NEW YORK CITY

A READER ASKS: I'm a new addition to my co-op board. Our building façade has several cracks, and we are considering the possible fixes. I'm concerned that we may settle on a Band-Aid repair that will fix the problem cosmetically while neglecting a larger problem that will only get worse and costlier with time. I don't know much about building construction to support my concerns. Can you give me any information that would help sway my fellow board members to investigate the problem further and not settle for the easiest and cheapest solution? I don't want to come off as pushy or overeager.

Tick tock goes the clock, the New Year is nearly here. And with an eye toward the near future, DNAinfo asked some real estate experts what we can expect from New York City's housing market in 2015. The first thing that caught our eye was the shift in focus to smaller spaces — and we're not talking just the rental market. Things are about to shrink in the luxury market as well, thanks, in part, to a "slowdown in sales for pricey new condos." The bottom line is that "feeling less urgency, wealthy buyers are becoming choosier." Hmm. Perhaps that sales slowdown is one of the reasons why another group of real estate experts earlier this month talked a lot of smack about co-ops to another publication, in an effort to generate a looooot of buzz about condos.

Window replacement is an expensive capital improvement. Replacement windows, unlike windows in a newly constructed building, have to be custom-made. However, the hefty sticker price doesn't mean boards can't get attractive, efficient windows at reasonable prices. It comes down to knowing what you need and having an architect or engineer advise you and prepare specifications. There are a wide variety of window types — not to mention the size, shape, and thickness of the glass and frames — to consider. And don't forget about the state and city rules and regulations that will ultimately drive your choice.

If landing a co-op is on your list of New Year's resolutions, you'll want to check out this piece of helpful advice from Brickunderground.com. Yes, a lot of the grueling application process is made up of your financial details — to prove you can afford the place. But it's also who you know, or who knows you, rather. Recommendation letters are a huge deal, and it matters who vouches for you. Brickunderground.com explains that a letter from a doorman, who may be angling for a decent holiday tip, will probably not carry the same weight as one from an employer or from someone who lives in your building and happens to serve on the board. Good advice notwithstanding, what's really worth checking out in this item is the collection of letters from buyers who aced their applications and got their co-ops. What better sample than the real thing (with identifying details blacked out, of course)?

'Twas the Night Before Meeting

Few things signal the holidays so much as Christmas carols and other songs of the season. As Christmas Eve falls upon us and we prepare to spend time at home and hearth with friends, family and maybe a wee dram of eggnog with a little something in it to ward off the chill, let us gather 'round with our fellows and sing these new carols made just for co-op and condo board members and homeowners. So go deck the halls ... just make sure you've gotten the renovation committee's OK first!

A New York State law that went into effect Dec. 3, requiring all residential leases to contain a notice about the building's sprinkler system, appears to mandate that even co-op proprietary leases must be amended to reflect the language change. The new law also impacts leases offered by condominium homeowners renting their apartments as well as subleases offered by rental tenants and by co-op shareholders.

Even though leaks can be pervasive and costly, savvy condo and co-op boards can get something for nothing. "It's a no-brainer," says Steve Greenbaum, director of property management for Mark Greenberg Real Estate. When MGRE managed Clinton Hill, a 1,200-unit, 12-building complex in Brooklyn, the co-op conducted a water survey. (Clinton Hill is currently managed by AKAM Associates.)

Greenbaum is talking about a long-running but not heavily promoted program simply called the Residential Water Survey. Sponsored by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), it began in 1991 when the state was looking for ways to conserve water and now exists as one of the best (if not the best) un-promoted programs that can save your property money.

The New Year is about new beginnings and making way for all the wonderful presents you got over the holiday. With the New Year, however, come new rules. So before you clean house and finally chuck away that huge dinosaur of a television set that hasn't worked for six months or that fax that's been collecting dust for five years, check out the new recycling rules for 2015.

Co-op and condo boards will have to break the news to all building residents. As of January 2015, it will be considered illegal to throw away the following items in the trash: televisions, monitors, computers, laptops, small servers, printers, scanners, fax machines, mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, MP3 players, VCRs/DVRs/DVD players, cable or satellite boxes, mice, keyboards, and video game consoles.

Here are some recycling options to share with building residents to ensure everyone is in compliance with the law.

A READER ASKS: My fellow board members and I are pretty sure the boiler isn't broken. In fact, we replaced it a few years ago. However, a handful of residents have complained that their apartments aren't getting warm enough. To be honest, I feel like my own apartment is too cold, especially given the fuel that's being consumed. It can't possibly be time to replace the boiler again, can it? We are having someone come look at it again, but do we need to brace for a massive expense again?