Please HELP me with this CONDO Board Package

You are getting worried over nothing. The letter from an attorney friend is fine, an ex mayor for a condo I would not worry. I would not use a politician as a reference in a coop though (:

Just get three nice people to write you glowing letters make sure they are on letterhead and are signed. That's it.

Thanks KeithB.

Proxy, Keith is 100% correct. Having personally assisted a multitude of people through the board package process (both Condos and Co-ops), i can confirm that you have nothing to worry about. The personal reference letters they are seeking are more a technicality than something that would derail your purchase. Simply ask three friends to put in writing how terrific of a person you are and you're all set :).

Since we are talking Condo here, it's all bullshit anyway since they can't reject you, only exercise their right of first refusal, which 99+% of the time they will do on price alone.

However, I have to disagree when it come to Coops: especially on the UES and especially West of Third Ave and especially how "snooty' the building is, who your reference letters come from CAN make a big difference. But even in "lesser" buildings, a reference letter from a "well liked" shareholder (or even former shareholder) in the building can be a big plus. I also think you have to be careful about using letters from celebrities (especially rock stars. sports stars, etc) because some Boards might read into them that you will have rowdy parties or other "issues" because of them. For example, an agent in my office was showing Madonna apartments. In one somewhat snooty building, they were coming down from viewing a unit and the elevator stopped before the lobby and someone tried to get on the elevator, but her security held his arm out and he either told her directly or indirectly to "take the next one". I would never approve either Madonna or any friend of Madonna's in any building where I was on the Board, because I don't want people who are going to have visitors who think they can tell residents not to get on THEIR (i.e. the shareholder's) elevator. and i fi remember correctly, she sued the Coop she lived in twice.......

I used to Live next to Sean and Madonna in Malibu, I remember they jogged by us as we were walking to a break we surfed at and I yelled at "Spicoli!!". Sean gave us a nasty look, Madonna busted out laughing.

You don't need to submit any information to the Condo "board" other than your name, current address, and phone number. They have absolutely no power over your ability to purchase this unit anyway.

although condo's generally approve most purchasers with no problem if the board package is not complete they can hold up the right of first refusal letter and delayclosing. The building has rules and wants to know who is living there so just give them what they want, much less hassle than coop board package

klara :)

"The building has rules and wants to know who is living there"

Any "rules" requiring more than the applicant's name, address, and phone number are ILLEGAL, and need not be followed.

A refrence from Jeff Spicoli would go a long way with me if I were reviewing the package.

It would read:
All I need is some tasty waves, a cool buz and, I'm fine.

Just make sure Mr.Hand is not a board member otherwise...no shirt, no shoes, no dice.

Anything from Damon would be frowned upon. Even a five point plan.

So, Matt, you think it's illegal for a Condo Board to ask for a copy of the Contract of Sale in order to decide if they want to exorcise their Right of First Refusal?

So he says, despite the fact that a lender won't lend, and a title insurer won't insure, without buyer and seller complying with the terms of the by-laws. Matt may be confusing a condo unit with a generic piece of land.

"So, Matt, you think it's illegal for a Condo Board to ask for a copy of the Contract of Sale in order to decide if they want to exorcise their Right of First Refusal?"

That's perfectly fine.

What's not perfectly fine -- or even legal -- is an invasive and comprehensive BOARD PACKAGE.