New York Guides
General Resources
These guides work no matter where you live:
Articles for New York
How to Stack SONYMA, DPAL, and HomeFirst: New York's Down Payment Assistance Programs Explained
New York offers up to $190,000 in stackable down payment assistance. Here's how SONYMA, DPAL, HomeFirst, AHC, and LIHP interact — and how to claim eve…
New York First-Time Home Buyer Guide vs. Hiring a Real Estate Attorney: Which Do You Need First?
New York requires attorneys for every home purchase — but a guide and an attorney serve different purposes. Here's what each does and when you need bo…
How to Buy a Home Upstate New York: Attorney Approval Clauses, Septic Systems, and What NYC Buyers Miss
Upstate NY home buying is radically different from NYC. Attorney approval clauses can void signed contracts in 3 days. Septic failures cost $14,000–$2…
Best First-Time Home Buyer Guide for Westchester and Long Island: Escrow Shock, Property Taxes, and the Suburban Cost Gap
Westchester and Long Island property taxes run $15,000–$20,000/year. At closing, lenders require six months prepaid into escrow — adding $7,500–$10,00…
How to Check if a NYC Apartment Is Rent-Stabilized Before Buying
Step-by-step process to verify rent stabilization status using DHCR, HPD, and PLUTO records before you sign a contract on a NYC investment property.
Best First-Time Home Buyer Guide for NYC Co-op Buyers: Board Approval, Liquidity, and the Co-op vs. Condo Decision
NYC co-op boards can reject you without explanation after months of waiting. The best guide for first-time co-op buyers covers liquidity, DTI, board p…
Property Condition Disclosure Statement New York: What the 2024 Law Changed
What New York's Property Condition Disclosure Statement requires of sellers, how the 2024 law eliminated the $500 opt-out, and what buyers should know…
Best New York Investment Property Guide for Out-of-State Investors
Out-of-state investors face unique risks in New York — Good Cause Eviction, MRT, rent stabilization traps. Here's what to look for in a comprehensive …
First-Time Home Buyer New York: The Complete State Guide
How to buy your first home in New York State — from SONYMA programs to co-op boards, attorney requirements, and upstate vs. NYC differences.
What Is a Co-op Apartment? NYC Co-op vs. Condo Explained
Co-ops make up 70% of NYC's for-sale apartments, but they work completely differently from condos. Here's what first-time buyers need to understand be…