Luxury Home Advice - New York Luxury Homes
Binders are not Accepted in New York City
One real estate rule to remember when purchasing a luxury home in New York City is that binders are not accepted. A binder gives the buyer the right to buy a piece of property at certain terms for an agreed upon time, which is usually limited. There is usually no exchange of funds. In New York, the full down payment must be received by the seller, or their attorney, in order to secure the home. For most New York condominiums, a down payment of 10 percent is required. However, it is important to note that if others are bidding on the home, the person with the highest down payment will probably win the bidding war.
Working with a real estate agent can really put you at an advantage in this situation. Set your maximum and allow your agent to bid for you. This way, you don't have to spend most of your day going back and forth with the sellers or their agent.
Choose a Neighborhood to Match Your Lifestyle
Most people looking for luxury home in New York start by choosing their neighborhood. Like homes, New York City neighborhoods are unique in their own way and all are different from all the others.
When looking for a luxury home, start by choosing a neighborhood to match your lifestyle. For example, if you have children, several neighborhoods in the Brooklyn or Manhattan boroughs have great schools and a number of family friendly activities. If you are very involved in the art and theatre scene, living close to the theatre district in Midtown is probably best. Look at the caliber of homes around the neighborhood, the kinds of activities, shops, and more in the area around your home. Luxury homes can be found in almost any neighborhood in New York City, so choosing your neighborhood carefully; your home will follow.
Research New York City Luxury Homes Online
In a state as large as New York, and a town as large as New York City, it is impossible to see every piece of real estate that interests you during the buying process. However, how else will you know exactly what you want in a home and how to find it? It's important to get as much information on luxury homes as possible to get a good idea of what you are looking for – so get online!
Besides basic real estate searches, sites like eleganthomes.com can give you information about luxury home amenities and decorating ideas so that you have a good idea of what to look for in your luxury home. What kind of flooring is usually found in luxury homes? What caliber of building materials are used? How do you know which kind of high-end appliances to purchase? Going online can be an easy and efficient way to look at luxury homes ideas and answer these questions before purchasing a luxury home.
Find an Agent Who Specializes in New York Luxury Real Estate
Navigating through the real estate market in New York City is complicated and difficult. If you are not familiar with the city or the real estate market in general, hire a real estate agent to assist you in finding your luxury home.
Be specific about your needs, price range, desired location, and amenities. Ask about neighborhoods and how the five boroughs differ in price and demographics. For example, is Brooklyn similar to Manhattan? How far out of the city is Long Island? What parts of Queens are family friendly areas? Do prices differ around parts of the Bronx? How many buildings are being renovated around neighborhoods in the Staten Island area?
Do not settle for any home you either do not like or are not sure you like. Walk around each potential property and take your time looking over the space. Amenities are important, particularly when choosing a luxury home, so find a realtor who specializes in luxury real estate and will understand your needs.
Get Pre-Qualified Before Shopping in New York Luxury Real Estate
The New York luxury real estate market is always hot and always competitive. Before you even begin looking for a luxury home, consult with your financial advisor or lender and make sure you are able to get pre-qualified for a home in your desired price range.
This is an important step because once you find a home you want to make an offer on, it makes all the difference to the seller if you are already pre-qualified.
You stand an even better chance of having your offer accepted if you are already pre-approved for your mortgage, so be sure you are ahead of the game financially before you seriously shop around in the New York luxury real estate market.
Make Sure Offer is Filed in New York
Some New Yorkers already own luxury real estate in the city but are looking to invest in a vacation home outside of the city – or even the state. If you are one of those people, make sure your offering plan is filed in New York, even if the development is in another state.
According to New York state law, if any business is transacted in New York, the offers must be registered in the state. Keep this law in mind whenever you made your next vacation home transaction. If you are unclear about any aspect of the transaction, consult with a real estate agent or attorney to be sure you are proceeding correctly.
Renovated Versus New Luxury Property: What's Better?
New York City is full of apartment buildings, new and old. There are pros and cons to living in each, and it usually comes down to a matter of preference.
Newer apartment buildings have more built-in amenities and are usually easier to alter to fit your personality if you buy during the pre-construction phase. Renovated luxury buildings also have newer amenities, but there is often less room for major changes. Prices for both usually run neck and neck in the city, depending on the location, but renovated buildings in trendy parts of New York City are more easily found than brand new apartment buildings.
The best way to find exactly what you are looking for is work with an agent who specializes in both. The agent can tell you the exact difference between the renovated and new apartment building and work with you to determine which will likely suit your needs.