An issue came up on a recent transaction and I thought it was appropriate to repost this quick tip originally published 6/24/2007.
Soon after entering into a contract for the sale of a cooperative apartment, order a payoff letter for the underlying loan being secured by the stock certificate and proprietary lease. By ordering a payoff letter, the lender holding your stock certificate and proprietary lease as collateral for the loan will start to the search; assign an attorney to receive the documents who will deliver them to the closing. Upon locating the stock certificate and proprietary lease the lender will send it to this law firm who will hold it until closing. Although the payoff letter can be ordered and updated on relatively short notice, locating the stock and lease may take some time. Ordering the payoff letter early assures the Seller that the stock certificate and proprietary lease will have them when needed. Ordering a payoff letter late in the transaction, may cause delays in closing while the bank locates these documents which will be needed in order to close. Be aware, sometimes lenders may lose your stock certificate and proprietary lease. The lender will issue an affidavit attesting to the misplacement of the stock and lease and indemnify the Seller and the managing agent from any liability resulting from the loss.
Comments