Courting Destiny

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Weekend update: coop war unmasked

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A brief recap: My luxe Upper West Side Manhattan coop has had some very strange happenings this past year. Some doormen were fired; others resigned. It sometimes feels as if the Super runs the building.

We were told at the annual shareholders meeting that we are too immature to know what’s going on in the building we own stock in. Oh but we’re not. They said that we would run back and tell the doormen. This was of course beyond insulting as we paid much money to buy our apartments and pay maintenance each month, plus an annual assessment.

1) How immature could we be if we can come up with that much money?

Don’t think that they let parents buy apartments for children; a potential owner must have several times the amount you spend for your apartment in fairly liquid assets. Had to supply ten references when I bought my apartment; plus I did my own board package.

A board package entails listing all your assets and debts, explaining your life story basically, supplying three years worth of income tax statements, and much more. It’s almost as dreaded as the board interview. Most people have their accountant and/or lawyer do it. Did my own as I’m cheap and good at filling out long tedious forms. It put me in touch with my inner net worth, and (okay I am a nerd) I had fun doing it.

The prior owner’s real estate agent loved me because he hadn’t met many people who could talk finances so easily. My dad was a CPA. This was a what would daddy do assignment. Did buy my apartment when it was still fairly cheap. My apartment was under priced, almost perfect, and it was love at first sight. First marked the ad, eight years ago, next Tuesday, bid on the spot, it was the beginning of the days you had to do that, went into contract the next week. No August board meeting so I had to wait until September for that, closed in October, and then it was mine, all mine. The first real estate I sort of ever owned, except for two cemetery plots! Trust me, I didn’t buy the plots. Say “sort of” about the apartment because I really own shares in the corporation.

2) Doesn’t everybody have the right to know what’s going on in their own building?

Gag me with a knife. A very reliable source told me that Fernando, the doorman’s ex-wife is living with a Board Member–this began while they were still married and living together.

Now everything makes perfect sense.

Comments

  1. Your apartment sounds like heaven, save perhaps for the difficulty you’re having with the company. I think you absolutly have a right to know what’s going on in your building, especially if your a shareholder. 🙂

    Anyway, I find your blog very interesting, your a great writer! I hope your problems with your apartment get easier soon!

    Kristyn Marie

  3. You have a beautiful layout for your blog I’m extremly jealous. I’m also jealous of the fact that you have a city apartment.

  4. god what a bunch….

    I am very upset. one of my favourite bloggers are closing down due to a new clause in his company’s policy – “all personal blogs much get company approval”

    WHAT??? What is this world we’re living in, where our boss can control what we do and say in our time off!?

  7. I do politics at Bring it on! Except when I can’t stop myself, then…

    actually, (my word of the decade) I think the coop board wants to keep us from talking to Fernando, so that we won’t know this info.

    Had I been given an opportuntity to talk at the meeting I would have said that I have spent the past almost eight years (just realized that it’s been that long) trying to understand the rest of Fernando’s life story.

    We never talk about the women in his life.

    He’s a born again who strays. Though I think he finally found the right woman–only know this because she was in the lobby—kind of hard to miss–and I as an owner would always invite her in to it.

    I prefer my men who stray not to complicate life with religion–like Rafe who is deeply spirtitual and has never strayed with either Lucia or I. Lucia and I did a blood oath thing once to make sure. We were under the influence and we can act like ten year olds.

  8. Well, at least you are “in the know now.” I was waiting for this, but am still concerned about anyone going in your apartment. Being “in the know” does not protect you from creeps! I still vote for the video.

    JC

  9. Of course you have the right to know what’s going on. It sounds to me like it’s the Super/Board Members that are being too immature.

  10. Hello, my name is JJ. I was looking through some blogs and I think you might like a blog I am starting up. It’s called The Human Quilt. The Human Quilt has a goal of sharing the lives, expressions, emotions, memories, secrets, and desires of people across the globe. Share your story in a square. Each square tells the story of a life. I would greatly appreciate it if you take a look and give me some input. Thanks a lot. http://humanquilt.blogspot.com/