Free Long Island buyer roadmap
Are you looking to buy a home?
Get the 8 steps to buying a home, from pre-approval to keys in hand, explained in plain English. Answer four quick questions and the full roadmap is yours.
- What to do first, and what can wait
- How offers, inspections and attorneys work in New York
- What to expect on closing day
Get your free roadmap
Jack Cutrone| Licensed Real Estate Salesperson| Patriot Real Properties| Serving Nassau & Suffolk Counties| MRP · PSA
Question 1 of 4
You're all set, friend.
Your full roadmap is unlocked below. Jack will reach out personally to answer questions about your search.
Read the 8 steps Call Jack now: 631-926-9592The buyer roadmap
The 8 steps to buying a home
Here's the path at a glance. Complete the four quick questions above to unlock the details for every step.
-
01
Set your budget and get pre-approved
Before you look at a single listing, talk to a lender. A pre-approval tells you what you can comfortably borrow, and sellers take your offer more seriously when you have one. Bring recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, and bank statements. Plan for your down payment plus closing costs, which in New York often include attorney fees, title insurance and lender charges.
-
02
Choose your buyer's agent
Your agent represents you, not the seller. You'll sign a written buyer agreement before touring homes, which spells out how your agent is paid and what they'll do for you. A local agent knows the neighborhoods, school districts, taxes and which listings are priced right.
-
03
Search and tour homes
Make a short list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, then tour in person. Pay attention to property taxes, commute, flood zone status and the age of the roof, boiler and septic or sewer hookup. Your agent can set up instant alerts so you see new listings first.
-
04
Make an offer
Your agent will pull recent comparable sales so your offer is grounded in real numbers. A strong offer is about more than price: your pre-approval, down payment, flexibility on the closing date and a clean set of terms all matter. In New York, an accepted offer isn't binding until the contract is signed.
-
05
Get a home inspection
Once your offer is accepted, hire a licensed home inspector right away. On Long Island this usually happens before the contract is signed. Ask about termites, radon, the oil tank if there is one, and the septic system. If issues come up, your agent can negotiate repairs or a credit.
-
06
Attorney review and contract signing
New York buyers typically hire a real estate attorney. The seller's attorney drafts the contract, and yours reviews it and negotiates the terms. When you sign, you'll put down a good-faith deposit that is held in escrow until closing.
-
07
Appraisal, mortgage commitment and title
Your lender orders an appraisal and finishes underwriting, then issues a mortgage commitment. Meanwhile, a title company checks that the property has no liens or ownership problems. Avoid new credit cards, car loans or job changes during this stretch, and line up homeowners insurance.
-
08
Final walk-through and closing day
A day or so before closing, you'll walk through the home to make sure it's in the agreed condition. At closing you'll sign the final paperwork, the funds are wired, and the keys are yours. Congratulations, you're a homeowner.
Want the details for every step?
Unlock the full roadmap
Your guide
Buying a home is a big step. You don't have to figure it out alone.
I'm Jack Cutrone with Patriot Real Properties. I'll walk you through every step on this page, from your first lender call to the day you get your keys, and I'll tell you straight what to expect along the way.
Jack Cutrone
Patriot Real Properties
631-926-9592
[email protected]
791 Middle Country Road, Selden, NY 11784
NY Real Estate Salesperson License #10401391440
Get the free roadmap