First time buyer, please help

and also, my agent wants me to sign a disclosure of "agency relationships"- it tells me that he's a DUAL AGENT. what is a dual agent? Thanks

Dual agency means he is representing both the seller and you, the buyer. The seller basically is the one paying his fee, so some might say there is a conflict of interest there

Is the seller represented by the agent? Possibly Keith Burkhardt could represent you as the buyer's agent (and you could get a rebate0

Sounds like dual agency may not be for you. Are you getting a particularly sweet deal?

"can anyone tell me how it is like to live by E.56st and 2nd ave?"

IMO it's a great neighborhood. Convenient to shopping, theater, movies, restaurants and everything midtown has to offer, yet very residential. 5 minutes and your out of Manhattan over the 59th Street Bridge. First Avenue has a real neighborhood feel with old time mom and pop stores like hardware, butcher, fish & cheese stores. Whole Foods recently opened on 57th and 2nd. For chains you have Bed Bath and Beyond, TJMaxx, The Container Store and Home Depot. Also Saks and Bloomingdales within a short walk.

I'm not aware of any substanital co-op or condo on 56th and 2nd, the old high school is in the process of being torn down to be replaced by a 60 story mixed use building with lots of additional retail on the way.

If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer.

Good Luck.

Thanks ya'll for the replies.
Dual agent- I just read something about it. It says if I decided to go with a dual agent, I am basically give up two things- undivided loyalty and full disclosure, and there are a lot of questions I have and cannot ask him nor he's allowed to answer. How is this agent is going to on my side if he's going to make more money from me? of course he's going to be on the seller's side!How can i find an agent that is going to be working for the best interest of ME?

RealEstateNY- Thank you for your detailed description of the neighborhood!

Lawyers: I was happy with Katz&Matz. They charge a flat fee of 2300$, but only if the deal goes through. If for any reason you end up not buying the place, they will not charge you anything. They only do real estate.

I second Keith Burkhardt to help you. He will represent you and will be able to give you some pros and cons about the area and your apartment prior to you making an offer. He will help you with the negotiations and will be more objective than the seller's broker whose first loyalty is to the seller and you second.

pyxis, could you contact me- i have a question - crescent222 around gmail.com

Yep, Keith B would be ideal for you, you sound a tad green.

Here's a question, relevant here perhaps - if you sign dual agency form, are you allowed to change later and bring in your own buyer's broker?