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Decatur party was packed

January 23rd, 2007 · Comments · By Matt

I was unable to attend the Decatur opening event. I thought it was just a preview event but apparently they were writing up purchase and sale agreements. I hear from my spies that the place was packed, every one was elbow to elbow and that at least 26 PSAs were drawn up. I also hear that while the model units are nice the building’s hallways need a makeover and it is unclear they will be getting one.

Now Wendy was able to attend the event and you can find her thoughts here, Decatur update.

Something I’d recommend if you’re checking out a conversion from an apartment is to check out the apartment’s ratings. ApartmentRatings.com for Decatur:

At a 50% rating it’s no surprise to see a wide range of comments from:

the quality of the building is second rate-and you don’t even get your own washer dryer in your “condo”…
it’s all about money here….don’t spend your hard earned money on this place.

To:

The Decatur was sold, and it’s going to be condos. I really liked it here–great location, friendly and attentive mgmt, etc, but it’s all about the $$ and they are being converted to condos.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Tags: Decatur

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  • Cooper Square
    It looks like Jeff Wysong is selling his house on Bainbridge Island:

    http://www.dennispaige.mywindermere.com/index.c...

    Maybe now he can pay me back the money I spent on my moldy condo.
  • Peckham
    I drove by Cooper Square the other day and there does not appear to be any construction going on. In fact, the building looks to be in pretty crappy shape. I thought that things were ready to go a year ago as far as getting the building fixed??? And how has nobody sued this Wysong guy yet???
  • gmaint
    Having worked for Wysong a few years ago, none of these comments surprise me. The original low-budget owner, who tends to believe his employees exist to serve his and his wife's (Kimber) simple requests; even if you are after hours and 2 hours away.
  • Pookie
    I have a friend who has lived in Cooper Square for the last couple of years and she says that the HOA board there is horrible. She says they never get anything done and drag their feet constantly. Is that the general feeling of all of the owners there? If so, how did those people get elected?
  • Cooper Square Owner
    So everything is in place for the building to be repaired. The contract with a lawyer is finished being reviewed and will probably get signed soon. Then it is a multi-step process for a lawsuit - all of which require 67% vote so if you are an owner make sure you get to the meetings or get the information because we need everyone to vote!
  • Peckham
    Cooper Square Qwner,
    So did you get the new lawyer on board? Did the homeowners vote to file a lawsuit? I would love an update. Thanks!
  • Peckham
    Cooper Square Owner,

    So what is the latest information on the building situation at Cooper Square? Did the HOA finally pursue a lawsuit? Did they finally replace the property management company? It's been a couple of months since your last post, please give us an update when you can. Thanks!
  • Cooper Square Owner
    So I have gotten involved with Cooper Square and the ball is now rolling.(Not just because of me but timing of it all). Unfortunately for the board the property management company decided they didn't want to help with any of it (hmm does anyone else smell a partnership between Wysong and Suhrco????). So they are now being fired and a new company is coming on to help. Lawyers are now involved - we just need the support of at least 67% of the homeowners. I think it might be easy when I tell them their homeowners dues will go up about $350 a month (or a $30,000 lump sum) if they don't vote yes to a lawsuit.
  • Wysong Conversions
    When is it election time?
  • Cooper Square
    To the "Former building defect Board member":

    I guess you deserve some blame in this as well. As a "former building defect board member" (what the hell does that mean, anyway), what did you accomplish in your time in this very important role? What positive changes did you inspire? What resident questions did you answer and what concerns did you address?

    That's what I thought...

    Thank you for your efforts. You have proven to be just as ineffective as the current HOA board at Cooper Square.

    Is everyone in this building completely useless?
  • jo
    soooooooooo....instead of complaining why don't you run for a seat?
  • Wysong Conversions
    If the HOA at Cooper Square wasn't completely inept, this issue would have been addresses a year ago. The board members SHOULD want the role they have taken, they CHOSE to take a position on the board...they were not forced. And they CHOSE to deal with the day to day operations (isn't that what they pay a property manager for?). The HOA at Cooper Square is pathetic and the residents there are paying dearly for it. Congrats to those who got out, too bad for those who are still here. It's discouraging to think that the financial welfare of the residents of the building are in the hands of 4 people who "don't have time" to make a simple appointment with a loan officer, pick up a phone and talk with a contractor, or do anything else productive but sit around and complain to each other about having to put in some effort to the job that they volunteered to do. That board is a joke. When is it election time?
  • Peckham
    "If yes, youre probably very safe buying the unit as any problem would have been discovered and corrected. "

    LOL! On buildings repaired after 2000/2001, maybe. Quite a few condos around Seattle have been wrapped twice, and it's not to seal in the juice.
  • Former building defect Board m
    To the comments left by 'Cooper Square' and 'Cooper Square Owner':

    It seems very easy to sit back and complain that a Board is not doing their job when you are not actively engaged in finding a solution to the very complicated problem of building defect.

    You then are speaking of yourself when you say 'dragging your feet' because you are just as much an owner as the volunteer Board member who gives up hours of their week and countless weeknights/weekend meetings to move forward. You just don't see this because, you are not at the meetings.

    You also don't take into account that the Board is also dealing with the day to day operations of normal Board obligations, on top of building issues.

    It should not be assumed that these Board members at all want the role they have undertaken, but they have chosen to be a part of the solution, not the problem.

    Maybe if all owners were 1/4 as involved as these Board members, the building would have been fixed a year ago.

    Do not complain of your strongest advocate.

    Do not sit namelessly behind a blog and complain, contact your board member tomorrow, buck up and be a part of the solution.
  • Chris
    If you think you were sold a pig-and-a-poke pick up the phone and find out what your rights are. You might be really surprised and glad you did. If your building was converted or constructed less than four years ago you are in a GREAT position. Your chance of getting complete recovery for the cost of repairs is terrific. You can thank, for now, our friends in Olympia. That will change and is changing as the building industry has more money than you and is changing the law. But for now, pick up the phone and call a law firm that specializes in this type of thing. Names I am familiar with (in the interest of complete disclosure I am an attorney that focusses exclusively on this so I'm pretty familiar with the good firms) Law Office of William Willard, Ryan Swanson Cleveland (ask for John Petrie) and Levin and Stien. Almost forgot, if your thinking of buying a condominium ask if it's ever been through construction defect litigation. If yes, you're probably very safe buying the unit as any problem would have been discovered and corrected. If your not sure if the project you are considering has been through litigation call any of the firms listed above and they should be willing and able to tell you. You might get a kick out of knowing that my business partner, the "Skoglund" in Casey & Skoglund, lived in a condominium that leaked and he had to live through 11 months of litigaiton and then the 10 month repair process. He would tell you..."I feel your pain!" Cheers.
  • Cooper Square Owner
    I agree the HOA has been dragging their feet too long for Cooper Square. I'm willing to do something about it - just need the right guidance. I'm even considering personally filing a lawsuit agains Wysong just because the HOA isn't making any decisions. I plan on selling next spring and I don't want this to impact the sale.
  • Bill Bogen
    There are very strong remedies for condo conversions less than 4 years old. What the developer knew or should have known is the key.

    There are several reputable law firms that specialize in these cases. CAI knows who they are.
  • Cooper Square
    Looks like the top floor unit of Cooper Square is on it's way to being sold. Not too many sales in this building in the last several months, just one that was bargin-priced and had great staging on the 3rd floor.

    I think a major problem wth this building, besides the siding issues, is the HOA. They really have no idea of what's going on and they complain that the issues in the building take up too much of their personal time...if you don't have time to deal with building matters, then don't be on the board. They have done absolutely ZERO preventative maintenance and the building looks like crap from the outside now. I guess that's what happens when you have a bunch of first-time home buyers running your HOA. This building would really benefit from a change on the board.

    Other units for sale have been sitting on the market FOREVER. Time to wise up and either drop you price by $40,000 or take it off of the market...agents know what's going on with the construction problems. My worry is that the HOA is going to drag their feet even longer than they already have and this building will fall down before it ever gets fixed. Too bad this complex doesn't have the HOA that the above-mentioned Windsor Court has, because we would be in a very different position.
  • Peckham
    "Most condo bldgs all seem like those hotel kind of hallways"

    For a real olfactory treat, walk down the hallway at dinner time. The Ballard smells like one big kitchen... not to mention the construction defect issue.
  • Sara
    Yes there were 2 on the top floor. The one I was more interested in was 609 I think. I like the building but the hallways seemed too hotel-like. Most condo bldgs all seem like those hotel kind of hallways... I am getting annoyed and frustrated the more I look lately. My lease is up end of August so I am sort of taking my time now. Nothing that great has come on the market lately so I am just keeping my eyes open for that next dream place - like when I first saw 515 on greenwood. My email address is sgirl1975@yahoo.com if you do want to really compare notes. Good idea -- as long as we don't end up wanting the same place again and bidding against ea other ; )
  • Kristin
    Wow. That's a crazy coincidence. And yes, I'm still bummed.

    The unit I was looking at last October at The Ballard went back on the market, I think. It's on the top floor. Wonder if that's the same one you're looking at? Maybe we should starting comparing notes?!
  • Another Frustrated Buyer
    Kristen, you and I must have the exact same taste because I also looked at The Ballard and am still considering it. Does anyone know of any current issues there?

    ALSO I was one of the multiple offers on #515 at cooper square. Was devasted to find out someone had outbid me, but I had already known about the siding issue and my offer reflected that. Was very in love with the place, but couldn't take on that huge unknown risk with my budget as well. Don't understand why they just don't sue him.

    Shame on the Wysong Group!!!! I really, really wanted that place and still do, and can't believe that guy is not doing the right thing. They need to go under for this negligence. He is selling a 2 mil marina on the san juans i heard.

    I wish everyone in that building luck and am interested to see what comes of the situation. We will be glad in the end that we didn't get it, and although its hard to let it go - something better will come our way.
  • nitsuj
    "The annoying part is that this is the second time Ive discovered issues after paying for an inspection. Back in October, I backed out buying a place at The Ballard because of pending litigation. The HOA sued the original developer for siding that was not properly installed. That building was new construction, btw."

    It sounds like there's value in a (public, easily accessable) web based list/db of these types of properties, especially if it's as common as Peckham/Peckhammer make it sound.

    Kristin, I'm with Anita, you have GOOD luck. $300 is better than the alternative.
  • Peckhammer
    Anyone with at least one eye open has noticed the countless buildings wrapped in white or black (depending on season). Guess why they are wrapped? It's certainly not a gift for the homeowners, otherwise there would be a big red bow on it.

    Condo Litigation and re-construction matters are a GIANT business in Seattle. I am not at liberty to discuss any specifics, though.
  • jo
    peckham - are you going to speak in generalities or actually give us names of projects?
  • Anita
    "I'm starting to thing I have really bad luck"
    I understand your frustration, but another way to look at it may be that you have had good luck because you found out the problems BEFORE you bought, unlike the current owners. Another blog talked about a similar situation in a Bellevue conversion, and stated that some of the homeowners ended up declaring bankruptcy because of the special assessment.
    Now, that is "bad luck".
  • Kristin
    I rescinded my offer. It was a very painful decision to make. I'm heartbroken; I absolutely loved that place and was thrilled to be able to buy it during a multiple offer situation. But there were too many unknowns. And I have a budget.

    I did more than the average person's due diligence in this situation. And I thank the person who posted the anonymous note to this blog for first alerting me of the situation, so I could ask relevant questions.

    I've read all the documents I could get my hands on, including the original disclosures for Cooper Square and court docs filed in the Windsor lawsuit. (Yes, the case alleges breach of contract and violation of the state Consumer Protection Act.) Cooper Square folks have not taken a vote regarding an assessment or litigation but right now they are focusing on the necessary repairs/improvements. But an unofficial estimate placed the work at around $1.5 million. Could be less. Could be more.

    I'm out another $300 for my unit inspection -- which did not detect any issues, btw. The unit's fine. It's the envelope that needs work.

    I don't blame the seller, btw. I believe this individual was upfront and just didn't have all the facts. The reality is that I very well may have purchased the unit anyway, had my budget allowed for that kind of flexibility. But it doesn't. Someone else will no doubt fall in love with it.

    The annoying part is that this is the second time I've discovered issues after paying for an inspection. Back in October, I backed out buying a place at The Ballard because of pending litigation. The HOA sued the original developer for siding that was not properly installed. That building was new construction, btw.

    I'm starting to think that I have really bad luck.
  • Peckham
    "Is the HOA there planning on pursuing legal action? Why havent they already?"

    While I cannot answer those questions, I can say that it is not always so simple. Who knows what the contracts said? I know of a conversion in Bellevue that had all of the building plumbing fail. The contract was so tight that the homeowners had to eat the costs. A dozen or more unit owners ended up declaring bankruptcy.

    I also know of a another condo that had a complete strip and reclad in the late '90s and they'll be doing it again. It's going to cost the owners millions, and the statute of limitations has run on most of the parties.

    There have been so many of these stories it's hard to keep track of them. Many never make it to litigation and are subject to non-disclosure settlements -- and sometimes the settlements are not enough to do the repairs. Buying a condo in Seattle is a gambling, IMO.
  • Anita
    Hmmm. The developer buys a building, converts it to condos, ignores the structural repairs they agree to do (in writing), sells the condos, and leaves the new homeowners holding the bag. Literally. Then repeats the process with another building conversion, and another.

    Isn't this not only a breach of contract, but a violation of the Consumer Protection Act as well???
  • Wysong Conversions
    The earlier mentioned Wysong conversion, Windsor Court in Queen Anne, has indeed filed a lawsuit against Wysong. The suit was filed by all the owners collectively and was filed in King Co. Superior Court. The case number is 07-2-38524-0 if you want to find out about it. This makes 3 Wysong conversions that were left with shoddy work, or promised work that was not done at all.

    From what I have heard, Cooper Square in Greenwood is at least looking to fix their building this summer, although that probably means a hefty special assessment for the homeowners there because they will have to pay for it themselves. At least they will have a fixed building with a brand new roof and siding if anyone there ever wants to sell in the future. Hard to sell a unit when the building is in shambles...I hope that work gets done soon. Is the HOA there planning on pursuing legal action? Why haven't they already?

    And I saw that Wysong purchased another apartment building 6 months ago in Bellevue that it is planning to convert...price tag $12.2 million. Obviously they have the money and assets to fix their previous conversions and complete promised work at the other. Is no one holding them accountable?
  • Eric
    Hi,

    I feel your pain. I live at the Decatur and we're also living through Wysong's failure to deliver on promises. Apparently several employees have been replaced over the past few months. These employees were promising nice amenities during the sales process. We were promised a rooftop deck and a rooftop garden over the garage. In fact several people here were told barbeques have been purchased for the deck. The promises of both features weighed heavily on my decision to buy at the Decatur. It appears we may finally get these features, but they will be underwhelming at best. The current proposal will result in a paltry 150 square foot rooftop deck for a building with 146 units. One barbeque up there would wipe out a quarter of the space. We had a homeowners meeting in January where Jeff Wysong told us that several employees had been replaced, and they never should have made the promises. Well his employees did make the promises and Wysong needs to make good on what they said. Apparently, we could have a larger rooftop deck, but several building modifications would have to be made. I wish Wysong would have planned these features BEFORE starting the conversion process. At least if planning had been conducted beforehand, buyers wouldn't have been told all of this erroneous information, and they wouldn't feel mislead as they do now. Personally, I feel Wysong should pay to make the modifications. An architect living in the building outlined what would have to happen to make a larger deck a reality. It isn't daunting, but it would require a relatively modest additional expenditure. The way this has been handled is sloppy at best. I love the unit I bought, but the experience of buying from Wysong would have been a positive one if the homeowners didn't have to constantly harangue the company. Get every promise in well detailed writing including specs.
  • Kristin
    I am a prospective buyer in that building and have until Friday to make a decision. (The unit I'm looking at is gorgeous and had multiple offers.) I attended the HOA mtg on Monday where the board discussed a possible special assessment to cover the replacement of the roof and siding. I won't say more because I'm still in the negotiations phase.

    However, it's certainly not what I wanted to hear.
  • Aaron Marberg
    I too am a homeowner from Cooper Square, a condo conversion done by Wysong. DO NOT BUY FROM WYSONG!!! They do not follow through on their promises. Our building is rotting due to poor work and lack of follow through on Wysong's part. An inspection was completed before the purchase and all areas of concern were to be addressed by Wysong; They weren't. I love being a homeowner but if I could do it all again I would not have purchased my condo.
  • Cooper Square
    DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM The Wysong Group! I am a homeowner from Cooper Square, a Wysong conversion on 90th & Greenwood, and when we moved in, Wysong wrote in all of our sales agreements that they would replace the roof after we moved in. 2 years later, same roof with leaks and now the siding on the building has failed because it was installed improperly during the conversion. Oh, and they made all of the same promises about fixing small things in each unit when we moved innever happened.

    To make the story more amazing, the homeowners at Windsor Court, another Wysong conversion in Seattle, have just filed a lawsuit against The Wysong Group for the shoddy work done on their buiding and water damage it caused.

    If you have any Wysong rip-off stories, please continue to post them here as the homeowners of Cooper Square are preparing for their own lawsuit against The Wysong Group. Also ,feel free to call or email Jeffery Wysong, owner of The Wysong Group:

    Jeffrey Wysong
    Wysong Capital Corporation
    1411 4th Ave
    Suite 850
    Seattle, WA 98101
    206-621-9300 X209
    jeff.wysong@wysongcapital.com
    www.wysonggroup.com

    tell him the homeowners of Cooper Square sent you!
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