Sample Aztech Recognition Agreement

This form is not needed if the Proprietary Lease already has language concerning “financing provisions” discussed in this agreement.

Regarding the apartment located at [ADDRESS]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

[BUYER NAME] (“Lessee”) has requested a loan of $950,000.00 to be secured by a pledge, security interest, mortgage and/or assignment (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as “the Security”) of shares of your Corporation allocated to the above Apartment and of the Proprietary Lease (the “Lease”) appurtenant thereto (the share and Lease collectively referred to as “the Apartment”).

1. (a) You are a New York corporation formed for the purpose of cooperative ownership and (owner in fee) (ground tenant) of the above premises.

(b) Your records show that the Lessee is the owner of the Apartment

(c) You have duly approved or consented to the creation by the Lessee of the Security, if and to the extent such approval is required by the Lease.

2. (a) You will not consent to any further encumbrances, subletting, termination, cancellation, surrender or modification of the Apartment by the Lessee without our approval, which we will not unreasonably withhold but this provision shall not apply to any modification or termination which, by the terms of the Lease, may be effective against a Lessee when approved by a fixed percentage of other holders of your shares, or which may be effective in the event of condemnation or casualty.

(b) The Lessee has agreed that, without our written approval, the Lessee will not exercise any right that he may have under the lease to terminate the lease so long as the loan is outstanding. Accordingly you will not consider any attempt to do so effective.

(c) You will notify us of any notice of intention to terminate the Lease, and

               (1) If the Lessee’s default can be cured by the payment of money, you will also notify us promptly of any default involving an amount equal to or exceeding three months maintenance payments and will take no action to terminate the Lease or cancel the shares if the default be cured either by us for the account of the Lessee or by the Lessee within 15 days after such notice of default or intention to terminate; or

               (2) If the default cannot be so cured, you will institute no action to terminate the Lease or cancel the shares until we have had reasonable notice and opportunity, by action or otherwise, to induce the Lessee to cure the default, such opportunity to be no less than the time provided in the Lease for the Lessee to cure.

               (3) If you shall terminate the Lease and cancel the shares for a default not curable by the payment of money, then, provided we pay you the amounts which are due to you under the Lease (including its deficiency clause) when due, you shall not sell or sublet the apartment without our approval, unless the net proceeds of such sale or subletting shall equal or exceed the amount owing to us by Lessee.

(d) You will accept payment from us on behalf of Lessee of any sums due under the Lease (including its deficiency clause), any payments made by us under the terms of this agreement will be deemed so paid, and no payments made in accordance herewith shall be deemed to limit our rights against the Lessee pursuant to law.

(e) You shall recognize our right as lienor against the Apartment pursuant to the Security, and, if the Lease be terminated and/or shares cancelled, against the net proceeds of any sale or subletting of the Apartment, after reimbursement to you of all sums due you under the Lease.

3. (a) Before delivery of this letter by you to us, we will have authority from the Lessee to give, and will, on request, give you a copy of the financial and credit information provided by him, but shall be under no duty to advise you of the results of any credit check we make.

(b) Notwithstanding any apparent authority granted to us under agreements with the Lessee, WE SHALL HAVE NO RIGHT OR POWER TO TRANSFER THE APARTMENT UPON FORECLOSURE OR OTHERWISE EITHER TO US OR ANYONE ELSE WITHOUT YOUR APPROVAL AS REQUIRED BY THE LEASE, provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall limit any rights we may have to dispossess the Lessee pursuant to law or realize upon our security in accordance herewith.

(c) If through oversight or negligence you our your agents or employees shall fail to notify us of Lessee’s default prior to termination of the Lease, we will not seek to hold you or your agents or employees liable for breach of this agreement, provided that:

               (1) you advise us promptly after discovering your failure, and

               (2) if you have already sold or contracted to sell the Apartment, that you pay us the net proceeds of such sale (after reimbursing yourselves for all sums due you), or such less sum as shall equal the amount owing to us by the Lessee (the balance being payable to the Lessee), or

               (3) if you have not contracted to sell the Apartment, that the provisions of paragraphs “2.(c)(3)” and “2.(e)” hereof shall apply.

(d) We will indemnify you and your agent against loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with any claim by the Lessee, his successors or assigns against either you arising out of our representations pursuant hereto or your agreements herein (except as stated in paragraph “3.(a)” hereof), provided you give us prompt notice of any such claim. We may contest such claim in your name and on your behalf, but at our sole cost and expense, and you will execute such documents and do such things as are reasonably necessary to assist us in such contest.

4. While we have the right but no obligation to cure the Lessee’s defaults under the Lease, if we do not do so within the time provided for herein, you shall have no obligation to us, except that in the event of sale or subletting the Apartment, you shall recognize our rights as lienor against the net proceeds of any sale or subletting (after reimbursement to you of all sums which are due to you under the Lease).

Any notice or approval provided for herein shall be deemed valid only if in writing and sent by registered or certified mail, as follows: to you, in care of your Managing Agent, with a copy by regular mail addressed to: [BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMPANY ADDRESS] and to us at [BANK ADDRESS].

Either party may change the address to which notices or approval are mailed by notice given as herein provided. This letter and the representations and agreements contained herein shall be deemed made as of the date of the making of the loan.

AGREED TO:

LESSOR: [COOPERATIVE CORPORATION NAME]

LESSEE:  [BUYER NAME]

BANK: [BANK ATTORNEY NAME]

Brooklyn FSBO Sellers Avoid Agent Commissions

Brooklyn FSBO sellers have long had the hardest time among NYC home owners figuring out how to sell their home “for sale by owner” without a traditional real estate broker.

Why?  Because Brooklyn FSBO sellers have to figure out which inter-broker database and which websites are relevant to advertise their home on.

What MLS does Brooklyn use?

Fortunately, it’s become simpler in recent years as there as been major consolidation among the various Multiple Listing Systems (MLS) which brokers used in Brooklyn.  In 2010 the last two major Multiple Listing Systems in Brooklyn merged to form the Brooklyn New York MLS.

However, many of NYC’s largest firms are not members of this MLS.  That’s because firms like Elliman, Corcoran, Mont Sky, Town, Stribling, BHS are Manhattan based and already subscribe to the RLS (REBNY Listing Service).

Since many of the Manhattan based firms dominate “brownstone” Brooklyn, areas like Williamsburg, Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights, there’s no need for them to also subscribe to the BNYMLS because most of the listings on BNYMLS are in Southern Brooklyn.

Furthermore, joining an additional inter-broker database is expensive.  For example, REBNY charges each additional licensed real estate salesperson $250 for the first year of REBNY membership.  The cost for associate brokers and principal brokers is over $1000 per year.

As a result, it doesn’t make sense for many of NYC’s largest real estate brokerages to also pay to join BNYMLS because of the even higher cost of joining that organization.  Member firms are required to buy equity in BNYMLS which is estimated to cost between $10,000 to $20,000.  Additional, each licensed real estate salesperson must pay $160 to join.

So how do you get access to BNYMLS listings? 

Fortunately, all BNYMLS listings now automatically syndicate to popular real estate search website StreetEasy just like all REBNY listings already do.

However, for REBNY agents looking at a BNYMLS on behalf of a buyer client, it’ll be advised that they confirm in writing the co-broke commission amount offered to buyers’ agents first before proceeding further.

Where should I list my home as a Brooklyn FSBO seller?

You will have to choose between a brokerage firm that will either belong to REBNY or BNYMLS.  If you are in Northwestern Brooklyn or neighborhoods that are more accessible to Manhattan you should consider a REBNY firm.  If you happen to be in deep Southern Brookyn you may want to consider a BNYMLS member.

With that said, if you had to choose, go with a REBNY member firm because they are undoubtedly the largest broker trade organization in the city.  It is common cited that they have over 16,000 active members whereas the BNYMLS is reported to have around 3,000 members in Southern Brooklyn.

As a Brooklyn FSBO seller, you can also list with a REBNY Member Firm and access the RLS (REBNY Listing Service), which is the equivalent of the NYC MLS, without paying full commission.  Through a “flat fee RLS listing” you can typically pay several hundred dollars to be listed in RLS plus a dozen other popular search websites.

Regardless of which broker you choose, your home will be listed in critical NYC specific search websites such as StreetEasy and BrownStoner as well as national websites such as Zillow and Trulia.

Good luck and please remember that home buyers can also save!  Learn how by checking out the rest of my blog!

Why are buyers skeptical of commission rebates?

First of all, almost all home buyers in NYC have universally almost never heard of a buyer agent commission rebate.  From extensive field studies, almost every time a buyer is asked they say no.  This is not surprising given how most big brokerages in NYC have strict company policies against discounting their services for fear of reputational damage.  It makes sense from the company’s perspective because they have so many agents that many of them are bound to get clients regardless of whether they rebate commissions or note.  However, it’s tough on the agents as they have their hands tied in terms of offering competitive economics.

Moreover, because most agents have broker/agent commission splits of 50%, giving away 1% of the commission on the buy side would mean they would only earn 0.5% on the deal.  3% buy side commission = 1.5% to brokerage, 1% to buyer, 0.5% left for agent!  Therefore, most agents have no desire or capability to share with their buyer clients the fact that commission rebates are now legal in NY.

Given how sleazy of a reputation brokers tend to have (especially in the wild west NYC rental market), it’s no surprise then that many buyers tend to just dismiss the offer of a commission rebate on the buy side.  Their first thought must be that this seems non-standard and they are happy with their current status quo – the worst example of inertia against their own self interest!

However, with wider marketing and adoption by the buyer community I am confident buyer agent commission rebates will become more mainstream.

How to work with a buyer rebate agent in NYC

I have an agent friend who worked with a very good customer whom he offered a rebate to.  Let’s call this customer Jack, who’s from China, looking for a new home for his family.  Jack understands the limited service nature of this arrangement.  He initially was offered 1% off his home purchase via a buyer agent commission rebate in NYC; however, he pushed and received a 1.5% rebate.  That’s equivalent to 50% of the commission earned by the buyers’ agent in a typical transaction (where the total commission is 6%).

Jack understands that he must go to viewings and open houses himself.  Afterwards, he will ask his broker to help submit offers on his behalf.  Another important thing for him to do is to let his broker know in advance which homes he wants to schedule private viewings for.  This is because if he contacts the listing agent directly for a private viewing, the listing agent may have cause to say that the buyer agent wasn’t a “procuring cause” of the contact since he wasn’t present at the “first substantial contact” with the buyer.

Therefore, Jack gets the occasional piece of advice and listing ideas from the agent, but Jack is content to search for himself primarily on the internet. After all, it’s a shame to brokers how good the search functionality is on some of these real estate search websites.  Jack meets just once with the broker for a total of 30 minutes, but otherwise views properties by himself!  When it’s time for submitting an offer, the agent sends it in and helps him negotiate.  The agent will also help procure color from listing agents.  When it’s all said and done, Jack goes to the closing with his attorney and the agent picks up his commission check from the attorney several days later.  The agent provides a check to Jack for half the commission check and they shake hands!

I had to relay this story because this is exactly how the NYC buyer agent commission rebate model should work (and it’s completely legal in NY).  You couldn’t have asked for a better customer!
It’s important for more people, especially needy/demanding unrealistic New Yorkers (you know who you are) to realize that not everything in life is free.  If you’re getting a freebie you need to realize that you need to step up and do some of the work.  There is no free lunch.

Like what you hear?  Like and follow my blog and I’ll be much obliged!

Best buyer agent real estate commission rebate service

Hey guys, I’d like to hear your feedback on this on what you think the best buyer agent commission rebate service out there is.  I’ve searched the internet and found only a few options in NYC.

Most of them however are small time shops with the exception of one firm called “Owners” who I thought was just a regular For Sale By Owner website.  Turns out they end up asking a random broker (on their payroll apparently) to reach out to you as well if you happen to click on a property.  Quite devious.

The commission rebates I’ve seen have ranged from a paltry offer of $10,000 above a certain sale price, to 0.5% and 1% cash back at closing.  However, the players really vary materially.  There are a few that are essentially one man operations.  And there are aggregator sites like Hauseit who pair buyers up with a full service broker in their area.  This model does seem to make sense as I’d want to work with a broker who has a good reputation and won’t be discriminated against by regular listing brokers.  After all, what we care about most is actually closing the deal!

So which to pick?  The ones I definitely wouldn’t do are the “Owners” company … they didn’t exactly try very hard either, only an email or two. Other shops mostly didn’t try as hard either, especially the one or two man shops.  Didn’t really hear much back after my initial inquiry.  The best I’ve found was to work with a buyers’ agent via Hauseit.  These guys are pre-screened full service professionals who’ve already negotiated a certain level of commission rebate to customers.

You see, that’s part of the reason why buyer agent commission rebates aren’t more common in NYC I think.  It’s because no one wants to insult their agent friend by asking them for cash from their pocket.  And because everyone in New York City has at least 5 real estate agent friends, it’s hard to take food from their table.  Quite ironic though that these same agents are literally taking food out of the mouths of their home seller friends though!  That however, will be the subject of a future post.

In the end, I still preferred to go with a known brand that paired me with a local agent. Due to the confidentially rules and for the protection of their agents’ reputations, I’m actually not allowed to name them here.  However, the service was excellent and I got a nice little cash back credit at closing!

Learn more about how to get the most bang for your buck when buying a home in NYC on the rest of my blog!