Buying
Buyer Representation in South East Queens & the NYC Metro
Jortevsky Real Estate Firm provides exclusive buyer representation across South East Queens and the greater New York City metro area. We handle pre-approval, search strategy, offer structure, negotiation, inspection and closing, and we work regularly with SONYMA financing and the NYC HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance program.
The short version
What this actually involves
The listing agent works for the seller. A buyer without their own representation is negotiating against a professional while relying on that professional for advice — which is how people end up overpaying for a house with an unresolved Certificate of Occupancy problem. We represent you, exclusively, and we tell you when to walk away.
Exclusive buyer-side representation covering search strategy, offer structure, negotiation and closing — including SONYMA, HomeFirst and NYC down payment assistance programs used heavily across South East Queens.
What you get
- Lender introductions and a genuine pre-approval before you start viewing
- A search brief that includes what you should not buy and why
- Certificate of Occupancy, permit, violation and flood zone checks on every property before you offer
- Offer strategy built on terms as well as price
- Inspection coordination and a plain reading of what the report actually means
- Guidance on SONYMA, NYC HomeFirst and other down payment assistance programs
- Attorney, lender and title coordination through to closing
Process
How the engagement runs
- Step 01
Pre-approval first
We introduce you to lenders and get you genuinely pre-approved before viewing anything. In competitive South East Queens blocks, a buyer without a real pre-approval loses to one who has it, regardless of price offered.
- Step 02
Search brief
We agree what you are looking for, what you can carry monthly rather than just what you qualify for, and which trade-offs you are willing to make. Then we cover the whole market, not just our own listings.
- Step 03
Due diligence before the offer
Before you commit to a number we check the Certificate of Occupancy, DOB permit and violation history, and FEMA flood designation. Discovering a problem after you are in contract costs you time, money and often the deposit negotiation.
- Step 04
Offer and negotiation
We structure the offer to compete on the terms a seller actually cares about — timeline, contingencies, deposit and financing strength — so you are not forced to win on price alone.
- Step 05
Contract to keys
We coordinate the inspection, your attorney, the lender's appraisal and title, and we keep the closing on schedule. You will always know what the next step is and who is holding it up.
Where we do this
Buying across our service area
Each neighborhood page carries the local detail — records, market notes and the questions specific to that market.
Answers
Questions about buying
What does a buyer's agent cost in New York?
Buyer representation compensation is negotiated and disclosed in writing at the start of the engagement, and it may be offered by the seller, paid by the buyer, or a combination. Jortevsky Real Estate Firm puts the arrangement in writing before you view a single property so there are no surprises at closing. Call (516) 668-6031 to discuss your situation.
Can Jortevsky Real Estate Firm help a first-time buyer in Queens?
Yes — first-time buyers are a large share of our business across South East Queens. We work with SONYMA financing, the NYC HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance program and lender-specific first-time buyer products, and we take you through pre-approval, offer, inspection and closing step by step.
What is the NYC HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance program?
HomeFirst is a New York City program providing down payment and closing cost assistance to qualifying first-time buyers purchasing in the five boroughs, subject to income limits, purchase price caps, a required homebuyer education course and an occupancy commitment. Jortevsky Real Estate Firm works with HomeFirst buyers regularly and will tell you early whether the program fits your purchase.
How much do I need for a down payment in South East Queens?
It depends on the loan product: conventional financing may allow as little as three percent for qualifying buyers, FHA typically requires three and a half percent, and down payment assistance programs can reduce the cash you bring further. Jortevsky Real Estate Firm will have a lender model your actual options before you start viewing, because the answer changes what you should be looking at.
Should I buy a two-family house as my first home?
For many South East Queens buyers it is the strongest option — the rental income from a legal second unit can carry a meaningful part of the mortgage, and lenders will often count part of it toward qualifying. It only works if the second unit is legal, so Jortevsky Real Estate Firm verifies the Certificate of Occupancy before you offer.
How do I compete when a house gets multiple offers?
Rarely by simply bidding higher. Jortevsky Real Estate Firm structures offers around what the seller needs — closing timeline, contingency structure, deposit size and demonstrable financing strength — which regularly wins against a higher but weaker bid. That only works if you are genuinely pre-approved before you offer.
Also from us
Other things we handle
Most clients use us for more than one of these over time — which is the argument for a full-service firm rather than a specialist.
Let's talk about your property.
A conversation costs nothing and you will leave it knowing what your home is worth and what the market is actually doing on your block.
Prefer to talk now? (516) 668-6031 · jortevskyrealty@gmail.com