I admit it. I was pissed. Every year for the past fifteen years, I’ve had a private perch atop my fourteenth floor terrace from which to take in the July 4th fireworks. Then NYU came and built a monster dorm that wiped out my view. It got me wondering: Can you protect your view? Read more »

That’s what boards sometimes say when they screwed up and don’t want anyone to know what they did so they won’t look bad or worse get sued. Maybe it’s not surprising. That’s what Obama said was the reason for not pursuing criminal charges against those waterboarding Bushies. But, hey, he had the excuse that mucking with the past could destroy the future morale of the troops or foreign relations, not a claim any co-op or condo board could make with a straight face. What should they -- or you -- do? Read more »

OK, you can rant all you want about those greedy lawyers, but sometimes you need them. And buying or selling an apartment is one of those times. A reader of The Co-op Bible gave my book a great review (for which I am thankful), but suggested I add a chapter on being your own lawyer. I respectfully disagree. It’s like having a baby without a doctor – sort of. If everything goes as planned, you’ll look like a genius. But if it doesn’t, you’ll rue your imprudence as your apartment hangs in the balance. What can go wrong? Read more »