Buying a home in New York,
From pre-approval to keys in hand across Queens, Nassau County, and Brooklyn. You will always know what a home is worth, what it will cost you, and what happens next.
The three questions
You are not behind for asking any of these. Most buyers only learn the answers after they have already made an expensive decision.
What can I actually afford?
A pre-approval number is not a budget. We work backwards from the monthly payment you are comfortable with, then add taxes, insurance, and maintenance so the number holds up after you move in.
What will this really cost me?
Down payment is the headline. Closing costs, inspection, attorney, moving, and the first few months of repairs are what surprise people. You get the full picture in writing before you commit.
How do I win without overpaying?
Winning a home is rarely about the highest number. It is about terms, timing, and knowing what the seller actually needs. I build offers around that instead of hoping for the best.
What buying costs
Here is the honest breakdown most buyers do not see until the week of closing. Ranges are typical for the New York market and will shift with property type, price, and loan program.
- You get a written, line-by-line estimate for your specific purchase before you sign a contract.
Estimates only. Your lender and attorney provide binding figures. Not tax or legal advice.
From first conversation
Discovery call
Your goals, timeline, must-haves, and the neighborhoods worth your attention.
Lender and pre-approval
We confirm your real budget and get you credible on paper before we tour.
Targeted search
I filter the market down to homes that fit, and I tell you when one does not.
Showings and evaluation
Comps, condition, taxes, and resale outlook on every property you like.
Offer and negotiation
Price, contingencies, and timing built around what the seller actually needs.
Inspection to closing
Attorney, appraisal, walkthrough, and closing table. I manage the calendar.
Every step explained
I work with families in English and Arabic, from the first showing through the closing table. Contracts, inspections, negotiations, all of it explained in the language you actually think in.
في كل خطوة
Queens, Nassau, Brooklyn,
Hyper-local market data, micro-neighborhood pricing trends, and hands-on guidance through New York co-op board requirements and home transactions. Select your area below to connect on current market opportunities.
Get the guide.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, this guide covers what most people learn too late.
Get the Free Buyer’s Guide
Answered, in plain English.
How much do I need for a down payment in New York?
It depends on the loan. Conventional loans can start near 3 to 5 percent for qualified buyers, FHA around 3.5 percent, and VA loans can go to zero down for eligible service members. Co-ops are the exception: many New York co-op boards require 20 percent or more regardless of what your lender allows. I will tell you which requirement applies before you fall in love with a place.
What are closing costs for a buyer in New York?
Most New York buyers plan on roughly 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price, covering lender fees, appraisal, title insurance, attorney fees, and, on many purchases, the New York mortgage recording tax. New construction and condos can run higher because the buyer sometimes covers the sponsor’s transfer taxes. You get a written estimate before you sign anything.
Should I get pre-approved before I start looking?
Yes, and it costs nothing. A pre-approval tells you your real budget instead of a guess, and in a competitive market a seller will not take your offer seriously without one. It also surfaces credit or documentation issues early, while there is still time to fix them.
Do I pay you as a buyer?
Compensation is negotiable and has to be agreed in writing before I show you homes. In many transactions the seller still offers to cover part or all of the buyer agent’s fee, but that is not automatic anymore. I walk you through exactly how it works on your deal, in writing, before we start.
How long does it take to buy a home in New York?
From accepted offer to closing, most financed purchases in New York run about 45 to 75 days. Co-ops take longer because of board packages and interviews. The search itself is the part that varies most, and it depends far more on your criteria than on the market.
What is the difference between a co-op, a condo, and a house here?
With a co-op you buy shares in a corporation and need board approval, which usually means more cash and more paperwork but a lower price per square foot. A condo is real property, easier to finance and rent out, and priced accordingly. A single-family or two-family house gives you the most control and, in a two-family, rental income to offset the mortgage. Which one fits depends on your cash, your timeline, and whether you want a tenant.
Let's find the home
One honest conversation about your budget, your timeline, and what is realistic right now.