managing Agent called and it looks like my finances will not be sufficient to get Board approval. Is there anything I can do?

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Q

The managing agent has had our application to purchase a cooperative apartment for three weeks and nothing has happened. Is there anything we can do to move things forward?

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We are considering an apartment in a co-op where the sponsor still owns units. Is that a problem?

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Q

The seller’s apartment presently has a storage unit. Does the storage unit transfer with the apartment?

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Q

We’re closing in three weeks, but our lease is up next week. Can we move in before the closing?

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Q

I just did the walk through on the purchase of a sponsor unit and we have an extensive punch list. Will the punch list be completed by the time of closing?

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I’m buying an apartment from a sponsor and the Offering Plan requires me to pay the sponsor’s transfer taxes and attorneys fees. Do I have to?

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Q

The purchase price of my apartment is over $1,000,000.00. Is the transaction subject to the “mansion tax"?

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Q

I’m selling my apartment, but I’m not a resident of New York State. Are there any special closing costs?

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Q

We did the walk through and the apartment was filthy. The contract required the apartment to be “broom clean”. Can we complain at the closing?

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Q

I have to sell my apartment in order to afford the new one I’d like to buy. Can the contract be contingent on the sale of my existing apartment?

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I’m a famous person (no, I really am) and I really don’t want my financial information given to eight strangers on a co-op Board. Is there a way to avoid that?

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I’m the executor of the estate of a deceased shareholder. Do I have to go to the closing?

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Q

I just graduated law school and have a job with a large law firm. I have a significant salary, but no liquidity or significant assets. Will I be able to buy a co-op?

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Q

The listing indicates that the apartment has “roof rights”. How can I be sure?

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Q

When buying a condo, is it worth the time and effort to get an assignment of the seller’s mortgage?

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Q

The Seller removed an expensive chandelier right before Closing. Is that permitted?

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Q

My husband and I found an apartment we love, but there’s a bidding war. Should we participate?

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We love the apartment, but the building has bad financials. Should we go ahead?

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Q

My closing is in December, but the lease for my apartment does not expire until the following March. What do I do with my lease?

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Q

We are buying a condo, but we have a delayed closing as the seller has a tenant in place for the next six months. We will be able to retain our loan commitment for an extended period of time?

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Q

Should my husband and I take title as tenants by the entirety, tenants in common or as joint tenants?

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Q

When a gay couple buys the shares of a cooperative or buys a condominium apartment, what is the best way to hold title?

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Q

I have not been able to make my co-op mortgage payment for the past three months. If the bank declares my loan in default, how long will it take before the bank forecloses on my apartment?

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A co-op owner asks: I have found that maintenance is usually higher in coops than in condos because of the contribution by the shareholders to the building's underlying mortgage payments. In condos, the unit owners only pay for real estate taxes and common charges for common areas. Will the monthly maintenance be reduced after the underlying mortgage has been fully amortized?

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Can a corporation or other business entity own the shares of a cooperative apartment?

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I’m buying an apartment in a building designated as a “landmark.” Should I be concerned?

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I am buying a co-op that needs major renovations. The super has offered to do the work at a significant discount. Is that a good idea?

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We just submitted the Board package and we realize that we neglected to disclose a lawsuit against my husband’s company, in which my husband is named as a defendant? The lawsuit is covered by insurance and my husband is indemnified from liability by his employer. Should we notify the managing agent and amend the purchase application?

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We are negotiating the contract and we just found out that there is a substantial assessment that will go into effect the month that we close on the purchase. Should the assessment be deducted from the purchase price at closing?

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The bank attorney was two hours late to the closing. Was that my attorney’s fault?

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Q

I’m buying a cooperative apartment in Manhattan, but I move out to the Hamptons from June to the end of September each year. Will I be able to sublet the apartment each year when I’m away?

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Q

I just got the purchase application package and it's twenty pages long. Should my broker be helping me with organizing the required documents?

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It’s the day before the closing and I just found out that the maintenance for the apartment is higher than the maintenance stated in the contract. Is that grounds to terminate the contract?

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The financials for the condo are more than a year out of date and there is a delay issuing the new financials. Should I be concerned?

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The contract requires “official bank funds” in the form of certified or official bank checks. Can I bring “official" checks from my brokerage account?

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Q

My parents want to buy me an apartment while I’m in graduate school in Manhattan. Will a co-op allow me to purchase the apartment, if my parents are co-owners?

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Q

I obtained sole ownership of my condo in my divorce, but the deed for the apartment is still in both of our names. Will my ex-spouse’s cooperation be required when I’m ready to sell the apartment?

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I just found out I have to pay a fee to have my mortgage recorded. Is that right?

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I am buying an apartment in a small building and I just found out that the elevator is being renovated and will be out of service for three months. Do I have to close if the elevators will not be operational on the closing date?

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My husband and I own a co-op and we would like to transfer the shares to an irrevocable trust that we recently created for estate planning purposes. Will our cooperative allow us to make that transfer?

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Q

The seller is a foreign citizen and does not have a social security number. Does that prevent the seller from selling the apartment?

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An “assessment” was imposed by the co-op Board after the contract was signed. Is payment of the assessment the seller’s responsibility?

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There is a leak in my apartment and the Resident Manager is not being responsive. Should I call the Board president?

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I just bought an apartment and I am only refinishing the floors and repainting. Do I need the consent of the Board before I get started?

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The co-op I’m interested in is pet friendly and I have a dog. Is there any chance the Board could approve my application without approving my pet?

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Q

We purchased our apartment in January, but our first mortgage payment is not due until March 1st. Why isn't the first payment due February 1st?

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I’m buying an apartment from a sponsor and the contract does not provide for a “mortgage contingency”. Is that a provision that I can negotiate into the contract?

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I am buying an apartment from a sponsor and the contract provides for the buyer to pay the sponsor’s transfer taxes and legal fees? Is that normal?

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I'm buying a condo and my attorney just ordered the "title report". What's a title report?

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There is a leak in my apartment and the Resident Manager is not being responsive. Should I call the Board president?

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Q

My boyfriend and I are interested in buying our first apartment in a new construction condominium. Our mortgage broker tells us we should qualify for a 90% loan, but it will be a close call for the bank. The sponsor wants us to sign a “no contingency” contract. Is that a good idea?

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We are considering a condo purchase in a new development that is only 25 percent sold. There is a bank that has approved the project and will make the loan, but should we be concerned about the number of units that the sponsor still has to sell?

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We are buying an apartment that has been extensively renovated. Among other things, the size of the master bath was significantly increased. Can we rely on a representation in the contract that all required approvals were obtained from both the Cooperative Corporation and from the New York City Department of Buildings?

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Q

We received a draft of the contract of sale for the cooperative apartment we are buying and our social security numbers are on the front page! Our attorney told us that we will have to provide our identification numbers to the managing agent for a credit check as a part of the Board package, so it’s not a big deal. Do we have to list our socials on the contract?

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Q

The listing stated that the apartment was 1,100 square feet, but the appraisal measured the apartment at 900 square feet. Can we cancel the contract and get our money back?

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Q

I'm about to pay off my co-op loan. What evidence will I have from the bank that the loan has actually been paid off?

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Q

I am considering an apartment in a new construction condominium. There is park under development by New York City that will greatly enhance the value of the condominium when it’s completed. Although the sponsor’s salesperson indicated that the first phase of the park will be completed in the next year or so, the Offering Plan contains a “Special Risk” that states that the sponsor gives no assurance as to when, if ever, the park will be completed. Who and what should I believe?

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Q

We are in negotiations to purchase a co-op apartment on the Upper East Side. Our lawyer reviewed the minutes and discovered that the building has a bedbug infestation. Should we go forward with our purchase?

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Q

My purchase application was approved by the co-op Board, but it is conditioned upon my providing a maintenance deposit and guaranty by my parents. Do I have to comply with the conditions?

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Q

At my closing, I had to reimburse the Seller for his New York State “STAR” rebate that appeared on the maintenance statement for the month following the Closing. What exactly is the STAR rebate and will I be able to obtain the rebate as well?

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Q

I'm selling my co-op next month and my attorney aked me to "freeze" the line of credit I have with my bank. What exactly do I have to do?

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Q

I just found out that the seller will be unable to close for an additional two weeks. As a result, I will have to extend my rate lock, at a cost of $1,200.00. Is the seller obligated to reimburse this cost?

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Q

I am buying a new construction condo and the Offering Plan is over 400 pages. Do I need to read the entire Offering Plan?

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Q

We ran across a co-op that has a few “sponsor owned” apartments for sale. Is there any advantage in buying one of the remaining sponsor apartments?

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Q

I am about to make an offer on an apartment, but I have not been provided with the current financial statements for the co-op. Am I entitled to review the financials before I make my offer?

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Q

We are selling our apartment to our neighbor, but our neighbor can’t afford to purchase our apartment unless she sells her apartment. Her lawyer wants the contract to provide that the purchase of our apartment is contingent upon the sale of her apartment. Our lawyer is advising us against including a provision that makes the transaction contingent on the sale of the buyer’s apartment. Should we go along with the contingency?

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Q

We are selling our co-op and the buyer is not obtaining a mortgage in connection with the purchase. The contract required the Board package to be submitted within 10 business days after the fully-executed contract was returned to the buyer. The buyer is two weeks late in submitting the package. Is the buyer in default?

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Q

I’m selling my condo and I have not been able to pay my common charges for the past six months (I lost my job). I have a buyer for the apartment, but the Board of Managers will not release the Waiver of the Right of First Refusal, unless I pay the outstanding balance of the common charges. I’m between a rock and a hard place, as I don’t have the money. What should I do?

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Q

I am combining two adjacent apartments that I own and I want the co-op to issue one stock certificate for both apartments. There is an outstanding UCC lien against one of the apartments. The other apartment is owned free of any liens. Can the co-op object to the combination?

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Q

My attorney asked me to contact the managing agent to verify the maintenance and assessment information that's disclosed in the contract for the apartment I intend to purchase. Isn't that my attorney's job?

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Our application to purchase a co-op was turned down by the Board without an interview. Although our attorney asked the managing agent to disclose the reasons for the Board’s decision, none were given. Can the Board just turn our application down without any explanation?

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Q

My bank issued a loan commitment, but then withdrew its underwriting because private mortgage insurance was not available. Will I have a problem canceling the contract and getting my deposit back?

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Q

The seller has a storage bin, but the contract indicates that the apartment does not come with a storage bin. If I buy the apartment, can I be sure that a storage bin be avaialable?

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Q

I’ve been asked to serve on the Board of my co-op. Could I be held liable if the co-op is a party to a law suit?

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I am buying a co-op in Manhattan. The managing agent is located in Brooklyn and refuses to send a closing representative to the attorney’s office for the buyer or seller located in Manhattan. Will everyone have to go to Brooklyn for the closing?

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We are purchasing a condo that was occupied by a tenant at the time the contract was executed. We just did the walk through and there is damage to a portion of the floor that was hidden by the tenant’s furniture. Are we entitled to a repair credit at Closing?

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A loan commitment was issued, but the bank requested an explanation for a $14.00 missed credit card payment that occurred nine years ago. Could the bank withdraw its commitment as a result of this missed payment?

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I'm selling my co-op, which I own with my mother and father. Is it okay to have the closing checks made out to the three of us?

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A leaking pipe inside the wall of my co-op was recently replaced. The following month, my maintenance account was charged $1,000.00 on the theory that the pipe only serviced my apartment. Am I responsible for this repair?

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A condo buyer has a mortgage contingency, but the closing will not take place for six months as the seller has a tenant in the apartment. When should the purchaser apply for financing?

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We submitted our Board package a month ago, but the Board has not scheduled an interview or asked for any additional information. To make matters worse, the managing agent won’t give us any indication as to what’s going on. Is there anything we can do?

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Q

My co-op contract included the seller’s flat screen, but the bank underwriter required that it be removed from the contract as it was “impacting” loan to value. Can the bank do that?

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Q

I am buying an apartment in a small co-op that is self managed. How does the bank obtain the required “co-op questionnaire” in order to complete its underwriting?

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Q

I'm selling my apartment. When can I cancel my insurance coverage?

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Q

My condo has requested access to my apartment in order to make repairs to the plumbing lines located in the ceiling. Am I obligated to give the super access to make the repairs?

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