Power of Attorney Question


I just found out that my closing date–which has been bouncing around like a frigging ping pong ball–is now scheduled for the day before I go on a long vacation. My attorney would charge $200 to execute a POA. How complicated is a POA? Can I basically assign that to anyone I know and provide all the necessary signed checks so everything can be completed in my absence?

I really just need someone to sign on my behalf, right?

Can I assign it to my broker or would she have a conflict of interest?

I assume there is a standard form or very specific language I need to use?

Thanks in advance!

Categories: Legal
By MattNYC | 05/11/2010 5:28 PM | Comment

Retainer for Lawyer or No?


Thanks to a “pre-paid” legal plan from my employer, I am selling my place for what seems a very reasonable fee. I speak to his assistant most of the time instead of to him, but I have no reasons to complain about the work done to-date. It’s a pretty straight-forward sale.

My partner and I made an offer to buy a new condo in the South Slope and are trying to decide whether to stick with the current attorney (same rate) or to use someone else. My current attorney works on a retainer basis one-half now, one-half at closing. My broker has recommended an attorney who charges $400 more but who only requires payment at closing.

Because there seem to be a few up-in-the air issues on the purchase (contingencies on my sale, the developer selling enough units in the new building, no one coming in with a higher offer), we were toying with the change to hedge our bets and to not lose the retainer amount.

Anyone have any helpful advice/comments?

Categories: Lawyers
By MattNYC | 04/05/2010 1:33 PM | Comment

Sealing Granite Again?


I bought and followed all directions for applying “DuPont Granite & Marble Countertop Sealer” (including putting it on twice to start), but I am still experiencing water rings. They eventually dry out, but any wet area (from a sponge, glass, stray droplets, bottom of soap dispenser) leaves a dark mark. As I said, it eventually dries up, but I am very concerned that if something like grape juice spills, my new countertop is going to be ruined. Does anyone know if I did something wrong? Are there better products out there? All advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By MattNYC | 12/03/2009 1:45 PM | Comment

Calculating Maint. Deductibility


Just to make sure I am doing the math right, from my 1098, my RE taxes paid in 2008 were X and my share of the Building Mortgage paid was Y. If maintenance is Z, then is this the right formula for determining what I can state on my listing is the deductibility?

( X + Y ) / ( Z * 12)

I am getting a number of ~ 24% I vaguely recall the listing when I bought had 33% so I don’t know if that was bogus or if I am doing my math incorrectly?

Thanks,
Matt

Categories: Maintenance
By MattNYC | 09/29/2009 12:26 PM | Comment

Add Pulls to Brand New Cabinets?


(apologies if this is a repeat–my pc crashed and I don’t see my prior post)

I am having brand new cabinets installed in my kitchen. They look great and have recessed pulls on the doors and drawer fronts. I’m torn about having them put on the hardware pulls or leaving them clean. What do buyers like to see? Since I am selling soon (when the remodel is complete), should I just let the buyer decide what they want? or will no pulls look shoddy/uninviting?

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By MattNYC | 09/09/2009 11:19 PM | Comment

Kitchen Renovation Work Question


I am trying to update my (circa 70s) kitchen to help with potential resale value. Due to odd cabinet sizes, it appears that I am going to have to have custom work done–can’t buy the sizes I need from stock

Also looking to replace the counters with granite or man-made quartz surface.

I have three places from Service Magic and am going to have the usual suspects (Sears, HD, Lowes) give me estimates. Anyone have any advice/warnings/recommendations?

Also, to save money, I want to do a stainless back-splash myself. I saw a reference to go to the Bowery for that, but no one mentioned any specific places–do I just go door-to-door there or can someone recommend a place that can provide specific cut-size with holes for outlets, too?

Thanks!

Categories: Renovation
By MattNYC | 08/02/2009 12:42 AM | Comment