September 1, 2021 turned out to be a damaging day because of hurricane Ida for many in NY and NJ. For some it was even deadly : there are over 40 reported deaths across several states in the Northeast.
Ironically, it was also the happiest day for me earlier in the day: after 6 excruciating months of waiting, I finally closed my studio in Astoria, Queens. It is literally a shoebox, a studio with a square footage fewer than 500 sq., and the closing happened to be on the wettest day of 2021 in NY so far. But I was exhilarated with joy and relief!
Buying an apartment -- my first one in New York -- is not a small deal, especially the entire process took place as we have been deep in the covid, and I have been back and forth between U.S. and China for my Mom, who was seriously ill and eventually passed away a couple of months ago. But on Sep. 1, 2021, everything seemed to lined up for me: attorneys from all sides, that is, including my attorney Nataly, the seller’s attorney Gus, the bank’s attorney, the co-op’s attorney, and the pay-off attorney…...anyway, there were a lot of people in the room, in addition to me, the seller, a mid-aged tall white guy with a lean figure and long face (and forgot to give me the keys to the mailbox and the laundry room — thank you, Andrew!), and Peter, the seller’s realtor, kindly gave me a ride back to Astoria after closing, which turned out to be really fun, including lunch at an Italian restaurant! I only remember signing a lot of paper, while Nataly explained to me in plain language so that I could understand what it was about. Essentially it worked like this:
Nataly: Sign here. This 40-page file is the closing disclosure that basically outlines everything. You can simply sign here (she pointed at one spot on the top sheet) to indicate that you have seen the document.
Me: Yeah...I did SEE the document. It is sitting right in front of me. But who gets to read 40 pages now!
Nataly: It’s standard so just sign.
And I signed.
Given the fact that the closing was delayed by the bank for over 2 months (for whatever reason the bank threw at me, like, they were backed up because too many people were buying and selling and refinancing due to the exceptionally low interest rate), the closing, typically could take 2 hours or more, went
exceptionally smooth. Within 2 hours, after signing profusely on documents that I only got to see the title and the blank where I shall sign, we were done! I held the stock -- a certificate on paper stock with a blue wide edge saying I am the stockholder of XXX shares of the co-op, which equals the share of the studio in the building -- for a few seconds so Nataly could take a photo of me holding it and gave it to Lisa, the bank’s attorney. “ I guess you will see this piece of paper in 30 years if not earlier!” Lisa was a kind woman in her early 50s with a sense of humor.
Before the heavy rain started later in the afternoon that day, I made my way back to Astoria, went to the studio to try out the keys, and biked back to my current Steinway apartment. The day was a redemption for all the wait (which doubled the typical waiting period for buying a co-op in NYC) and the anxiety that I might not get the apartment AND lose my deposit.
I am sure my mom would have loved to see this day. And perhaps she does see from Heaven!
I prayed the night before for her blessing. And it worked!
Now I can officially say I own my shoebox in New York!
A walk through of my shoebox: https://youtu.be/C5RasxaMXEE
Astoria, New York
September 1, 2021