Here are 8 real co-op board reference letters from successful buyers

[ad_1] Shopping for a New York Metropolis co-op is so much like making use of for a job. Not solely do it's a must to qualify with a pile of paperwork, however you additionally should make a powerful first impression. Your objective is to persuade a co-op board you'll be a standup neighbor and an asset to the neighborhood.

That is the place references are available in, offered in letters from shut mates and work colleagues that attest to your character and monetary accountability.

That will help you together with your utility, we’ve collected precise reference letters from consumers who landed their desired co-ops, with redacted contact info and any figuring out particulars to guard everybody's privateness.

Most board packages require 4 to 6 letters. It is a good suggestion to ask for 3 letters from skilled contacts, three out of your private community, one out of your landlord or property supervisor, and one out of your employer. This manner, you’ll have a sturdy quantity to select from when submitting the appliance.

[Editor's note: A previous version of this post was published in January 2025. We are presenting it again as part of our summer Best of Brick week.]

The letters beneath provide a information to what needs to be included, organized by key qualities that made every one profitable.

1. Start and finish the letter appropriately Tackle all letters to “Members of the Board,” says Kimberly Blades, founding father of Blades Consulting Companies and board bundle specialist at BOND New York. She has efficiently submitted a whole lot of packages during the last 10 years 12 months and stresses the cruciality of this opening deal with, whereas the signature (redacted right here) needs to be digital or in pen.

2. Use formal letterhead All references ought to use letterhead, Blades says. This could be simpler for knowledgeable reference just like the one beneath, however Blades factors out letterhead may be professionally designed or one thing easy created on a pc.

“The letterhead ought to have a full identify, deal with, cellphone quantity, and e mail deal with,” she says. That is so board members can attain out to the reference if they've additional questions. If the contact info isn’t on the letterhead or beneath the signature, it may be included throughout the physique of the letter, as within the pattern beneath.

You additionally need to be certain that the letter is typed and free from any grammatical errors or spelling errors.

3. Set up the connection Just like the earlier letters, the one beneath (after merchandise 4) describes intimately who the creator of the letter is and the way that particular person is aware of you, in addition to mentions constructive examples out of your life.

“Skip embarrassing school tales in any respect prices,” Blades says.

One other necessary requirement, says Kobi Lahav, director of gross sales at Dwelling New York, is that the particular person writing the letter just isn't a member of the family. A letter out of your mother isn’t going to chop it—you want a extra goal reference.

4. Use somebody who owns in New York Somebody who owns a co-op in NYC—and even higher, is on a co-op board—will make an ideal reference, Lahav says.

“It conveys to the board that the one who is writing the reference understands the complexities of proudly owning within the metropolis and believes that the applicant is ready to coexist in a New York Metropolis constructing neighborhood,” he says. The author of the non-public reference letter beneath even lives within the constructing the place the client is making use of.

Key traits of profitable co-op board reference letters Observe a proper enterprise letter formatThe letter needs to be addressed to “Members of the Board" and signed digitally or in ink.Be sure that it's typed and freed from grammatical and spelling errors. Attempt to get it on letterhead with full contact info.Make it private fairly than professional formaThe authors ought to describe intimately how they know you and embrace constructive examples of who you might be.The letter ought to describe the way you impacted the lives of your neighborhood—not simply particular person accomplishments. You don’t need the letter to indicate you’re overly social and entertain on a regular basis.Get the suitable referencesA nice reference is somebody who owns a co-op—or higher but serves on their co-op board.Boards give extra weight to executives who're able to conduct interviews as a part of their job.Keep away from members of the family in addition to well-known mates whose opinions could be well-known and opposite to ones held by board members. 5. Hold it to 1 web page Though not all of the examples included right here comply with this rule, Rochelle Bass, a dealer at BOND New York, says a reference letter needs to be restricted to 1 web page, or a web page and a half max. This might help preserve the letter succinct whereas additionally permitting the author so as to add particular particulars to color an image of a purchaser’s character.

6. Discover somebody in an govt place The letter beneath was offered by the chief monetary officer of an organization, which in accordance with Lahav is a significant plus.

“If the particular person writing the letter has an govt place that permits him to interview individuals, then the board will give extra weight to the letter,” he says.

Bought a well-known good friend who can endorse you? Lahav says which may backfire if they're in any respect controversial.

“If the particular person recommending you is a recognized determine who has opinions which may not be well liked by sure elements of the general public—both course of the political map—then you definately may need to keep away from utilizing that particular person,” he says.

7. Embody references to neighborhood involvement Nicole Gary, a dealer at Keller Williams New York Metropolis, offers her shoppers with a pattern letter that they'll edit to swimsuit their wants. In her view, one other precedence for the letter author is to incorporate what the possible purchaser has achieved to help the neighborhood—and provides examples of what would make them a wonderful neighbor.

“Have they volunteered or been on any boards collectively? What makes the client fiscally accountable? I at all times counsel giving as many real-life examples as attainable to point out this particular person is an individual of integrity,” she says.

So it’s much less about private accomplishments and extra about serving the neighborhood at massive. In different phrases, the letter ought to describe the way you’ve impacted the lives of your mates, co-workers, and neighbors.

What are some examples that your reference can place within the letter displaying your impression on the neighborhood, your capacity to collaborate with the neighborhood in problem-solving, your capacity to deal with battle and resolve it to enhance the state of affairs of others?

8. Attempt to create a low-key picture You don’t need the letter to indicate you’re overly social and will likely be entertaining all of the time.

“Speaking about how somebody has many mates and likes to journey and socialize may counsel to the board [the buyer] is a few form of a celebration animal and so they may face noise points,” Lahav says. As an alternative, emphasize dedication to work and sound work ethics.

“In essence, the board is trying to preserve a quiet neighborhood. A board letter ought to emphasize the skilled aspect and fewer the socializing aspect,” he says.