building at 41 Fifth Avenue

Be on the look-out for a doorman named "J Cortez".
"Basic" lives in that neighborhood and is certain that he stole her 50-pound , $500 table from the DHL delivery guy-- Can't be sure, because the building has no security camera system.

Does 41 Fifth Ave. at least have a security camera system?

"Looks like they were in contract for 3 months and now back on the market? Never a good sign. "

It can be a completely meaningless event with regards to the quality and desirability of the building and/or apartment.

Mortgages can take that long. The tight inventory means that many sellers ask for closing delays.

If the apartment didn't make appraisal and the buyers didn't want to make up the difference (I personally can't imagine ever doing so), then the deal is off.

And of course with co-ops there's the board approval process. Some buyers have what is delicately called a "skeleton in the closet," and unless you pay for a private investigator or a serious background check, the seller is not always going to catch it pre contract signing. But the co-op board might pay for a serious background check and find the skeleton. That's what seems to have happened to our buyers.

Yes, of course, Flutistic.
Maybe the buyer has "skeletons in the closet".
Maybe the Building has "skeletons in the closet". No need for "a private investigator", unless there is something to investigate. " A serious background check" should be done by a serious buyer's attorney.
It works both ways.

Good point; the appraisal probably came in below the agreed upon price. It's also possible that the buyers didn't like what was uncovered during their attorney's due diligence. Discerning buyers don't want to make an investment in a building with low capital reserves, rising maintenance, and frequent assessments. The requirement to have a 24/7 elevator operator is also a financial drain.

Having a 24/7 elevator operator is so last century.
Having a doorman: WOW!, what a concept.

A security camera system is just a drain on the building's reserves.

haha Truth, no J. Cortez there I checked

Good enough, basicinformation.
I don't doubt that there may be a "J Cortez" employed as a doorman in Manhattan.
If you were to find him, there's no proof that he signed for that delivery and took your table.
Enjoy your replacement table, in good health, basic.
(at least you can share a sense of humor about it.)

J. Cortez, that's a good one. I myself use A. Ready when I'm fake signing. Sometimes A. Hart.

I made the mistake of renting (very discretely) from an owner 4-5 years ago for 2 weeks. It was a nightmare because the elevator operator goes to bed at 11:00 p.m.!!! To gain entry to the building, I had to wake him up and he was very, very rude. Being a tourist and loving theater, I always went out to dinner after the theater and then to a piano bar for a few drinks. Waking him up in the middle of the night pissed him off to no end and he threatened to report me to the board until I convinced him I was a guest of the owner. Unless you are purchasing on a low floor and can walk the stairs to your apartment, I would think twice about this place unless you are in by 10 p.m. and intend to stay in for the night.

the elevator is definitely running 24/7 in that building

Basic Information: Too bad you don't have any. Know what you're talking about before making an ass out of yourself.

pretty pleasant comment. no point in proving you wrong when I hear such aggressivity but you are, maybe you had bad luck during your couple of weeks clandestine stay, but you definitely are wrong about this building

Sorry for the aggressivity. It was a lovely building and a beautiful apartment, but I am not kidding or lying about the elevator man. That was some years ago, so perhaps things have changed. I think at the time, the night doorman and the elevator man were one in the same, which created the problem. Again, sorry for the rudeness. I'm just a naïve Californian.

41 Fifth has a part time doorman and a full time elevator man. The elevator man may have been pulling double duty or trying to nap, but I doubt this was the real source for his consternation. It is more likely he was annoyed that you were illegally subletting an apartment in the building and lying to him. Or maybe he didn't recognize you and felt more at liberty to express annoyance at someone who doesn't live in the building. Or maybe, just maybe, you generally provoke negativity.

Being voted President of my association 3 terms in a row (and with lots of competition) makes it highly unlikely that I generally provoke negativity. Reading several of your posts, however, shows me that you are a moron who doesn't know his ass from his elbow. I was nothing but kind and ultra-polite to the personnel of that building, and was personally introduced to everyone as the owner's best friend from San Francisco. Who knows, maybe he said that to everyone. I'm sick of assholes like you who judge people without knowing the slightest thing about them. As much as I enjoy New York architecture, New York apartments, and theater -- albeit slightly inferior to London theater, it's jerks like you who give New York City (and particularly Manhattan) a really bad name. You must be very unhappy. Ever tried therapy???? Sometimes it works.