So you want to buy a home in New York City. First, you’d be wise to work with a buyer’s agent to help you with the purchase. But in NYC’s one-of-a-kind market, buying a home calls for not just a high level of expertise, but expertise that matches your specific needs. For instance: the neighborhoods you’re interested in, whether you’re buying a condo, co-op, or townhouse, and your budget.
Enter StreetEasy® Experts, our network of real estate agents helping New Yorkers like you buy a home with confidence. StreetEasy can connect you to an Expert who is the best match for your needs, perhaps with experience in your desired property type, price point, neighborhood, or even the exact building.
Here’s why you should work with a buyer’s agent to purchase your next NYC home — and 10 reasons you should work with a StreetEasy Expert buyer’s agent in particular.
First Things First: Why Work With a Buyer’s Agent?
In 2023, 88% of buyers nationwide used a buyer’s agent to shop for, search for, or purchase a home, according to research by Zillow. We’ve also written about the many reasons you should use a buyer’s agent when purchasing a home. In short, a buyer’s agent has the important role of representing you and your best interests throughout the buying process. They should also represent only you and have experience in the neighborhoods, price points, and types of homes you’re looking for.
A buyer’s agent can assist with:
- Guiding you through the entire buying process
- Narrowing down your search
- Accompanying you to open houses and home tours
- Understanding the latest market data and trends
- Coming up with a competitive bid
- Negotiating on your behalf for the best possible deal
- Optimizing your chances of being approved by the co-op board
- Recommending a mortgage lender, real estate attorney, inspector, appraiser, etc.
You can learn more about the benefits of using a buyer’s agent in this episode of our YouTube series, StreetEasy Home School:
Why Work With a StreetEasy Expert Buyer’s Agent?
There are many reasons to work with not just any buyer’s agent, but a buyer’s agent who is also a StreetEasy Expert. Here are 10 reasons an Expert is a great choice.
1. They may have verified, relevant experience
An Expert buyer’s agent often has a history of successful deals in which they represented the buyer. Furthermore, they may have experience helping buyers purchase a home in the very building, neighborhood, or type of home (co-op, condo, townhouse, etc.) you’ve shown interest in.
Want to see an Expert’s deal history? Search their name on the StreetEasy site to find their agent profile. Go to the profile and navigate to the PAST DEALS tab, then to the WORKED WITH BUYER tab where you’ll see a list of homes they’ve helped other buyers purchase.
You can also go to the ABOUT tab and scroll to the Recent deals section, where you can filter their deals by neighborhood and home type.
2. They may have expertise in your desired neighborhood
New York City has more than 250 neighborhoods, and each neighborhood is like its own sub-market. You want a buyer’s agent who doesn’t just know NYC, but knows it down to the neighborhood. When you work with an Expert, you may be matched with an agent who’s done deals in your neighborhood of interest and knows it inside and out.
The next time you’re browsing listings on the StreetEasy site, look for the above banner to connect with an Expert who’s experienced in the neighborhood you’re searching. Or, you can contact the StreetEasy Concierge for buyers to be matched with the right Expert for your home search.
3. They may have done deals in the building you’re interested in
Experts may have relevant experience in not only the neighborhood you’re interested in, but the building too. They can provide insider knowledge on getting approved by the co-op board (more on this next), coming up with a winning bid, other buyers’ experiences purchasing and living in the building, and more.
On a StreetEasy listing page, click SCHEDULE A SHOWING or ASK A QUESTION. You’ll see a form to contact an Expert, and it will indicate if the Expert has done deals in the building. Or, reach out to the StreetEasy Concierge for buyers to be matched with an Expert who has experience in the building.
4. They may specialize in your desired type of home (co-op, condo, townhouse, etc.)
No two properties in NYC are the same, but most fall into a few different categories. Some Experts have particular experience in one or more of these categories — such as co-ops, condos, or townhouses — and you can connect with an Expert who specializes in the one you’re seeking. Because the buying process for each type of home is unique, it helps to have an agent with specialized knowledge and experience.
5. They can help you with your co-op application
When buying a co-op, knowing the building also means knowing the co-op board. Drawing from their experience, an Expert with deal history in the building can help optimize your chances of being approved by the co-op board. They’ll guide you through getting your financials in order, preparing for the interview, putting together a board package, etc. Co-op boards can be a black box, so it’s a huge advantage as a buyer to have an agent who’s worked with the board before.
6. They’re tech-savvy agents
Experts are usually tech-savvy, thanks to StreetEasy’s ever-expanding suite of tools and resources that keep them on top of their game. They’re backed by a team of Business Advisors, who work for StreetEasy and provide support to ensure Experts are providing you with top-notch service. Other resources include the Agent Tools mobile app, which allows Experts to quickly respond to your messages on the go.
These tools and resources enable Experts to provide best-in-class service, knowledge, and expertise to the benefit of you, the buyer.
7. We measure their performance to ensure you get top-notch service
Experts must meet our standards of service and market expertise, and we measure their performance to ensure you get top-notch service. The more buyers they successfully represent in purchasing a home, the more they’re rewarded with opportunities to connect with additional buyers. And with our Business Advisors providing Experts with ongoing support, you can be confident you’re working with the best.
8. You’ll be matched with the right Expert for your needs
Using our expansive database, StreetEasy will match you with not just any Expert, but one whose skill set is the best match for your wants and needs in a home. If you’re unsatisfied with the Expert you’ve been matched with, there’s no obligation to work with them, and StreetEasy will re-match* you with another Expert. Moreover, Experts cannot pay to be shown to you on the StreetEasy site — the agent you see is who we believe is the best option for you.
*Re-matching is not available once an exclusive agreement is executed, for the duration of the agreement.
9. Beyond any agreed-upon commissions or costs, there’s no extra cost to work with an Expert
As with any buyer’s agent, Experts earn a commission for successful transactions, which is typically paid to them at closing. There is no additional cost to the buyer for working with a StreetEasy Expert, beyond any commissions or costs agreed upon by the buyer, seller, and their respective agents.
10. They can help you sell a home, too
Many buyers need to sell their current home while purchasing a new one. Experts may also have selling experience, and can act as your buyer’s agent while helping you sell your home. Or, StreetEasy can match you with another Expert who meets your selling needs. Even if you don’t need to sell a home right now, your Expert can assist you months or years down the line when you need a listing agent. For more information on selling with StreetEasy, visit the Sell Your Home page or contact the StreetEasy Concierge for sellers.
How to Find a StreetEasy Expert Buyer’s Agent
In addition to the contact methods shown in the previous sections, the best way to find an Expert to help you buy a home is by contacting the StreetEasy Concierge for buyers. Simply send a message to our Concierge about you and your home search, and they’ll match you with an Expert whose experience is most relevant to your wants and needs.
You can also watch our StreetEasy Home School episode on How to Find a Real Estate Agent in NYC to learn more about the different types of agents, how to find one, and how to ensure they’re the right fit for you.
Buy with a StreetEasy Expert
GET MATCHEDStreetEasy is an assumed name of Zillow, Inc. which has a real estate brokerage license in all 50 states and D.C. See real estate licenses. StreetEasy Concierge team members are real estate licensees, however they are not your agents or providing real estate brokerage services on your behalf. StreetEasy does not intend to interfere with any agency agreement you may have with a real estate professional or solicit your business if you are already under contract to purchase or sell property. StreetEasy Experts are third-party real estate agents (licensees/professionals, etc.) who are not licensed with Zillow, Inc.
