Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Pass Me the Lotus

In this poorly run real estate environment of Coop sales in New York City, we finally got our hands on signed contracts today from the buyers of our Queens nest.

How did we do it? Adam, my Recognized-by-the-State-of-California-Domestic-Partner, had to walk over to the buyer’s lawyer’s office to pick up the contract. Because for some reason, that law office never heard of the Post Office.

The lawyer took on a high and mighty act and added a rider and since he is a litigator, made everyone feel uncomfortable with his attitude. But after all that, the contract just sat on his desk because neither he nor his assistant felt like following through on the last step of delivery? What kind of people are they?

So right now, sitting on my Yamaha Keyboard is an envelope with the contracts and the deposit checks. Everyone acts so professional and scary, but then are just fine when we, the sellers, turn into a messenger service.

It is absurd.

The worst thing about transactional reality in New York City is its angry ego and excessive greed. Los Angeles has its vanity and lies. But those seem so much less harmful. Or at least less brutal. Pass me the lotus.

3 comments:

Tandava (Carol Henning) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tandava (Carol Henning) said...

A friend of mine is an of-counsel IP litigator in the NY office of a large midwestern firm.

He is convinced that the practice of law, itself, can make one insane, because it compels one to believe that the crafty application of "logic" can help you prevail in situations where, morally and ethically (which should be the cornerstones of law) you are dead wrong.

I personally believe that there are two main reasons people go into law:

(1) Because it is a lucrative occupation that is always in demand, and doesn't involve much actual seeing or touching other people (as, say, being a doctor does); or

(2) Because they have a personality disorder.

Or a combination of these things.

Don Cummings said...

Carol---brilliant.
On the other hand, my lawyer is very human--and it is perfect that he is in real estate law. It is lucrative for him---but at the same time, he is helping people with the human pursuit of nesting...and he feels warm about it. Glad to know him. But really, the litigators are a nightmare.