In the New York City real estate market, which is one of the most complex and challenging to navigate, a buyer’s agent is a must-have when purchasing a home. They’ll guide you through the whole process, from accompanying you on home tours to evaluating properties with an expert eye, advising you on bid amounts, and handling negotiations and closing conversations — they may even be able to save you some money in the process. Additionally, they’ll help you understand local market trends, the different types of housing in NYC, and their sometimes confusing financing requirements. Agents also provide you with ongoing support during what can be a stressful and confusing process.

You can find an agent through StreetEasy — reach out to our complimentary Concierge to get matched with a StreetEasy Expert buyer’s agent who can help. But what can you expect when you get to the first conversation with a buyer’s agent in NYC? Here’s some information and tips for making sure your initial chat with an agent is seamless and productive, and for evaluating if they’re the right fit for you.

Manhattan Homes Under $1.5M on StreetEasy Article continues below

Hell’s Kitchen

340 West 57th Street

$560,000

Studio |

1

Murray Hill

630 First Avenue

$900,000

1 |

1

Lenox Hill

425 East 63rd Street

$1,395,000

2 |

2

Gramercy Park

201 East 21st Street

$700,000

1 |

1

Hamilton Heights

345 West 145th Street

$410,000

1 |

1

Carnegie Hill

56 East 87th Street

$1,220,000

2 |

2

Yorkville

400 East 85th Street

$699,000

1 |

1

Upper East Side

150 East 83rd Street

$425,000

1 |

1

Washington Heights

834 Riverside Drive

$435,000

1 |

1

Lenox Hill

1420 York Avenue

$445,000

Studio |

1

Turtle Bay

321 East 48th Street

$1,395,000

2 |

2

Gramercy Park

1 Irving Place

$1,350,000

1 |

1

Start by explaining your needs

When you first speak with an agent you might want to work with, there are some things you should go over right away. Talk to them about your move and your needs in a home, such as:

• Why you’re looking for a new home
• Your timeline for moving
• Your budget
• Neighborhoods you prefer to live in
• Ideal home size and type
• Desired features and amenities (e.g. outdoor space, doorman, elevator)
• Other wants or needs, such as nearby transportation or being in a particular school district

Talking through these things also allows you to get a sense of the agent. Do they seem well-informed about different neighborhoods and what will be available in your price range? Are they understanding of your needs? Do they listen to your questions and answer them in a way that makes sense to you?

Discuss their experience and ways of working

An experienced buyer’s agent is crucial, but the type of experience they have and how much it fits your needs also matters. In the first conversation, ask them about their expertise — for instance, do they help a lot of buyers purchase co-ops? — or how many clients they’ve worked with in the same neighborhood or building.

TIP: If you’re considering working with a StreetEasy Expert buyer’s agent, you can assess their experience by looking at their deal history. Just search the agent’s name on the StreetEasy site to find their agent profile, then go to the profile and navigate to the PAST DEALS tab. From there, under the WORKED WITH BUYER tab, you’ll see a list of homes they’ve helped other buyers purchase.

You’ll also want to get a sense of their working style, like how they prefer to communicate (call, text, email, etc.), how quickly they respond to messages, and what their hours are. You may want to know whether they work solo or as part of a team, and who else on the team you may be working with. Make sure all of this matches your needs and how you prefer to work together.

Be ready to talk about your budget

Your agent will have to find housing options available in your price range, so it’s important to be as clear as possible about what you can afford. In fact, it can be helpful to have already had a conversation with a loan officer before meeting with a buyer’s agent. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can be particularly useful — many agents like it because it’ll allow you to move quickly when you find a home you like.

Brooklyn Homes Under $1.5M on StreetEasy Article continues below

Homecrest

2140 Knapp Street

$239,000

Studio |

2.5

Marine Park

4209 Quentin Road

$679,000

2 |

1

Borough Park

1238 63rd Street

$599,000

1 |

1

Borough Park

1238 63rd Street

$530,000

1 |

1

Bay Ridge

552 Ovington Avenue

$1,099,995

14 |

14.5

Old Mill Basin

2465 Flatbush Avenue

$165,000

2 |

1

Brighton Beach

3022 Brighton 1st Street

$925,000

4 |

3.5

Fort Hamilton

351 Marine Avenue

$285,000

1 |

1

Bay Ridge

464 73rd Street

$1,350,000

5 |

3

Sheepshead Bay

3144 Emmons Avenue

$1,099,000

3 |

2

Sheepshead Bay

3144 Emmons Avenue

$999,000

2 |

2

Fort Greene

1 Hanson Place

$850,000

1 |

1

Signing agreements

In your first conversation with a buyer’s agent, they may mention a touring agreement and ask you to sign one before looking at homes together. Typically, this short-term agreement sets terms between you and an agent before touring homes together, such as the services they’ll provide at this stage, exclusivity, and any required fees. StreetEasy’s Touring Agreement, for example, is non-exclusive, does not require a fee, and expires after seven days. This allows you to tour homes with an agent without making an exclusive, longer-term commitment to working together.

Another document you’ll likely receive early on is the New York State Disclosure Form for Buyer and Seller. This is not a contract, but rather an informational document that outlines the nature of the relationship between buyer and agent, as well as defining some real estate terminology you may encounter. There’s also the New York State Housing and Anti-Discrimination Disclosure Form, which outlines your rights and protections as a buyer.

When you know you’ve found an agent you want to work with longer term, you’ll sign a buyer’s representation agreement. It’s possible during the first conversation to be presented with such an agreement, which typically addresses the services the agent will provide, exclusivity, and their compensation and payment terms. However, you should only sign one after you’ve taken the time to get to know the agent and determine if you’d like to formally work together. If you’re not yet comfortable signing a buyer’s representation agreement, be sure to communicate this to the agent and see if you can sign a short-term touring agreement instead.

Learn more about what you can expect to sign as an NYC home buyer.

Queens Homes Under $1M on StreetEasy Article continues below

Astoria

31-19 29th Street

$660,000

1 |

1

Astoria

31-19 29th Street

$570,000

Studio |

1

Forest Hills

68-20 Burns Street

$595,000

3 |

1

North Corona

108-20 34th Avenue

$999,000

4 |

2

Springfield Gardens

189-16 Williamson Avenue

$875,000

4 |

2.5

Astoria

25-40 Shore Boulevard

$725,000

1 |

1

Briarwood

139-09 84 Drive

$158,000

Studio |

1

Kew Gardens Hills

144-14 Melbourne Avenue

$830,000

4 |

2.5

Clearview

157-60 17 Road

$348,000

2 |

1

Kew Gardens

83-64 Talbot Street

$225,000

1 |

1

St. Albans

115-16 198th Street

$559,000

3 |

2

Glendale

90-50 Union Turnpike

$439,999

2 |

1

What’s next?

Your buyer’s agent can help you understand your criteria and narrow down your listing selections, then head out and see the properties with you. Together you’ll tour homes, attend open houses, and explore neighborhoods. Once you’ve found a home you love, your agent will help you come up with a strategic bid. They’ll be able to tell you what price allows you to be competitive without overpaying, and they’ll negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible deal. They can also negotiate with the seller on things like closing costs, timeline, and financing. What’s more, a skilled agent can uncover tax abatements and concessions that might save you money.

Have more questions? Visit our resource hub

For more information on working with a buyer’s agent and what to expect throughout the home-buying process, visit Working with a Buyer’s Agent: Resource Hub for Buyers.

StreetEasy 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 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.