Buyer Representation · New York City
Find the right property. At the right price.
Schedule a complimentary buyer consultation. We will walk you through the New York purchase process, identify properties that fit your criteria, and represent your interests exclusively — from first showing through closing.
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Schedule a buyer consultation
The Buying Process
From consultation to closing.
01
Buyer Consultation
We review your requirements, budget, preferred neighborhoods, and timeline. We explain the purchase process in full and answer your questions — no cost, no obligation.
02
Pre-Approval & Search
We confirm your financing status, set up targeted property searches, and begin identifying properties across MLS and off-market sources that match your criteria.
03
Showings & Analysis
We schedule and attend showings with you, provide comparative market data on properties of interest, and advise on value before you make any decisions.
04
Offer & Negotiation
We prepare and submit your offer with a competitive strategy, negotiate price and terms, and manage counteroffers to protect your position and close the gap.
05
Contract to Close
We coordinate with your attorney, manage board package preparation where required, track all deadlines, and keep the transaction moving from signed contract through the closing table.
Buyer FAQ
Questions buyers ask us.
As of August 2024, buyer broker compensation is no longer included in the MLS listing and must be negotiated separately. In practice, many sellers in New York still offer to cover the buyer's broker fee as part of the transaction, but it is no longer automatic. We discuss compensation structure clearly at the outset so there are no surprises. Our representation provides full market access, offer strategy, negotiation, and transaction management — the value is in the outcome, not the paperwork.
A co-op (cooperative) means you are purchasing shares in a corporation that owns the building, not real property itself. Co-ops typically have lower purchase prices but require board approval, impose income and asset requirements, restrict subletting, and prohibit most financing structures. A condo conveys title to real property — you own your unit and a percentage of common areas. Condos are generally more flexible on financing, subletting, and resale, and close faster than co-ops. We assess which structure fits your situation before you make an offer.
A condo transaction typically closes 45 to 60 days after an accepted offer, assuming financing is in order. A co-op transaction takes longer — 90 days or more — due to the board package preparation, board review, and approval process. New construction and sponsor units follow their own timelines. We give you a realistic closing estimate based on the specific property type and your financing situation at the time of offer.
The New York mansion tax is a buyer-paid transfer tax that applies to residential purchases of $1 million or more. The base rate is 1% on purchases between $1 million and $1,999,999. It escalates in tiers, reaching 3.9% on purchases of $25 million or more. Unlike the seller-paid transfer taxes, this is a buyer closing cost and must be factored into your budget alongside mortgage recording tax, attorney fees, and applicable move-in fees.
Yes — and in New York's market, pre-approval is a prerequisite before any serious offer. Sellers will not consider an offer without one, and co-op boards require financial documentation as part of the board package regardless. We recommend obtaining full underwriting pre-approval, not just a pre-qualification letter, before you begin active search. We can refer you to lenders experienced in New York co-op and condo transactions.
Our buyer representation covers property sourcing across all MLS and off-market inventory, comparative analysis before any offer, offer strategy and negotiation, contract review coordination with your attorney, co-op board package preparation where applicable, and transaction management from accepted offer through closing. You have direct access to your agent throughout — not a team relay. We represent your interests only, not the seller's.
Fair Housing & Agency Disclosure
Radcliffe is an equal housing opportunity brokerage. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected class in the purchase or sale of any property. In accordance with New York State law, an agency disclosure form will be provided to all parties at or prior to the first substantive contact with a Radcliffe agent.