Reference Letters

For the bank reference--that is very easy. Most banks here in NYC are familiar with this request and all you need to do is walk in and talk with a customer service rep. They will provide you with a standard letter that shows your current balance, how long you've been with the bank, and your standing. One bank account is no problem--makes things a lot easier!

Do you do any financial business with other entities (loans/mortgages, a money manager for a stock portfolio, etc)? If so, one of those folks can do a letter for you. If you absolutely have NO additional financial entities with which you do business, you could likely have a second, more personal letter written by a manager at your bank. Check with the broker on this, though, as he/she will be more familiar with your specific building's requirements.

For the personal letter--you can pick whomever you like. I think a boss is a very good choice for one of the letters--provided he likes you and will say nice things about you! but you should also consider someone who knows you well and can add some interesting anecdotes, which will humanize you (remember, the board won't have met you--their first impression of you is thru your letters and financial pkg).

If you have any good pals who are, say, doctors, social workers or in other 'respectable' professions--they'd be great candidates for a letter.

You'll probably want to draft up a prototype letter for your chosen references to use as a template. Some of your references may ask you to write the entire letter and have them sign it. It will likely be a collaborative effort.

^^ Last sentence should say 'with OTHERS it will likely be a collaborative effort.

^^ what Bram said, plus -- you want to try to tie in to the co-op. People who live in the building are best, of course, but people who live in the neighborhood -- "It would be so great to have DK right around the corner" are good too.

And PLEASE, ask your broker. Your broker should not only be guiding you to your references, he/she should be reviewing every letter as it comes in.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

^^ and oh, if this a fake post set up to generate an article, I'd prefer not to have my statements quoted without attribution. I'm sad that I even have to say this.

a

I just went through this. For the reference letters, the best are from charitable organizations or like museums. Personal references coming from someone with a New York address are preferable. You can write the letters and give them to the intended letter writer to customize (embellish), this makes it easier and more likely that you’ll get the letter that you want. Letters should be addressed to the coop board and not to you.

If you don’t have an accountant then a stock broker could be good and do you have a contact at your bank, that would be better than a simple account verification letter.

And, yes, the broker should guide you through this.

Good luck!

" as a board member at 1000 6th ave, i understand the importance of your process......based on my longtime friendship with the fuck family, i can say with great comfort that they will be terribly difficult neighbors"

Thanks for the input. I went to a local NYC branch of my bank and they wrote me up a financial reference on the spot. I just need to figure out what to do for the second financial reference. I do have a brokerage account, but I do not have a personal financial advisor (I purchase securities in the account on my own) so that probably isn%u2019t what they are looking for.

As far as the personal letters I was going to use my boss, a neighbor that can say I am not loud, but I am stuck on the last one. My vet said he could write one saying I am a responsible pet owner and my pet well behaved (I have a dog which the board allows). I am just looking to address all of the board's possible concerns. Do you think this would suffice? Does anyone have any better ideas from past successes or from a board member prospective?

Wbuttocks!