Privacy Policy

Overview

NY First Home Guide ("the Site") is a free informational website. We take your privacy seriously. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your choices.

Information We Collect

Calculator Inputs

The cash-needed calculator on this site runs entirely in your browser. Values you enter (purchase price, down payment percentage, etc.) are not transmitted to any server and are not stored anywhere. When you close or refresh the page, those values are gone.

Checklist Data

The first-time buyer checklist stores your check states in your browser's local memory for the duration of your session only. This data is not transmitted to any server.

Automatically Collected Data

Like most websites, this site may collect standard server log information when you visit, including:

• IP address (typically anonymized or truncated)
• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring URL
• Date and time of visit

This information is used only for understanding aggregate traffic patterns and improving the site. We do not sell, rent, or share this data with third parties for marketing purposes.

Analytics

This site uses Google Analytics to understand, in aggregate, how visitors use the site. Google Analytics may set cookies and collect usage data such as pages viewed, approximate location, device type, and interactions (for example, when a calculator is used or a form is submitted). This data helps us improve the site. You can opt out of Google Analytics using Google’s browser add-on.

Cookies

Aside from cookies that may be set by Google Analytics, this site does not use its own tracking cookies. Any cookies set by third-party tools are governed by those providers’ policies.

Information You Submit Through Forms

This site uses Netlify Forms to handle form submissions. When you choose to submit a form, the information you provide is sent to and stored by Netlify so we can respond to you. Depending on the form, you may submit:

• Your name and email address
• Your phone number (optional)
• Your county and homebuying timeline (guide request form)
• Whether you would like grant or down-payment assistance information
• Whether you have requested contact from a local real estate professional and consented to sharing your information
• Business and licensing details if you submit an advertiser listing

We use this information to send you the guide, updates, and resources you request and to respond to inquiries. Please do not submit Social Security numbers, bank account information, birth dates, or other sensitive financial information through any form on this site.

Connecting With a Local Real Estate Professional

If you request a connection with a local real estate professional and consent by checking the contact and consent boxes on the guide request form, the site may share the contact information you submitted — such as your name, email, phone number, county, buying timeline, and assistance-interest information — with one or more participating or sponsored local real estate professionals so they can follow up with you about homebuying services.

This sharing only happens when you have expressly opted in. If you do not check both boxes, your information is used only to deliver the guide and is not shared for this purpose. Participating and sponsored professionals are paid advertisers; a connection is not an endorsement or recommendation, and you should independently evaluate any professional before working with them.

Please do not submit sensitive financial information. You may also receive automated guide delivery emails and clearly labeled sponsored content as part of the guide.

Payments, Advertising, and Affiliate Links

This site may use the following third-party services and arrangements:

• Stripe Payment Links or Stripe Checkout to process advertising payments. Payment details are handled by Stripe under its own privacy policy; we do not store full payment card information.
• Advertising links and sponsored placements, which are clearly labeled. See our Advertising Disclosure.
• Affiliate links in the future, through which the site may earn compensation. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

How We Use Information

Any information we collect is used solely to:

• Deliver and maintain the site
• Understand aggregate usage patterns to improve the content
• Ensure the site functions correctly

We do not sell, rent, trade, or share your personal information with any third party for commercial purposes.

Third-Party Links

This site may contain links to external resources such as hcr.ny.gov, county government websites, and housing counseling agency sites. Once you leave this site, you are subject to the privacy policies of those external sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

Children's Privacy

This site is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information through this site, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The "last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. Your continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or how your information is handled, you may contact us through the site's contact information.