guest blog by Nila Ridings
This story may serve as a mind-bending psychological trip when a prospective homeowner has to “win” over the board to be granted the right to buy into a place to live.
Medical students stress over the LSAT, MCAT, and Step One, Two, and Three before they qualify for a medical degree. All of those tests induce stress beyond comprehension. But it’s more understandable when you realize these positions require a great deal of commitment and little room for error.
Many prospective home buyers are going through similar agony over their “interviews” with co-op boards as if acceptance into one of these places could mean life or death. Are they really providing employment details, financial records, and having their pets “interviewed” just to be able to put a roof over their heads?
What if they get laid off, change jobs, or their company agrees to a merger that doesn’t meet the acceptance of the board? Or their dog goes to a new groomer and the new haircut isn’t to the liking of the uppity board president? What happens if their uncle’s cousin is convicted of bank robbery? Could these changes push these “lucky” homeowners into homelessness?
Ridiculous. Outrageous. Insane. Who would, and why would, anybody ever sign on to such nonsense…and pay for it?
