Know your budget
Start with what you can carry monthly, not just the purchase price. Taxes on Long Island vary widely between towns and can change the picture.
Buyer resources
Your guide to buying a house
Eight steps from the first budget conversation to keys in hand, written for Long Island buyers.
Get pre-approved
A written pre-approval tells you what you can borrow and tells sellers you are a real buyer. It is the difference between an offer and a wish.
Define your search
Commute, schools, lot size, condition. Rank them honestly. The list you write now is what keeps a Sunday of showings from turning into a blur.
Explore properties
See homes in person, in daylight and again in the evening. Walk the block. We will tell you what we notice, including the things a listing leaves out.
Make an offer
Price is one term. Closing date, contingencies and deposit all matter. We build the offer around what the seller actually wants.
Inspection and appraisal
An inspection is information, not a verdict. We review the report with you and decide what is worth raising and what is normal for the age of the house.
Finalize financing
Your lender will ask for documents again. Answer fast and avoid new credit: this is the stage where delays happen.
Closing
Final walkthrough, signatures, keys. We are at the table with you and stay reachable after you move in.
Get the buyer's guide
The same eight steps in a printable format, with room for your notes at each stage.