A co-op board interview can be among the most stressful aspects of purchasing a home in New York City. The application process requires revealing all of your financials, submitting a lengthy board package, and meeting with the board to answer personal questions—after which the board can turn you down without giving a reason! The good news is that getting to the interview means the board has already reviewed your financials and considers you a pretty good candidate for living in their building. To help you ace the final hurdle—the co-op board interview—we’ve prepared a co-op board interview guide complete with commonly asked co-op interview questions.
- Submit an impeccable board package. Your agent’s expertise in submitting board packages will make this part of the application process easy.
- Know your finances. Your board package has every detail of your finances dating back years, so it will require your review to be sure you understand your finances in and out.
- Scrub your social media. If you or anyone in your family has a public social media account, be sure to scrub it of any content that could be seen as controversial. Board members may browse your list of friends for common connections or red flags, so you may want to make the list private as well.
- Coordinate responses with your partner. You and your partner should be on the same page about answers you will give. Decide in advance who will answer questions about which topic.
- Prepare your pet. For buildings that accept dogs, the board will want to know whether your pup is well behaved and quiet. It is a good idea to have your dog walker and current neighbor write a letter of recommendation about your pup’s good behavior. The board may require an interview with the dog at which time you can expect them to ring a doorbell and see how your dog reacts. If you know your dog’s behavior might be less than stellar, hire a trainer to brush up on manners. If your pup would be a good candidate, get a certification through the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program to show the board that you are a responsible owner and your dog is well-mannered.
- Dress well, arrive on time, know your audience, and make eye contact. Basic manners are the foundation for a good board interview. Memorize the names of who you’ll be meeting. Men should wear a suit and tie with minimal fragrances; women should wear a suit or dress and minimal makeup, jewelry, and fragrances.
- Keep it simple. Avoid oversharing which could lead to divulging information that will work against you. Answer the board’s questions without too much detail. Don’t ask questions. Keep the conversation simple, polite, and to the point.
- Prepare for questions designed to push your buttons. Someone on the board may try to push your buttons to see how you react. Keep cool. Don’t become defensive. Answer calmly to show you are even-tempered.
- Don’t ask for feedback. Avoid asking the board members how you did, what they thought, or if you’re in.
- Thank them and wait patiently. You should expect to hear back from the board through your agent within a week.
Commonly asked interview questions will center around your finances, work, home life, hobbies, background, pets, and your interest in the building and neighborhood. You will likely encounter some variation of the following questions:
Finances. It’s the job of the board to ensure all residents have the financials to keep the building in good standing. Prepare for questions to clarify how financially stable you are, and don’t be surprised by questions about any flags in your finances.
- Do you have enough money to live here and make timely payments every month?
- Are you prepared for any increases in the maintenance due to unforeseen repairs?
- Please tell us about why you have this negative record on your credit history.
Your interest in the building and neighborhood. Your answers should reflect your affinity to the building and neighborhood, willingness to follow the co-op rules, interest in participating in the board (one day), and financial stability. Be sure you know the rules, avoid mentioning anything about moving for financial reasons, and avoid mentioning anything you dislike about the building.
- What do you think of the building?
- Why do you want to live in the building?
- What do you like about the neighborhood?
- Do you know/understand the rules of the building?
- Would you consider being part of the building board?
- Do you have questions about living in the building?
- Why are you moving?
Work. The board wants to ensure that your job is stable. Accentuate the positive regarding your work life and avoid sharing anything you dislike about your current job. If asked, clarify that your home will be used only for residential purposes (with the occasional work from home day, if applicable).
- What do you do for a living?
- How long have you been at your job?
- Do you like your work?
- Do you work from home?
- Will your home be used for business purposes?
Home life. Co-op boards want quiet, clean, and respectful neighbors. When answering the board’s questions, keep in mind that they are seeking applicants whose schedule, noise levels, habits, and guests won’t disturb other residents. If they ask you about your plans to renovate, simply let them know you have no immediate plans of renovating the home. If they ask you about how frequently you like to have parties or out-of-town guests, let them know you have occasional dinners with close friends but not many out of town guests.
- Are you planning on doing renovations?
- Do you like to have parties?
- Do you smoke?
- Do you frequently have out of town guests?
Hobbies and Interests. Any interests you have that would likely disturb your neighbors are best kept to yourself at this time. Reading, writing, painting, and other “quiet” activities are perfectly suitable hobbies to disclose during your interview process; playing the drums, hosting salsa dancing sessions, and your love of heavy metal are best kept to yourself.
- What are your hobbies?
- What do you do for fun?
- What kind of music do you listen to?
- What social organizations are you involved with?
Background. It’s illegal to reject co-op applicants based on race, gender, marital status, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, military status, disability, alienage, color, or choice of lawful occupation, so some of the board’s questions may seem intrusive. If they skirt the issues, simply answer vaguely and honestly.
- What schools did you go to?
- Where have you lived?
- How did you and your partner meet?
Pets. Buildings that allow dogs want to make sure the pet won’t be a nuisance or a danger to residents. A pet interview may be required.
- Do you have pets?
- Can your pet be touched and held?
- Does it have a history of biting?
- Is it completely housebroken?
- Does your dog bark?
Once you have prepared in advance, the key to your interview is to appear relaxed and likable. Best wishes to you! You will do great!
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The Markets. Fixed rates on home loans fell sharply in the past week to their lowest levels since May of last year, in response to the markets — especially the continued drop in oil prices. Freddie Mac announced that for the week ending January 8, 30-year fixed rates decreased to 3.73% from 3.88% the week before. The average for 15-year loans fell to 3.05%. Adjustables were down slightly, with the average for one-year adjustables decreasing one tick to 2.39% and five-year adjustables down to 2.98%. A year ago, 30-year fixed rates were at 4.51%, which is over 0.75% higher than today’s levels. Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac — “Rates on home loans fell to begin the year as 10-year Treasury yields slid beneath 2.0% for the first time in three months. Meanwhile, the Fed minutes indicated ongoing discussion regarding the timing of the first rate hike. Of the few economic releases this week, ADP Research Institute reports the private sector added an estimated 241,000 jobs in December, which exceeded market expectations and followed an upward revision of 19,000 jobs in November.” Rates indicated do not include fees and points and are provided for evidence of trends only. They should not be used for comparison purposes.
