Buy a Rochester-area home with a plan
Finding a house is one part of buying a home. Understanding the costs, the condition, the offer terms and the next steps is what helps you make the right decision.
How buying with me works, in 6 steps
Talk about how you want to live
Budget, timing, the kind of home and the kind of area. We start with what you want your days to look like, not a list of listings.
Get your financing lined up
A lender preapproval tells you what you can borrow. We’ll talk about what you’re comfortable paying, which is often a different number.
Put our agreement in writing
Before we tour homes, you’ll get New York’s agency disclosure and a written buyer agreement that spells out what I do for you and how I’m paid. Ask me anything about it. It’s negotiable.
Search smarter, including off-market
We watch the market for you, and when the right home isn’t listed we can go find it. See how we found an off-market Pittsford pool home.
Make an offer you understand
Price matters. So do contingencies, deposits, timing, financing and what happens if something changes. We’ll weigh the tradeoffs so you choose your terms with your eyes open.
Inspect, close and move in
We coordinate with your lender, attorney and inspectors so the last 30 to 45 days run on schedule.
What a home really costs you
Taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs and financing can change how a home fits your budget. Before you commit, we’ll run the real monthly number.
- Principal and interest at your actual rate
- Full property taxes as the new owner, not the seller’s bill
- Homeowners insurance, plus flood insurance near water
- Age and condition of the roof, heating, electrical and sewer line
- Closing costs and cash to close
Relocating to Rochester
We can plan remotely: video tours, neighborhood walk-throughs, and the local lender, attorney and inspectors you’ll need. Your search should reflect your priorities, with address-specific information and room for your own evaluation. Read our full Moving to Rochester guide.
Know the scams
Out-of-town buyers and renters are the favorite targets for fake listings. 9 signs a listing is fake.
You can’t get appreciation on a house you never buy
Waiting for prices to drop feels safe. Here’s why I gave up a 1.95% rate to move ten houses down the street, and would do it again.
Read the transcript
You can’t get appreciation on the house you never buy. Every nervous buyer in Rochester says the same thing to me. I want a good deal. I want to wait for prices to drop. Well, here’s the hard truth nobody tells you. The win is not that you paid the lowest price. The win is that you got the house. I moved 10 houses down the street once and gave up a 1.95% interest rate to do it. I paid more money, and on paper a mistake. But my family got a bigger yard, bigger house, a pool, and a quality of life that’s second to none. You can’t get appreciation or memories on a house you talked yourself out of. The best time to buy might have been 10 years ago. The second best time is right now. Save this and look at it before you walk away from the next house you actually love.
Every buyer starts somewhere different
What buyers ask me first
Do I need to be preapproved before we look?
It’s the smart first step. In a competitive market, sellers want to see it with your offer, and it keeps you from falling for a house outside your budget.
How much cash do I need?
Your down payment plus closing costs, an inspection and moving money. Many buyers put down far less than 20%. Your lender’s Loan Estimate gives you the real number.
How do I win in a multiple-offer situation?
Strong financing, clean terms and a price you can live with if you win. Escalation clauses and appraisal gap coverage are tools, not requirements. We’ll decide what fits your risk.
Do you only work in Greece and Pittsford?
No. Those are our offices. We help buyers across Monroe County and the surrounding area.
Ready to build your buying plan?
Tell me your budget, your timing and what matters most. I’ll map out the next steps.