I am a bit baffled why someone wants to own the design of her house that an architect designed for her. Is it because she wants money from the architect? She is not clear.
4
I think she just doesn't want a copy of her house, about which she feels proprietary, built nearby!
1
Q. 3 - so you added a couple of windows and a balcony and now are an architect? Gave me a good laugh. Good luck suing for residuals.
6
Take it as a compliment on your taste and good sense that the architect wants to use your ideas in future buildings and let it go. If you ever do find yourself visiting a house that's just like yours, you'll have a good story to tell.
2
Reading the letter about the lobby redecorating reminded me of another letter that I think was in this column a number of months back where a co-op board prohibited residents from loitering in their lobby. Residents weren't allowed to sit in the lobby's chairs, etc. Are co-op lobbies such special places that they must have the appearance of high-end luxury, some of which can't be enjoyed except by passing though without stopping or touching anything?
On the use of house plans, I don't understand why the homeowner's minor modifications would justify their exclusive use of the plans. Why anyone would care whether some other house in the region has the same modifications is beyond me. Personally I would be flattered that a builder liked my ideas so much that they incorporated the features in other homes.
On the use of house plans, I don't understand why the homeowner's minor modifications would justify their exclusive use of the plans. Why anyone would care whether some other house in the region has the same modifications is beyond me. Personally I would be flattered that a builder liked my ideas so much that they incorporated the features in other homes.
2
In my thinking, there are three kinds of lobbies. There is the "corridor lobby" that is merely a passage from the entrance to the elevator where no one lingers. Then there is the "living room lobby" with furnishings where people sit and socialize as at a hotel. Lastly, there is the "furniture showroom lobby." This strange creature has furnishings, but one cannot use them. There was a co-op near me with one that featured sofas and chairs behind a glass wall. One could longingly look at these, but that was all.
3
My co-op had to institute a lobby loitering time limit because we had tenants who would chit-chat with the doormen for hours at a time, distracting them from doing their work. Some tenants would leave children or pets there while they ran out to do chores. One basically lived in the lobby for months because she had stopped paying her electric bill. So, yes, loitering in the lobby can become a problem.
3
Re "Rising Price of a Redesign", if enough shareholders are disturbed by the escalating cost of the upgrade, they can call a special shareholders' meeting (usually requires a petition by 25% of shareholders) and change the board of directors (usually requires a simple majority). Or they can change the bylaws (typically requires a two-thirds majority) so that shareholders must approve non-essential, discretionary, spending such as super-luxury upgrades of lobbies. Check your bylaws for the required percentages.
10
Usually people join the board for thre reasons. One is because they feel it's the right thing to do for the good of the building. The second they feel they will have an advantage on getting things done for their interests. The third is Power. I have met many people who have told him they are members of the board of their building or The President of the board. Acting like the Town Marshall puffing their chest.
10
Why don't they pay people for serving on the coop board? It seems to take a lot of time and effort. No wonder people don't want to do it for free.
The By-Laws of my co-op expressly forbid any payments or "consideration" to directors.
6
It's interesting that someone which requested an architect make modifications to house plans would try to claim some form of ownership over those plans. This may be reading too much into the author's question, but it sounds similar to people which mistakenly believe that ideas are on equal footing with expertise and effort.
Anyone can come up with an idea, but it takes skill, drive and creativity to refine this into something of value. Your architect did that, not you.
Anyone can come up with an idea, but it takes skill, drive and creativity to refine this into something of value. Your architect did that, not you.
23
Clients own the plans and spec's. since they paid for it. Typical industry practice
1
Imagine how many brownstones and townhouses would never have been built if every home had to be unique!
14
Co-ops are a nightmare. I was much happier when I stopped being a homeowner and returned to being a mere renter.
5
Yes, and happy throwing away rent money month after month and having vastly reduced security in terms of a landlord not renewing your lease, etc. Oh, and I imagine you don't ever want to renovate that kitchen! Oh, and, happy to lose out on the appreciation of a major asset over the years too!
5
A home is a liability, not an asset. You must pay for any repairs, damage from flood/fire/accidents, and property taxes. You can't up and move as you can't sell in a downmarket. Neighborhoods change as they go from good to bad like Detroit and your entire home is a loss. Also WHO in their right minds has a 30 year loan today to buy a home? Jobs are no longer careers today. You can be laid off at any time or what is called "right-sized" in pathetic corporate lingo. I suppose certain areas in NYC or London and Mumbai and Singapore and such definitely go up but for a huge percentage of home buyers, it is a serious liability. When a hurricane or flood is on its way, all I do is take my backpack and disappear. I have no interest or worries about what happens to the home or area as I have nothing invested there. Renting gives you tremendous freedom. You said landlord won't renew lease? If the area is not that hot, and you never miss rent, he would beg you not to leave, the other way around against what you said. I never had a landlord not wanting me to stay in places I have lived in NYC since 1987.
2
Well that was completely useless. This was not an issue about renting - it is an issue re co-ops and condos and the boards.
Since you went there, let's go a little deeper. I've live in Manhattan for the past 27 years. I rented for the first 6 years and was fortunate enough to be able to buy my place (a condo) 21 years ago. It is THE BEST decision I've ever made financially. I've also had two stints on the board. Sure it means dealing with more responsibility and decisions than being a "mere renter", but that gives me and other owners a say on how our money is being spent. We are NOT at the mercy of a landlord who (without rent controls) could raise rents or make repairs at their discretion. Also when one rents, you just are paying someone elses mortgage and building up their equity as opposed to your own.
I would never rent again (unless forced to or for a short period).
Since you went there, let's go a little deeper. I've live in Manhattan for the past 27 years. I rented for the first 6 years and was fortunate enough to be able to buy my place (a condo) 21 years ago. It is THE BEST decision I've ever made financially. I've also had two stints on the board. Sure it means dealing with more responsibility and decisions than being a "mere renter", but that gives me and other owners a say on how our money is being spent. We are NOT at the mercy of a landlord who (without rent controls) could raise rents or make repairs at their discretion. Also when one rents, you just are paying someone elses mortgage and building up their equity as opposed to your own.
I would never rent again (unless forced to or for a short period).
4
Lobby redecoration is the most contentious matter undertaken by a board. It is not unusual for members to resign in protest over the final decision. The main problem is that there are more than one correct answer for this design problem. Think about how many identical units there are in your building and how many are decorated the same way. We do not know the size of the spaces in question, but $600k each seems quite significant. General appearances are important to a building's reputation, but I question whether this always translates into higher apartment prices. People live in their units and not the lobby.
17
A doubling in price is something the board should have to answer to. It seems very high, but of course we don't know the size of the lobby or what the renovations entail. I do think an upgraded lobby can have an effect on overall prices, though. It's true that people don't live the lobby, but the lobby is a potential buyer's first impression. A well-appointed and well-maintained lobby usually means a well-appointed and well-maintained building, and that will make someone more likely to purchase.
It's sort of like people paying a premium for units that have been professionally staged. It makes no sense -- the unit's not going to look as good when the buyer moves all her crappy furniture in -- but people like to imagine themselves living in a sleek and meticulously decorated space.
It's sort of like people paying a premium for units that have been professionally staged. It makes no sense -- the unit's not going to look as good when the buyer moves all her crappy furniture in -- but people like to imagine themselves living in a sleek and meticulously decorated space.
5