We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: buying a home in New York City is unlike buying a home anywhere else. The city’s unique home types, financial considerations, and complex application processes can feel completely overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. But here’s the (not so secret) secret: working with an experienced buyer’s agent can make the NYC home-buying process much smoother and more manageable, as these buyer success stories illustrate.

How does working with a buyer’s agent change the game? We spoke with three first-time New York City homebuyers — and the StreetEasy Expert real estate agents they worked with — to learn more about their buying journey and how their agent helped them get home.

Note: Check back here throughout October as we add additional episodes of this video series below.

Episode 1: Charm Off the Charts

Buyers: Gabe & Joe

Agent: Luke Hoback, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at The Agency, StreetEasy Expert and Agent Advisory Board Member

Episode 2: Take Care of My Baby

Buyer: Samantha

Agent: Darryl Williams, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at SERHANT. and StreetEasy Expert

Episode 3: That Aha Moment

Buyer: John

Agent: Leslie J.W. Singer, Licensed Real Estate Broker at Brown Harris Stevens and StreetEasy Expert