
In a recent ruling by the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, the court agreed with Kings County Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Knipel’s decision, upholding the denial of a motion to vacate a foreclosure sale and return a down payment.
The case, White Oak Projects v. Upreal Washington, saw 658 Washington 123, LLC, a nonparty to the original foreclosure action, appealing an order by the trial court. The trial court’s decision on May 4, 2021, denied 658 Washington 123, LLC’s motion to vacate a foreclosure sale and to reclaim a down payment it had made. The appellate court upheld this decision.
The core issue on appeal was whether the foreclosure sale’s terms, particularly regarding the payment of certain emergency repair charges, were proper. The appellant argued that these charges should have been covered by the sale’s proceeds as per the initial judgment of foreclosure and sale, which mandated that proceeds pay for priority liens like taxes, assessments, and city agency charges.
The Appellate Division, in affirming the trial court’s decision, stated that a referee conducting a foreclosure sale does not have the authority to alter the terms of a foreclosure judgment. Since the emergency repair charges were not considered liens against the property at the time of sale, the referee could not allocate sale proceeds for their payment.












SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.

ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.