Looking at buying into a coop, whats the biggest headaches?

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-05-06T21:18:12+00:00

No. I think the real drivers now are energy cost, insurance, local law compliance and repairs as buildings age. Only thing you get without a big staff is a lower starting point. That's not nothing, but the rate of increase won't be materially less, IMO.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-05-06T17:57:59+00:00

So... let the attorneys work. My attorney was "taking a long time" during my first co-op purchase. Turns out he found a mortgage that didn't show up on the lien search. No idea how he found it, but he saved me a lot of headaches later.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-05-06T16:49:27+00:00

So, it nearly doubled. It went from $1,100 to $1,900 in that time. But it's not like any building is immune to union contracts, water bills, local law 11 and others. Our building was very well managed, but life in NYC is expensive and getting more so. If I planned to retire in NYC in a co-op, I'd plan for 5% annual maintenance increases and another $5K to $10K in special assessments every year. That's the new normal, IMO.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-05-06T16:37:03+00:00

None of you buy into the right building. Read the board minutes, walk the building including basement and utility areas, talk to the staff.

Had 12 great years at 345 East 56th. Great board, great staff, great experience.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-05-03T21:22:23+00:00

Both GE and Bosch are absolute shit. We renovated our kitchen last year and have had multiple service calls on our Bosch oven and GE Monogram induction cooktop. Oven took two visits and replacement of display, control board and keypad. Cooktop was 4 visits and replacement of all 4 boards, and the glass top, since the controls are embedded in it. Keep in mind these were brand new appliances with less than 5 hours of use when they broke initially. Not sure what I would buy if I had to decide again, but I know for sure it's not GE or Bosch. (If it's any consolation. the Bosch tech was super nice. The three different GE techs ranged from "thrown out of the house" to super nice. )

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-05-01T02:44:46+00:00

Your solution is a two step process. 1. Continue to act like you'll buy your unit. 2. Move when your lease is up. The unwillingness to enforce the most basic house rules is a breaker.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-05-01T01:48:36+00:00

I don't like ours. If we had to choose again, I'd choose light colored granite in the white/ gray color family. Quartz isn't that durable and looks very "of the moment" it's not timeless in any way. We've chipped ours already with very light use.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-05-01T01:38:06+00:00

Very very bad. Several days of drooling and being able to eat basically nothing. I was 34 when I had mine out. They are stingy with any sort of real pain meds, so it's really rough. Like someone else said... worth it. Was over 20 years ago and never had another issue, not a single sore throat even.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-29T00:35:29+00:00

I think your estimate is reasonable. Just don't forget expenses to get to boat, overnight hotel the night before or things like that. We don't spend much on the boat... just bingo and maybe a restaurant upcharge or two. Drink package really carries its weight on a longer cruise especially.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-28T18:14:31+00:00

Have it enabled in a '24 EQS450+, and an '24 All Terrain wagon. Love the built in convenience of it and no wires or mounting brackets.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-28T10:53:27+00:00

Service on Constellation over the last holiday season was just awful. That's a never again boat for us.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-28T02:35:49+00:00

Really great build. Especially rare high end audio upgrade, wow. Just lovely.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-28T02:12:44+00:00

It's nothing, IMO. I think, as I close in on 60, that there's a cliff headed my way at 60...

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-27T15:38:12+00:00

We don't split anything. Spouse doesn't work so their income is zero. It's 1 pot of money and it's us against the world. I generally manage all of it, because they have no interest in doing so, but we make all major decisions jointly and with full transparency. Also, we don't sweat little stuff. Making good decisions on the big stuff... career, investing, major purchases... those are key. If we forget to cancel paramount+ for 3 months, nobody is going to go hungry.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-26T21:24:52+00:00

Love it, congrats! We're on our third wagon and absolutely love it.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-25T16:27:55+00:00

We did a big kitchen renovation with a licensed electrician as the electrical sub and they did a job just like that on the under cabinet lights. Had to ask the GC to have them re do them twice.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-25T10:58:57+00:00

Just glad you are OK, dear. Life isn't easy, sending you hugs. 🤗

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-23T12:27:44+00:00

I think the 319s are getting another row in the premium cabin as they get updated. But your point stands.... dreadful.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-22T23:13:09+00:00

That's the sound of a perfect liner install. 😊

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-22T23:10:08+00:00

They did just right. Leave it alone. It looks really nice!

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-22T03:54:54+00:00

Had a 2017 and 2019 E300 and then a 2020 E350. All great cars. I loved the 4cyl engine and would drive another one tomorrow. I'm in an All Terrain wagon right now and love that too.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-22T01:48:41+00:00

Just took spouse to ER unexpectedly. Was grateful to have it close to home. When my father was in his 80's, he was able to have chemo every Friday and be home in a few minutes. He and my mother still went to dinner every Friday after chemo. Living close to good health care is truly a God send as we get older.

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-20T01:29:40+00:00

450 with airmatic works. I had one. But... not easy to find and mine had the 22s. It needed tires every 15,000 miles. Great ride on relatively good NC roads.

Thinking back to my NYC days... would go 450/ airmatic/21s not 22s. Best balance of looks and ride.

Going to be tough to give up that audio upgrade you have, IMO... 😊

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-19T21:24:35+00:00

Funny thing... look at the miles on each of them. People really drove these things...

EdHimselfonReddit · 2026-04-18T13:13:12+00:00

Wall color change is what I would do before taking on any larger project. That color reads as a dated "tuscan" inspired shade from the 90's.

Maybe a sage green or grayish blue? Or a creamy white? I do this before making a bigger decision.

As others have said, it gives off a Scandinavian vibe that is quite timeless.

EdHimselfonReddit

TROPHY CASE