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11 pointers to passing the co-op board interview.


1. Being invited to the interview is a good sign. The interview is the board's opportunity to meet you and ask specific questions about your application. The style of the interview can range from an informal gathering of board members in an apartment to a formal interview with board members lined up at a table with you in the 'hot' seat.

2. Dress-up and be prompt. In terms of dress and promptness only (see tip number six), a board interview should be treated no differently then a professional job interview.

3. Prepare for a lack of privacy. The board has great latitude latitude, angular distance of any point on the surface of the earth north or south of the equator. The equator is latitude 0°, and the North Pole and South Pole are latitudes 90°N and 90°S, respectively.  in the kinds of questions it can ask Be prepared for this and do not avoid answering personal questions or be angered by this intrusion.

4. Know your application. You should be able to quickly and concisely con·cise  
adj.
Expressing much in few words; clear and succinct.



[Latin conc
 answer any questions asked regarding your application without referring to the actual document. However, if necessary, bring along a copy and subtly refer to it if and when needed.

5. Couples should decide in advance who will answer which questions. For example, you may agree to answer all financial questions while your spouse will answer all other questions. Avoid discussing answers to questions with your spouse in front of the board. It's a good idea to rehearse re·hearse  
v. re·hearsed, re·hears·ing, re·hears·es

v.tr.
1.
a. To practice (a part in a play, for example) in preparation for a public performance.

b.
 your responses with your broker before the actual interview.

6. Unlike a job interview, do not try to sell your self Only answer questions asked and let the board run the show. Boards rarely turn down applicants for being too boring.

7. Never volunteer information or engage in unsolicited un·so·lic·it·ed  
adj.
Not looked for or requested; unsought: an unsolicited manuscript; unsolicited opinions.


unsolicited
Adjective
 conversations except for basic cordial cordial: see liqueur.  remarks and greetings.

8. Do not ask questions. Questions can sometimes unintentionally convey negative information.

For example: "Do you have any plans to renovate the lobby?" is a seemingly seem·ing  
adj.
Apparent; ostensible.

n.
Outward appearance; semblance.



seeming·ly adv.
 innocent question. But imagine the reaction of the co-op board member who was in charge of the last lobby renovation.

If you have additional questions, direct them to your real estate broker.

9. A short interview is better than a long one. While there are no hard and fast rules, a short cordial interview with a few board questions and remarks is often the best co-op board interview. A long interview may signify sig·ni·fy  
v. sig·ni·fied, sig·ni·fy·ing, sig·ni·fies

v.tr.
1. To denote; mean.

2. To make known, as with a sign or word: signify one's intent.
 that board members are not fully satisfied with the information supplied in the board package.

10. Do not discuss extensive apartment renovations. It's okay to say that you're interested in repainting your new home or that you would like to buff the floors. But anything else--like a major re-do to the kitchen or the bathroom--is a red flag for most co-op board members, who will probably envision months of noisy Noisy is the name or part of the name of six communes of France:
  • Noisy-le-Grand in the Seine-Saint-Denis département
  • Noisy-le-Roi in the Yvelines département
  • Noisy-le-Sec in the Seine-Saint-Denis département
, dusty construction work with laborers traipsing in and out of the building. Again, the less said, the better.

11. Do not expect an answer at the end of the meeting. Most boards do not give their decision until a day or two after the meeting.

JACKY TEPLITZKY

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, PRUDENTIAL Prudential is the name of two different companies and buildings named after them:

Companies:
  • Prudential plc is a United Kingdom-based financial services company.
  • Prudential Financial, Inc.
 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN
COPYRIGHT 2005 Hagedorn Publication
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2005, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Title Annotation:real estate cooperatives
Author:Teplitzky, Jacky
Publication:Real Estate Weekly
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:May 11, 2005
Words:495
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