For buyers

Buying a home, without the panic

Whether it's your first home or your fourth, the process should feel guided — not like a series of deadlines happening to you. Here's how we'll do it, start to finish.

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The process, step by step

  1. Talk it through

    A relaxed 15-minute call: what you’re looking for, your timeline, your budget comfort zone. No commitment — just clarity on where you stand.

  2. Get pre-approved

    Before we tour anything, a lender letter tells us your real range and makes your offers credible. I can connect you with local lenders who actually pick up the phone.

  3. Tour with intention

    We see homes that fit — not everything on the market. At each one I’ll point out what the listing photos hide, good and bad.

  4. Offer & negotiate

    I build your offer on comps, not vibes, and negotiate price, terms, and timing on your behalf. You decide; I advocate.

  5. Inspect & close

    Inspection, attorney review, appraisal, walkthrough, keys. I track every deadline so nothing slips — NY closings have a lot of moving parts.

Financing, in plain English

You don't need to become a mortgage expert — you need the four ideas that actually affect your decision. (For specifics, talk to a licensed lender; I'm happy to introduce you.)

Pre-qualification vs. pre-approval
Pre-qualification is an estimate from a quick conversation. Pre-approval means a lender verified your finances — it’s the one sellers take seriously.
Down payment
Twenty percent avoids mortgage insurance, but it’s not the entry fee. Conventional loans can go as low as 3% down, FHA 3.5% — and NY has first-time buyer assistance programs worth asking about.
Closing costs
Plan for roughly 2–5% of the purchase price on top of your down payment: attorney fees, title insurance, taxes, and lender fees. I’ll walk you through the estimate line by line.
Rate vs. price
You marry the house, you date the rate. A good price on the right home usually beats waiting for a perfect rate that may never come — and refinancing later is always an option.

What I actually do for you

Common questions

How much does it cost to work with a buyer’s agent?

We’ll discuss compensation clearly and in writing before we start working together, so there are no surprises. In many transactions the seller offers compensation to the buyer’s agent — every situation is different, and I’ll explain exactly how it works for yours.

I’m a first-time buyer and the process feels overwhelming. Is that normal?

Completely. My job is to break it into one decision at a time, explain everything in plain English, and never rush you. Most of my buyers tell me the process felt far more manageable than they expected.

How long does buying a home in NY take?

From accepted offer to closing, typically 60–90 days in New York because attorney review and bank processing take time. The search itself can take weeks or months — it depends on the market and how specific your needs are.

Do I need 20% down?

No. Many buyers put down far less — conventional loans start around 3% down and FHA at 3.5%. Less than 20% usually means mortgage insurance, which we’ll factor into your monthly budget honestly.

Should I wait for prices or rates to drop?

Nobody can time the market — not even the people on TV. The better question is whether buying now fits your life and your budget. I’ll give you the current data for the neighborhoods you care about, and you decide.

Ready when you are

Start with a free, no-pressure consult. We'll map out your budget, your timeline, and your first three steps — even if "buy a house" is still a someday idea.

Book a buyer consult

Or just email rperez@exitrealtycentral.com — I reply within one business day.