Spoofing and Phishing Attempts, and How to Protect Yourself

January 3, 2023

In today’s digital world, scammers are constantly finding new ways to take advantage of others. One such method is to fraudulently impersonate someone else by “spoofing” and/or “phishing.”[1] Spoofing is a means by which a scammer is able to forge or imitate the identity of someone else.[2] Subsequently, they may use the spoofed identity to […]

From CNN: Home Sales Increase, Defying Expectations

December 28, 2022

As reported by CNN, home sales rose during November 2022 for the second month in a row despite a bleak forecast. This rise runs counter to both continuing high mortgage rates and increasing home prices (which dropped slightly this month), as well as a typical slowdown of sales during the winter holidays. For more information, […]

Proposed Changes to Address Housing Needs in NYC

In New York City, many struggle with “homelessness, living in poor quality housing, or . . . keep[ing] up with housing costs.”[1] As a result, New York City released a blueprint aimed to address these issues. The five main goals the City seeks to accomplish are: Transforming NYCHA housing; Addressing homelessness and housing instability; Creating […]

Changes to Emission Standards of NYC Co-ops & Condos

December 23, 2022

In 2019, New York City passed Local Law 97, dubbing it “one of the most ambitious plans for reducing emissions in the nation.”[1] What is Local Law 97? Local Law 97’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by requiring certain buildings to meet new energy efficiency standards.[2] However, these restrictions only apply to certain […]

Purchasing a Condo: What to Expect at the Closing Table

December 14, 2022

Congratulations! You are almost to the finish line of your Condominium purchase. Please take a moment to review the information below so that you may better understand what to expect as we approach your closing day. Please note that some of the specifics described below may change based on the particular circumstances of your transaction. […]

From CNN: New York’s Skinniest Skyscraper Completes Construction

December 6, 2022

Steinway Tower, a luxury apartment building on the site of the former Steinway & Sons piano company, recently finished construction. While it’s only the third tallest building in New York City, it is being touted as the skinniest skyscraper in the world, with a height-to-width ratio of 24:1, and follows the trend for similar narrow […]

What does it mean for a clause to be “Boilerplate?” A Primer

December 2, 2022

The term “boilerplate” is often thrown around without knowledge of its origins. This term is deeply rooted in the legal profession, but do most lawyers know how it evolved? “Boilerplate” describes the standardized text in a contract or legal document. This expression emerged in the 19th century, when steel plates were used as templates to […]

Cooperative Board Approval Process

November 24, 2022

The board approval process is one of the key stages in the purchase/sale of a cooperative, occurring shortly after execution of the contract of sale. The sellers of a cooperative unit generally have some experience with the board approval process, having gone through the process themselves at some point. Buyers may not have a similar […]

Mortgage Contingency Clause Explained

Sellers and Buyers alike often inquire as to the meaning of the “mortgage contingency clause,” one of the more significant clauses in New York real estate contracts. Simply put, a mortgage contingency clause ensures that if a buyer promptly applies for a loan from a qualified lender, but fails to obtain a firm commitment for […]