Oro Condo delays...

if you don't have yahoo account you may need to open one. I am not sure how others manage to sign in. I had yahoo account for a long time. I agree, we have about 9 members now and I need someone like you Mandy who can communicate with insiders to negotiate. I am closing in Oct and need to act asap...

FYI - stavo or whoever made the group, you should make everything private because I was just able to look and see the most current threats which included people mentioning unit numbers and their email address was public. You might not want trolls, the developer or sales agents seeing these conversations.

The other thing, now if that they have their TCO and began scheduling closings it's probably going to be very difficult to negotiate. They have no reason to give you a discount or concession at this point since you have to close by law unless you want to walk away from your deposit.

I'm not a buyer or a prospective buyer in the building but have dealt with a similar situation personally.

btw - just offering my 2 cents above regarding the yahoo group as I created a yahoo group for the same reason

well can all move to yours. What is your group's name? How do you make it private? Closed Group is that it? I made it as Restricted for now.

Our building's group is still being used since nobody has closed yet.

It's still partially public - i can see the messages..to fix this, go to management on the lefthand side, then under group settings click membership, then click edit membership type and then restricted. If that's done already, make sure under group settings you have members only checked on the archive. that might be causing it. I can't click any features on the left, but i can view the threads. test it by logging out after you make sure all your settings are marked for members only.

Some tips for being the group owner - You should keep track of all of the buyers and their unit numbers and require any new member to give you this information to join. This way if anyone tries to join and gives you a unit number already used, it's a red flag. If they arent willing to provide the info, then don't let them join. I also kept track of what was in contract and not to help.. It's obviously not fool proof, but you do what you can do..

still_in_contract, thanks for the tips. I changed the setting. I thought about asking for unit numbers as verification. But there are 300 units. And we all know that upper floors are not as sold as lower floors. Anyway don't you join the group and share the info or we can merge. I want to see if we can get some discounts on closing cost at least.

Mandy have you joined yet?

we've got more than 10 members now

Finally, we are getting some action. I've just requested to join, with a new yahoo account. Stavo, please add me to the group. Would like to know what steps you guys are taking. I've never used the group feature so I may need a bit of assistance. Looking forward to having this discussion continued on the group.

I am in total agreement with resp. This is as much a business transaction as it is an emotional one.

bklyn306 did I let you in?

Not yet, I got a return email from ravenshawk77.

FYI, I got a very interesting link from the Toren group. Clermont on Myrtle is going rental.

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/09/zoinks_the_cler.php

Looks like closings are not happening on Oct 1. The building doesn't have insurance. We've been pushed back to Oct 15. Anyone hear anything different? The sellers lawyers are very unresponsive. Haven't received any official letter pushing I back but mortgage guy says no one can move in till they get insurance.

The closing started on last thursday but nobody can move in until 15th. The seller's attorneys are unprofessional and irresponsible. That doesn't help boosting the seller's rep a bit.

Thanks for update. Do you of anyone who has closed.

What happened to the private group? Got this message on trying to log-in...

There is no group called OroBuyersOnly. Please make sure you typed the web address correctly. If you have done so, the group may no longer exist.

I think the building has to have insurance for any banks to give you mortgage. Plus almost every single bank now require the building to be 50% sold! The building is only 45% sold if that. Only Wells Fargo will make the exception and a few smaller banks I think, but I'm really frustrated that we're so cornered in terms of getting financing.

Has anyone gotten an official letter that the closing is pushed?

Yes, you will need insurance to close with a bank. Yes, most lenders will require 50% pre-sale. Our pre-sales depend on sales velocity but we go as low as 15%. So 45% is no problem and the building is approved by us as well and we are offering $2000 especially for Oro buyers. sunny_hong@countrywide.com

I just found this forum and I am very interested in the group action discussed earlier. How can I get in the private group? I am an Oro buyer.

I couldn't sign in, getting the message: "There is no group called OroBuyersOnly... .

The group is closed due to lack of activities and too many spies.

Thanks, stavo, for the reply. Too bad the group is closed.

Who are these spies? From the sellers' side or?

For any Oro buyers, is there a date for closings to begin? Last I saw was 10/15, but not sure if that happened or not. I'm not an Oro buyer, but a nearby resident that is anxious to have you guys begin moving in

Did anyone close on their unit?

I heard some people have already moved in, according to my broker, mortgage officer, and the management company...Check with your lawyer...mine is trying to schedule my closing. I got a call from the Oro last week trying to schedule a walk through, so clearly things are on the move. I thought the lack of postings on the board is because people are starting to close/have closed...

We have closed and are in the process of moving!
Yep, it's too bad the group has closed. Even once we've all moved in, it would still be nice to have a place to talk about the building.

I just found out Freshdirect doesn't currently deliver to Oro!! For anyone who is interested in Freshdirect delivery please email them: http://www.freshdirect.com/help/contact_fd.jsp

Does anyone know who the cable/internet service provider is in the building? Is it Verizon? And do we just call them to get it installed?

We were told there is both verizon and time warner, but when we checked fios internet, it wasn't available.

Good to know! I'm used to Time Warner though their customer service is always confused and inefficient. BTW, did anyone notice that the common charges went up from what was originally listed in the listing? I just got my appraisal and it was raised a little over 7%. I'm kind of annoyed since we haven't even moved in. And also, the 421a is not in place yet! Does anyone know if they'll credit us retroactively once it's granted?

It should also be noted that there is a new rental listing...

That's a buyer who rented it out though, right? Not the developers?

looks that way. some very ethnic brokerage.

Does anyone know where to purchase laundry machines that would work in the building? It seems you have to have an electric ventless washer/dryer combo since there's no vent and only one outlet. Does anyone have any suggestions? Anyone purchased a laundry center yet?

To RipvanWinkle: How did you find all the information about the building (no vent, only one outlet)? Have you already had your walk-through? What about sq. footage? Is everything accurate with no cheating?

I also heard that beside the missing vent for washer and dryer. The inspection also found that the electric wiring and gas pipes were placed along side by side. If that is true the Architect and Engineer need to be reprimanded. How can they make such a booby is beyond me. Hopefully these are the only 2 issues and not more along the road. All these over sight delayed the whole process.

Well it's not missing a vent. A lot of apartments are ventless and require ventless dryers. That's what I have at my current rental where we have a washer/dryer combo that's ventless, and I think a lot of people in New York have that though it's definitely more annoying because you have to buy a combo or a stackable and they're more expensive than a regular washer/dryer set. NaT, yes I did have my walkthrough. I was ok with everything. I don't really know about the electric wiring/gas pipes situation. I have no idea about those kind of things...I found out all the outlet info, etc. from the management company as well. They're available to provide this kind of info if you're about to move in.

Anyone having problems with heat?

I've heard they've been keeping the worst bit of news secret...

it's in brooklyn.

Heard that they are not turning on the full heating as the building is bearly occupied. So wear your extra layers and chill out this winter.....

By the way did you noticed that Oro has stepped up it's advertisement. I even see their sales posters in subways. Sales must be real bad and they are getting desperate.

Well with the heat and hot water problems as they are now, it won't help boosting the sales... Mandy have you moved in? How's your unit?

My apartment is not move in ready yet. Can't decide to rent it or move in. The heating is one issue. Look like the condo is only 10% or less occupancy. Where are all those who complaint about not being able to move in?

No heat at the Oro? Maybe they need to update those "oro living" ads on the subway to compare with the projects in the back yard instead of "manhattan living"

it's not No heat. The heat is not enough and the hot water is warm not hot. I am asking Oro buyers who are living in the building like myself. junkman_r_u_serious, you must be a spy from Toren.

stavo, no spy, just found the situation humorous. As far as toren goes, i registered this name to call out junkman on his toren hyping. You can check the toren thread if you like.

Warm water living or no, you gotta admit it is funny!

junkman_r_u_serious is my Oro tag and Junkman is my Toren surname.

I know this Junkman - a talkative pot belly white guy who bought a one bedroom in Toren. He like to boast about his clever choice and kind of insecure in a way that's why he always jump on any thing negative about Oro. It's time for him to grow up. Toren may face worst situation then Oro in a few months time. Just you watch-mark my prediction. By the way the sales at Toren has grind to a halt and they still have 60% unsold from what I heard. So much about raising their prices.

Well, I have no interest in Toren or whatever but what I heard and seen about Toren is that the apts have barely any closet spaces. You may want to reserve a storage space in the neighborhood since Toren doesn't have storage in the basement either. Talking about sales, don't forget that Toren has 20% or so of low income families on the lower floors. Of course they are all sold. So in practicality Torent didn't sell much.

Mandy,

Leave my pot belly alone.

I don't recall saying a bad thing about the Oro. I root for the Oro to succeed. If it succeeds the Toren succeeds.

Recently, I have backed down from patting myself on the back. I still think the Toren is a very cool building, as is the Oro, but I got in too early. I agree that something has to give. I think they will give closing concessions rather than price decreases, though in this economic environment anything can happen.

By the way, you forgot to mention, I am bald and short. Insecure, I don't think so. Fat,bald and ugly, I still like the guy in the mirror.

As a matter of fact, I even complimented their sales representative, Jonathan, who I think is very dynamic interesting dude.

Honestly, I like the Oro. Wish I could afford one their views.

Oh yea, I was kidding about junkman_r_u_serious comment. I'm not that person. Like he said, he was getting on my case, about being fat and ugly, and typed in a tag name that he is stuck with.

Personally, I get a kick out of it when I see it. Serves him right for picking on me.

Finally,just because I answer my own comments doesn't mean I'm talkative. I just like typing.

It does serve me right but I did not comment on anyone's appearance. My first post in this forum is actually on the first page of this thread.

I would love to live at either Toren or Oro, if only they weren't located in such a horrible area. Swap locations with Forte and either of these buildings would be very attractive to me. It's a shame that Forte is an overpriced dump.

Call me snob if you want. If I pay more then $500,000 for my condo I wouldn't want to live with 20% low income families. Who will probably be less house proud(due to financial constrain in up keeping) then their more affluent neighbors. Just imagine what Toren will look like after 10 or 20 years. The lower floors will be an eye sore lots. Beside crimes and poverty come hand in hand. Your upper class and more affluent floors become their target of in house burglary. No money "lets go to the top floor and steal something from these rich neighbors". Buyers of Toren need to know what they are getting into. A partial urban slump in the making. Beside it has lousy views and no storage. Ugh Toren- urban decay of the future!!!!

Mandy,

You obviously don't know what the "affordable housing" component of the Toren entails. They are not indigent.

They paid market rate for lower floor apartments. You obviously don't know the purchase price for those affordable units or you wouldn't make such ignorant comments. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt even if you did insult my pot belly.

The only difference in price is due to lower floor accommodations. Do just a little homework before making such outrageous statements.

I'd provide the comps but it isn't worth the time it would take to look them up.

The income limits for those "affordable" units is over $100k. It was based on a percentage of the HHI of Ft. Greene which is now pretty high. I'm not worried about them at all.
Home ownership alone is enough to make people of any income level house proud.

In Singapore more than 80 of housing is public housing but they own it and you wouldn't ever guess they're projects because the owners, however poor are house proud.

Stop comparing with Singapore. The Singapore government subsidizes heavily on public housing they paint the whole block every 5 years and the public areas are taken care by the Gov. unlike N.Y. Get your facts right. After the 20 years Tax rebates withdrawn those poor income groups will be forced out or continue to live poorly having to pay high taxes. It will be another flop like giving loans to those who cannot afford it. Income limits were not $100K but $60K. Most low income group will cramp their babies in a tiny one bed room with no space to put the strollers and baby chairs. It will all ended up in the common corridors and where ever they can find.

Mandy, based on your logic, if we can call it that, no one should buy at Oro given how close it is to the projects. After all, you affluent Oro owners will make easy targets for all those project dwellers ...

Income limits are about $115 or more depending on family size. Get YOUR facts straight.

You have a really weak argument. I've meet some of these "poor" that you're scared of. They're just young working professionals.

mandy,

you are a snob and you are so off-base! you really need to do your research. do you know what the income requirements are for the affordable units? do you know anyone who has purchased these units? have you talked to them personally to find out their background and income? obviously, you have not! i bought a "low-income" unit at the toren through the lottery and i am a CREATIVE DIRECTOR making six figures. i would hardly be classified as indigent or "less house proud." i'm an artistic/creative person who would uplift the neighborhood and not not bring it down.

please restrain yourself from making unjustified comments!

11201 with 6 digits income you should be a shame of your self to take away an affordable housing for the more deserved. You may have the brain but little moral by stealing from the lower income to buy a unit there.

I bought a market rate unit mandy.
Get your facts straight or don't waste our time with your whiney anti-Toren babble.

And if 11205 was able to get an affordable unit good for them. They were within the income restrictions so not stealing or immoral.

"You may have the brain but little moral by stealing from the lower income to buy a unit there."

Wow, this is a special comment, from one special lady.

1) First Mandy shows her ignorance by not understanding the nature of Toren's affordable housing component.
2) Second, she opens a window into the Escher-like hellscape which is her mind, where everyone making less than $160k spawns babies left, right, center, and in the common areas
3) Third, she scrambles atop a high horse to assail the morality of someone who had the sheer audacity to pet their hard earned money to work.

I'm really looking forward to what Mandy has to say next. You never know what she is going to say (read: babble) exactly, but you are always sure to hear something very amusing.

"M.C. Escher-like hellscape" my goodness ap.

I would love to see a rendering of Mandy's mind as interpreted by Escher. It would be a masterpiece of perversion. A mixture of ignorance, prejudice, anger, intolerance, false superiority, obnoxiousness just to name a few of Mandy's characteristics that the master could work. A palette of pure unadulterated evil.

Moved in, and no complaints here. The apartment is everything I hoped for. The workmanship was great - a few minor details to be addressed, but the developer's agent and building staff addressed them immediately. No problem with the hot water or heat (the programable thermostats took some time to understand - I'm a techno-dolt) All in all, I think these are terrific apartments! Love the layout, the views are awesome, and the staff has been wonderful. For those of us who decided to buy here, I think you'll be pleased with your decision. For those who think the place is ugly, the neighborhood sucks, the market is going down the tubes, the world is coming to an end, blah, blah, blah - sit back and relax and be glad that you're not my neighbor ;)

Hoping to be your neighbor soon. Justcame back from a nice walk in your lovely nabe and was shocked how fast the Avalon Bay Luxury rental building is going up. late summer is not out of possibility. Also Lazerian's 2 buildings on Tillary are also moving quickly. I'll assume same with 111 Lawrence and 80 DeKalb. Those who put nabe down will eat their words in time. Normally, I would say 5 years but with recession coming may be 7-8 years.

Also, City Point will start construction in January with 2 building, one will be tallest in Brooklyn. Yea, the nabe is coming around slowly but surely.

I haven't been having heating or water issues. I guess the water isn't as hot as some places, but it's been fine. As for the heating, I do feel kind of chilly in my apartment, but the thermostat always reads 70 and higher so I guess I must just always be kind of cold! I don't think it's the heating. The only thing that weirds me out slightly is the vents above the kitchen and in the bathroom. Sometimes I can hear people talking (not that loudly--you have to listen for it) because we must share a vent system. Has anyone else noticed this? In the morning, I can hear the construction crew chattering through the bathroom vents...It's definitely not the walls or the ceiling but the vents or the shared water pipes behind the shower walls, etc.

Otherwise, honestly I've been very happy with everything. The resident manager, doormen, and move-in coordinator have all been great!

I moved in last weekend--over Thanksgiving!--and I am exhausted but so happy to FINALLY be in the Oro!

There is SO MUCH closet space so my boxes of wine fit very nicely, stacked one upon the other.

The views are AMAZING! I can see Russia from my windows!

I spent Sunday wander the Mall and getting used to my new `hood. Saw a man arrested for shoplifting, had the chance to purchse pot (twice) and learned that opening doors for older women is MUCH appreciated!

One problem: No place to purchase "dip" -- I had my Wheat Thins, Twistkits and wine...but no dip! Even went to Macy's but all they had is chocolate.

So I drank and ate my crackers and stared out at the Manhattan Bridge and fell asleep...or passed out.

Anyway, happy to be here and I hope to have you all over as soon as you're able!

Anyone else have mice in their apartment?

hope it is a joke my friend! have you moved in? any other comments?

That's no joke. Of course, I chalk it up to the construction. An exterminator has been called an should be setting traps from now on. I'm still waiting to see any action in the gym or pool.I was told that equipment was supposed to be delivered last week and it's still a giant vacant room...with a basketball court. My toilet needs to be babied a bit. When it comes to toilets, I would have functionality win out over water conservation any day. There are a number of punchlist items that have been waiting to be addressed for the past three weeks, but I'm confident that they will be any day now. As a homeowner, you want everything to be perfect when you move in, but this is rarely the case. I'm sure that with time everything will settle down. I just wish that work would move a little faster. Overall, I'm very happy with my place.

Hopefully, they're not from the projects. :)

Oro has a very neat, respectable lobby. The issues mentioned sound like the normal startup issues, including mice.

Yeah, yeah. Don't get me wrong- I'm familiar with startup issues. I just don't enjoy peeking around corners, whispering in fear every time I hear a little noise, or yelling at two ounce animals. Sometimes dealing with mice can bring out the worst in people.

fisher, thanks for the info. It looks like overall things are progressing smoothly,given that we are at the beginning. hopefully everything will be in place by the end of January. hell of a time for this to happen!I've gotta say that we are still very happy with our purchase. hopefully we will close over the next month. I am very curious about the swimming pool:))
how about the management company?

From what little interaction I've had with them so far, I sense that there is some attrition between Rose Assoc. and the Plaza crew. This seems to be why punchlist items have not been addressed yet.

Been there 3 weeks and so far, no complaints. I've contacted the developer's on site agent as well as the rep. from Rose Assoc. re: my punch list items. All my issues have been addressed promptly, and everyone seems to be in synch. I'll keep an eye out for little critters, but so far, no evidence of any. Having lived in NYC hi rises for years, they seem to be a fact of life in buildings undergoing construction. Also, curious to find out if anyone has installed washer / dryer yet and has any recommendations. The building has a recommended dry cleaner / laundry service with pick up / delivery service. Used them a few times and I like them - good price / good service.

JW10003: I live nearby, what is the name of the dry cleaner/laundry service? Thanks. Welcome to the neighborhood......

JW10003: I live nearby, what is the name of the dry cleaner/laundry service? Thanks. Welcome to the neighborhood......

I love my bosch axxis washer and dryer stackable set. It's a condensation dryer so it doesn't need venting, but it does take longer to dry than a typical vented dryer. I think the pick up dry cleaner/laundry service people are in manhattan right? They have a 212 number.

Thanks for the welcome, and the washer /dryer feedback. The laundry service is Manhattan based, I think. Not sure of the name but they can tell you @ the Oro desk. Also, if you are Fairway supermarket fans, the store in Red Hook will deliver to our building.

jw10003, what kind of punch list items did you have? I am about to sue these assholes. Does anyone know any great RE lawyers?

what seems to be the problem, stavo?

Stavo, jw10003-
We are STILL waiting to have our punchlist items addressed. Everytime you feel like they're actually going to do it the next day, the crew is a no-show. This has happened too many times to count at this point. My favorite part of this mess is that Plaza still contends that they stand behind their product. Ha!

this is very stupid. I wonder wht this guys are thinking! I hope they realize the mess they are in. It looks like they still live in 2006! too bad because the building is real nice. Sorry for your pain guys...sorry for my ignorance but I haven't closed yet: who are these plaza guys??

when did you move in fisher81? Do we need a group action?

We moved a month ago. I have the punchlist sheet signed by the Project Manager stating that my list is complete and will be addressed. Still waiting. The upside to this is that they are right outside my door, so they have to know that we are still in need of some attention. I don't want to say that class action is "hasty" because some of us have been waiting 4+ weeks. I'm really trying to give them the benefit of the doubt here. That being said, we are still in need of a a list of things, including a new oven. I mean, I don't understand their train of thought. We say something every other day, but evidently our concerns fall on deaf ears.

Do you know of anyone else having this problem?

Compounding problems: I don't see much getting done in the next two weeks either.

I've noticed that the maintenance staff is good about fixing things where they can, but not so much the construction crew though they did fix my problems for the most part after about 3 weeks, but I moved in right when the building opened so perhaps they were less busy. I have a small surface scratch on the stainless steel surface of my microwave but I figured it was going to be too crazy to get them to replace it so I didn't even bother mentioning it. I was really frustrated for about 3 weeks when first emailing the move-in coordinator my list because nothing was ever addressed, but one day Jack actually brought in a construction guy by, and that's when I mentioned all the problems, and they addressed the problems immediately. Maybe try finding the construction person in-person?

Surprised to hear about others problems with punchlist items...maybe I was just lucky? Everything I pointed out (nothing major - scratches, nicks, etc) was either addressed same day, or they told me what day they would be back, and they showed up, as promised. No appliance issues, same with heat and water...all fine so far. I have to say - the bldg. has been very responsive.

I have constructional problems as well as cosmetic. I have talked to the construction people a number of times. They always say they would work "soon" but the next time I talk to them they don't even remember the problems. It's been 5 weeks for me. Took 3 weeks to get hot water in the bathroom and that was done because I grabbed someone in the lobby, not on their own. I suggest that Oro buyers who are frustrated with their units should get together. What do you think?

jw10003--did they replace any items with minor scratches for you? I don't know if it's worth mentioning the scratch on the microwave. They also did scratch up my floor a little bit moving in the fridge, but it's not terribly noticeable. Also, I have scratches in the bathtub that I still haven't managed to get out--like small surface scratches/scruff marks, so hopefully some comet would take that right now. I had some weird spackle marks in the bathroom and they painted that right away when the construction crew came over and I pointed it out. Good luck, Stavo! Sorry to hear you're having so many problems...

how are you guys going to tip the staff for the holidays? wouldn't it be better to do it collectively?

Has anyone gotten a normal dryer and hooked up something called a condensation box? And also what size washer/dryers can the closets accommodate? 27"?

has anyone closed on floors 30 or above?

I heard they got TCO for the higher floors. btw, I've noticed a slow down in closings and I am a bit concerned. Do you know of anybody walking away or is there any other particular reason for the slowdown. still 63 in contract...

looks like a 3 br just went into contract.

that and and 35F. Still..., what about the lower floors. were not they supposed to close in october?

I've closed, but my realtor who also purchased walked away. He had bad credit and couldn't get financing. None of my punchlist items have been addressed. It's been almost 4 months. I'm having issues with windows as well.

To those that have closed recently at the Oro, did the developers give any concessions- payment of transfer tax, etc?