buying on Long Island
Buying a home here, step by step.
What actually happens between “we should start looking” and getting the keys, plus the Long Island stuff that catches people off guard.
How it usually goes
Six steps, in the order they tend to happen.
STEP 1
Get pre-approved
A lender looks at your income, savings, and credit and tells you what you can borrow. Sellers expect to see the letter with your offer.
STEP 2
Set your real budget
Add closing costs, the attorney, the inspection, and moving to the down payment. Then look at taxes, which change a lot by town and school district.
STEP 3
Tour and narrow it down
Look past the kitchen. Ask about the tax bill, the cesspool or septic system, and whether the house is in a flood zone.
STEP 4
Make an offer
We’ll pick a number based on what similar homes nearby actually sold for, not just what they were listed at.
STEP 5
Inspection and contract
Inspect before you sign. The attorneys work out the contract, and it’s only binding once both sides sign it.
STEP 6
Mortgage, title, closing
Your lender finalizes the loan, a title company checks the property’s history, and you do a final walk-through before you get the keys.
Questions buyers ask me
Tap one to open it. If yours isn’t here, text me.
Do I need a real estate attorney?
On Long Island, that’s the norm. Buyers and sellers each usually have their own attorney, and the attorneys handle the contract.
Is my offer binding once it’s accepted?
No. In New York, it isn’t binding until both sides sign the contract. Until then, either side can still walk away.
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan. Some programs let you put down a few percent and others ask for more. A lender can tell you what you qualify for, so it’s worth talking to one before you start touring.
What’s the mansion tax?
In New York, buyers pay a 1% tax when the price is $1 million or more. If you’re shopping near that number, build it into your budget.
Cesspool, septic, sewer: what should I ask?
Most of Suffolk isn’t on a sewer, so a lot of homes have a cesspool or septic system. Ask which one the house has, how old it is, and when it was last pumped.
Want someone in your corner?
I work with buyers anywhere in Nassau and Suffolk. Text me where you’re looking and what you’re hoping to find.
