Bedbugs

At the rate they're spreading, anything you find out will do you no good a few weeks later. More to the point would be to make the sale contingent on the sniffer-dog not finding any bedbugs. Then have your own stuff inspected before and after the move.

Check out this NYC housing dept website. It lists complaints and violations. Although it only lists the "reported" violations, it will give you insight into the building. For example, I was interested in an apt in a specific building. I looked up the building and found there were several vermin complaints this year. So, I decided not to pursue the apartment. If bedbugs are reported, I believe it will be listed here too, but remember that not everything is reported...

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/pr/violation.shtml

The sales broker is not obliged to volunteer such information but must if asked directly. Therefore, this question should also be part of the due diligence questinnaire prepared by your attorney.

I think the way to go with this is just to write it into the contract as part of an inspection contingency.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty