Buy your first New York home with a plan, not a guess.
Free tools, plain-English guides, and county-by-county intelligence that turn a confusing process into a clear, strategic path — from SONYMA programs to the cash you actually need at closing.
- 62 NY counties & boroughs covered
- $0 cost — no account required
- 11 point Battle Plan report
NY First Home Guide helps New York first-time buyers estimate affordability, compare mortgage options, understand SONYMA resources, and find county-specific homebuying information.
Get the Free NY First-Time Homebuyer Guide
Enter your information to receive the guide and, if you choose, request a connection with a local real estate professional who works with first-time buyers.
Information submitted through this form is used to deliver the guide and homebuyer resources. Your information is only shared with a participating local real estate professional if you check both the contact and consent boxes above. Do not submit Social Security numbers, bank account information, birth dates, or other sensitive financial information.
Sponsored placement. Paid advertising only. Not a referral, endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of services. Users should independently evaluate any real estate professional before choosing to work with them.
What you'll find here
Purpose-built tools and local guides for New York first-time buyers — choose where to start.
First-Time Buyer Battle Plan™
Answer a few quick questions to unlock your personalized Buyer Readiness Score, Offer Strength Score, cash-to-close range, and a homeownership wealth estimate.
02Affordability Calculator
See how much home you may afford, get a full monthly payment breakdown, compare SONYMA vs. a conventional 30-year loan, and view a side-by-side amortization comparison.
03Cash-Needed Calculator
Estimate your down payment, closing costs, and total cash required at closing based on your purchase price.
04SONYMA Guides
Learn how the Down Payment Assistance Loan works, how SONYMA compares to FHA, and whether you can buy a 2-family home.
05County Guides
Local context for counties and NYC boroughs across New York — from the Capital Region and Buffalo to Long Island and the five boroughs.
06First-Time Buyer Checklist
A step-by-step checklist covering everything from credit to closing, so you don't miss a critical step.
07Advertise With Us
Reach New York first-time buyers with a clearly labeled sponsored listing. Plans for agents and related businesses start at $19/month.
Built so you can ask better questions of your lender, attorney, and agent.
Buying your first home in New York is exciting — and complicated. Between SONYMA programs, FHA loans, down payment assistance, closing cost credits, and county-specific quirks, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. This site collects the most useful information in one place so you walk in prepared. It is not a substitute for licensed professionals, and the numbers are estimates only. Use it as a starting point, then work with the pros to finalize your plan.
Get the Free NY First-Time Homebuyer Guide
Enter your information to receive the guide and, if you choose, request a connection with a local real estate professional who works with first-time buyers.
Information submitted through this form is used to deliver the guide and homebuyer resources. Your information is only shared with a participating local real estate professional if you check both the contact and consent boxes above. Do not submit Social Security numbers, bank account information, birth dates, or other sensitive financial information.
Sponsored placement. Paid advertising only. Not a referral, endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of services. Users should independently evaluate any real estate professional before choosing to work with them.