P. S. I just read the part where you said the sponsor's attorney was great too. That's hysterical (especially given my comment about my sponsor's attorney) - shows how much times have changed in the 2+ years since I closed. So, what I did may not work for you. The general guideline for gifts is, I think, the personal touch.

Posted by: ari at September 4, 2009 6:28 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

Somebody already suggested referrals, so let me second that opinion. I really liked my lawyer (Christine Bell, from Rheem & Bell), so when it came time to write my check, I bumped it up a little so that she got more than the sponsor's attorney. The ~$100 wasn't making or breaking anyone (you know how closings are - the 0s just go flying by), but knowing that I purposely paid her more than the harpy she'd been wrangling with all afternoon made her day.

Posted by: ari at September 4, 2009 6:24 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

Hey, Mr. B, et. al. - Haven't read the rest of the thread, so forgive me if i'm redundant. I've participated in a few forums - some gaming (sheer savagery), slate.com (better). People make the online community they want, and it helps if there is some guidance from the organizer (you) that indicates you want that community. Saying so helps, some sort of policing/enforcement also helps. You gotta get out the banhammer sometimes, or delete comments (or move them), or close threads - there are a few ways to do it. It doesn't have to be consistent or totally fair (your party) - just get the point across that certain types of play are not allowed here. We'll take care of the rest.

It's tough at first, but if you have a critical mass of people who want the kind of dialogue that you're trying to encourage, then all you have to do is a little weeding around the edges.

Posted by: ari at March 28, 2009 1:17 AM in response to Let's Talk About Commenting

There was a story not long ago about their tax abatement meaning $0 taxes for several years. I think they got a bump out of that.

Posted by: ari at March 23, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Checking In On The BellTel Lofts

With respect to the previous posts (I haven't read them), here's my 2 cents.

If you like where you live and can count on keeping it for the foreseeable future, I would stay there. Your costs are great, and right now having cash positions you well to invest in whatever asset class ends up looking promising. In this economy, though, it's hard to tell what asset class that will be - which is why it's best to stay flexible. Sure, cash is also an asset class - but it's the most liquid one, and in uncertain times that's a desirable trait.

Also, I just read lechacal's 1:28 and I agree with all of that.

Posted by: ari at March 11, 2009 1:38 PM in response to To Buy or Not to Buy

Any news as to whether they will have to close the walkway at all for this?

Posted by: ari at March 2, 2009 10:48 AM in response to Brooklyn Bridge Rehab Starting This Summer

This article is about 1 week's worth of data. That doesn't seem like enough to draw conclusions from.

Posted by: ari at October 9, 2008 1:58 PM in response to Average Prices Up in BK, Inventory Down

P. S. I just read the part where you said the sponsor's attorney was great too. That's hysterical (especially given my comment about my sponsor's attorney) - shows how much times have changed in the 2+ years since I closed. So, what I did may not work for you. The general guideline for gifts is, I think, the personal touch.

Posted by: ari at September 4, 2009 6:28 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

"More money than he deserved" Classic nonsense by funstraw. Sometimes I wonder if half of these posters actually have real jobs, or are they just wannabe hipsters posing as; out of work graphic designers. For the record, you shouldn't feel obligated to give your lawyer anything. A nice bottle of wine or a couple of broadway tickets if you're sentimental. As the others have said: Referrals are the best gift.

Posted by: Crownlfc at September 4, 2009 11:46 PM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?

Hi everyone - OP here. Thanks for the responses. Referrals, of course!

Here is my attorney's name and number. He was fantastic and really made this process go smoothly. I won't go into all the nonsense that transpired waiting for this thing to close, but he stayed on top of this process for 7 months with professionalism, responsiveness and a patience (with my questions as a first-time buyer):

Lawrence Gerson [lgersonesq at aol.com]. I recommend him 100%.

Posted by: intersloper at September 5, 2009 7:54 AM in response to Gift for Great Attorneys?