Reference letters are meant to reassure the board you will be a good neighbor and a responsible community member.
Buying a New York City co-op is like the job application process—on steroids. Not only do you have to qualify with a pile of financial documents, but you also have to convince a co-op board you will be a good neighbor and an asset to the community.
This is where references come in, which are letters from close friends and business colleagues that attest to your personal character and financial responsibility.
To help you with your application, we’ve collected some reference letters from buyers who successfully landed their desired co-ops. We've redacted contact information and any identifying details to protect everyone's privacy.
Most board packages ask for four to six letters. It's a good idea to ask for three from professional contacts, three from personal contacts, one from your landlord or property manager, and one from your employer. This way, you’ll have a good number to choose from when it comes time to submit the application.
[Editor's note: A previous version of this post was published in January. We are presenting it again as part of our summer Best of Brick week.]
The letters below are a good guide for what needs to be included. We’ve also identified some of the key characteristics that made each one successful.
The letter should be addressed to “Members of the Board,” says Kimberly Blades, board package specialist at BOND New York. Blades helped to submit about 130 packages last year and says this opening address is crucial. Signatures in these letters have been redacted, and she says letters should be signed digitally or in pen.
