CoopAndCondo.com - Addressing the realities of Residential Real Estate

Pretty, Pretty Bad

Pretty, Pretty Bad

Manhattan’s Real Estate Hangover

As Manhattan starts 2020, residential real estate prospects in New York City look grim for the year ahead. With a stratospheric stock market, low interest rates and virtually non-existent unemployment, why would the co-op and condo market experience a bit of a dip? It doesn’t take an seasoned economist to figure out that buying, owning and selling an apartment in Manhattan has gotten very expensive. In addition, disclosure requirements have minimized the ability of a limited liability company to hide the identities of the principals actually purchasing or selling the real estate. Borrowing from David Byrne, “You may ask yourself, how did we get here?”

Changes in the Tax Laws

On both the federal and state level, Manhattan got wacked big time on the costs of purchasing and owning an apartment. On the federal level, the tax deduction for state and local taxes was limited to $10,000. Deductibility of mortgage interest was reduced to loans having a value of $750,000 from $1,000,000. Deductibility of mortgage interest was eliminated on second homes and deductibility of mortgage interest on lines of credit was materially limited. As if that wasn’t enough of a chilling effect on owning an apartment, New York State increased transfer taxes applicable to both sellers and purchasers significantly. The transfer tax for sellers increased to 0.65% from .04%, once the purchase price goes above $3,000,000. The so called mansion tax for purchasers gradually increases from 1% for purchases of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 and rises to 3.9% for purchases of $25,000,000 or more. But wait, there’s more…

Excessive Inventory

As reported in the Times in September 2019 by Stefanos Chen, 1 in 4 condos remain unsold in buildings constructed since 2013. That’s a total of 4,100 units. Wow. Even if the tax laws had remained the same, excessive inventory will push prices downward for quite some time. How long developers can continue to hold large inventories, particularly if the economy falters, is another serious factor that could further impact Manhattan’s real estate woes.

Expiring Tax Abatements

With the tacit assistance of the formally Republican controlled New York State legislature, developers helped themselves to a smorgasbord of tax benefits to improve sales of new condo developments. One of the key features of many new buildings was the abatement of real estate taxes for up to 25 years. I won’t get into the weeds on how the abatements came to be or the complicated scheme by which they were applied for and approved, or why the legislature and governor eventually decided to let a significant tax benefit expire.  Suffice to say, the idea that a condo buyer would have limited real estate taxes for a significant period of time incentivized buyers to pull the trigger and allowed developers to increase purchase prices. Abatement schemes can be hard to understand. I don’t believe many buyers fully appreciated what the cost of ownership would be once the abatements started to diminish and ultimately end. In fact, another pressure on the market at the moment, is the expiration of many such tax abatements. As reported in the New York Times, in one case, the annual real estate taxes on a two bedroom condo increased from approximately $1,200.00 in 2010 to over $30,000.00 today. The negative impact on pricing and sales cannot be over-estimated as a result of skyrocketing real estate taxes.

Disclosure Distress

You can’t over emphasize the importance of a limited liability company as a vehicle for buyers of condos seeking privacy. New York City put a chink in that armor by requiring buyers and sellers to disclose the name, address and tax ID numbers of all members of the LLC selling or buying a condominium. That was certainly bad enough. In September, in an act of what some thought was temporary insanity, Albany passed a law that required buyers and sellers of 1 to 4 family properties, to disclose the identities of all “natural persons” owning membership interests in the LLC. If an entity owned a membership interest, then the identities of the owners of that entity would have to be disclosed as well. In a town benefiting from (sometimes questionable) foreign buyers as well as high profile wealthy folks seeking anonymity, the idea that there would no longer be any way to shield disclosure of who was buying what, led to an all out assault by the real estate lobby to exclude condos from the new NYS disclosure requirement. In October, a “clarification” was issued stating that condos were not intended to be included in the new disclosure requirements. For the moment, things remain as they were, with some disclosure still required. But first blood has been drawn and there will no doubt be more efforts to increase transparency in New York City real estate transactions.

Cue the Pyscho Shower Scene Music: The Pied a Terre Tax

So, as if all of the above was not enough, last March, some legislators thought it would be a good idea to add an annual surcharge tax on high end purchasers of second home apartments. The tax was intended to apply to  apartments with a value of $5,000,000 or more. The graduated tax would increase as the value of the apartments increase. Although it’s hard to say how many of the over 75,000 second home apartments in New York City would be impacted by the tax, there is no question that it would have an additional chilling effect on purchasers in this segment of the market. Fortunately, the tax surcharge was tabled when the mansion tax was increased. Nevertheless, the proposed tax appears to still be lurking in minds of some legislators. Many in the real estate industry are predicting the collapse of apartment sales in Manhattan if the pied a terre tax becomes a reality. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but any additional cost  in owning an apartment, will continue to stress an already fragile marketplace.  

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

The old joke punchline is that said light is the headlight of an oncoming train. I guess you’d call that good old fashion gallows humor. It’s not clear how much more economic pressure the New York City real estate industrial complex can handle. New York City is a resilient place. That’s been proven over and over again. Yet there might be a tipping point when the economic burden of owning an apartment forces folks to look for other alternatives.

 

When it comes to a Board package, never fudge your numbers...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

Do I care who the bank attorneys are?

Click for Answer...

Q

Do I have to go to the closing?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

Can I undertake renovations before the Closing?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

Should I let the broker do the walk through?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

Does my dog have to be interviewed by the Board?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...

Q

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

Click for Answer...

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?

Click for Answer...