Page 10 - CooperatorNews NY April 2022

TRENDS An old time-worn saying ‘that you’re only as good as your first impression’ is paramount in how your co-op or condo building is per- ceived at street level. The curb appeal factor cannot be discounted when people pass by your building and see that its awnings are a little weathered or outdated, street garbage and debris is piling up on the sidewalk, and main- tenance has been woefully neglected. Especially in times of economic stress, co-op and condo boards and buildings try to maximize the curb appeal of their property in order to compete in a market that has begun to rebound but has a long road to recovery ahead. While these makeovers need not cost thousands of dollars, it’s a little more complex than just planting some geraniums and call- ing it a day. How your building or association presents itself to passers-by and the world at large—its curb appeal—has a direct effect on resident morale, pride of ownership, and even property values. The anticipation of putting your own touch on the place, decorating it the way you want because it’s your property is one of the perks of home ownership. However, with the perks come responsibilities. You also need to take partner in the New York City-based law firm bylaws to see what the conditions are to build the rules and regulations are must be applied care of your new asset too—not just inside, but of Seyfarth Shaw LLC. sometimes outside as well. Nobody wants to live next to the eccen- tric lady in 2B who has disregarded the ‘no lows some decorating or remodeling outside gnomes’ rule and has kitschy ceramic figurines your front door, those allowances are laid out poking out of every single shrub and flower explicitly in the set of rules you received when “Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of subject to those rules as long as you’re not be- bed outside her front door—or the neighbor- hood political super-activist whose windows, proprietary lease are going to regulate the type sociation, cooperative association, or residen- lawn, and every other stationary surface is fes- tooned with campaign signs, decals, or flags. Living in close quarters with scores—may- be hundreds—of other people is hard enough your property. Generally the courts will sup- without the added tension of poor exterior port these provisions.” upkeep. So before you add your own string of multicolored lights to your front door or for certain adjustments, you will probably need such member has a separate ownership inter- plant a gigantic plastic frog in the tree pit in the approval. “Residents can’t touch the outside of est or a right to exclusive possession or use.” courtyard or by your front stoop, it’s important the unit without the approval of the board of to learn what is and isn’t allowed in terms of directors or managers,” says Marc H. Schnei- décor and cleanliness and what repercussions der, Managing Partner of Garden City, New time, place, or manner of displaying the flag you want to project in a well-run, well-main- there are for slacking off on maintenance or York-based law firm Schneider Buchel LLP. of the United States necessary to protect a tained building.” disregarding the rules. Play By the Rules Honestly, this really should be a short ar- ticle because in truth, co-op and condo resi- dents are generally forbidden from altering or the outside of the unit, without the approval of owner of displaying the flag, but they can make many aspects of the building. decorating any part of the building or develop- ment outside their own individual unit. “They aren’t allowed to touch the outside, and any condo property, Greenstein says that the proj- exterior work that needs to be done is done ect would be subject to conditions. “Let’s say Manhattan law firm of Kagan Lubic Lepper landscaping and entry doors, plus whatever by a professional,” says Dennis Greenstein, a you want to build a patio. You must look at the Finkelstein & Gold, LLP. “However, whatever However, if you are fortunate to live in a from the municipalities that govern the filing What I tell many folks, when you buy into a building or homeowners association that al- you bought your unit. “The bylaws and the 2005” which states that “A condominium as- of repairs and alterations,” says Greenstein. tial real estate management association may “This goes for anything you want to put in the not adopt or enforce any policy, or enter into the entire building image,” says Marilyn Sy- window too, even though it’s on the inside of any agreement, that would restrict or prevent a grove, president of Sygrove Associates Design Even if your documents contain allowances ty within the association with respect to which the materials and design are, and it gives you “No co-op is going to let them do anything on substantial interest of the condominium asso- the exterior. Nobody can alter the building. In ciation, cooperative association, or residential fully managed and desirable building, Sygrove a condo association, there are some instances real estate management association.” where the board may let you do something to the respective board.” If building is allowed on the exterior of your as what other things unit owners can display,” at eye level,” she says, “from the condition of it. You would probably need to get approvals evenly to all shareholders and unit owners. as well as other things you need to do.” Flying High In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the who govern. You have to accept that you are member of the association from displaying the Group Inc. in Manhattan. “Number one, how flag of the United States on residential proper- The Act does allow an association to adopt snow is shoveled, the door hardware is shiny “any reasonable restriction pertaining to the and the glass is clean...that is the image that “The condo board can’t prohibit the unit She explains that curb appeal encompasses determinations as to when they fly it, as well says Jack Lepper, managing partner of the the sidewalk, the awning, any plantings or co-op or condo you are voluntarily choosing to join a club. The rules are often set by those ing singled out.” Image is Everything “Curb appeal absolutely sets the tone for well the building is maintained, how current a sense of the quality of the building. If you are in the competitive real estate market and your In order to convey the image of a success- suggests attending to all aspects of the exterior. “Curb appeal is the facade of the building The Importance of Curb Appeal Making a Good Exterior Impression BY LISA IANNUCCI 10 COOPERATORNEWS — APRIL 2022 COOPERATORNEWS.COM continued on page 17