Frequently Asked Questions

Start with monthly payment comfort, not purchase price.  Back into your price using your target “all-in” payment (mortgage + taxes + insurance + PMI).  If you can’t explain the math in 60 seconds, you don’t understand your budget yet.  We have amazing mortgage professionals that we can recommend.  Check out our Services page => Mortgage Professionals 

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Typical contract to close is often - 45-60 days, but your real timeline is search time + negotiation + mortgage process + inspection / appraisal + title

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You’re really asking two questions: (1) can you afford the payment now? and (2) will waiting materially improve your options?  Without a side-by-side scenario comparison—buying now versus waiting 12 months—any decision is based on guesswork rather than data.  Also, keep this in mind - timing the real estate market is guessing, scenario planning is strategy.

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Most NY buyers use an attorney because contracts / closing are attorney driven.  The cost is relatively small compared to the potential risk.

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Price isn’t “what I want”.  It’s “what the market will pay with today’s competition”.  If you’re overpriced, you lose the best buyers first and usually net less.

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The repairs you should do before closing usually depend on what was negotiated after the inspection, what the buyer is asking for, and whether the lender requires anything to be addressed before the sale can move forward. If you are still in the early stages of getting your house ready to sell, check out our blog post How Much Should You Fix Before Listing Your Home? for guidance on what is worth fixing before your home even hits the market.  

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Spring and summer are popular times to sell because buyer activity often increases, but more listings usually hit the market too. The best time to sell depends on your home, your price, your competition, and your goals. Learn more in our blog: Is Spring Really the Best Time to Sell a Home in the Capital Region?

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In New York, attorneys are extremely common in the contract through closing process.  Even if not in every scenario, most sellers use one because NY real estate transactions are primarily attorney-driven.  Mistakes can be expensive, required.

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Purchasing too high and underestimating rehab surprises especially with an older home.  In other words, running the deal on fantasy numbers.

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If you’ll live in one unit (owner-occupied), you may access better financing than pure investment loans.  Exact options depend on lender / loan type.  We have great mortgage professionals we can recommend!  Check out our Services page => Mortgage Professionals

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Debt Service Coverage Ratio Loans (DSCR) underwrite the property’s cash flow more than your personal income.  Rates / terms vary; they can be useful in scaling rentals.

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Robert Taylor and his team provide full-service real estate expertise across several New York counties in the Capital Region, including:

• Albany County:  Albany, Latham, Colonie & Guilderland

• Saratoga County:  Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, Clifton Park & Wilton

• Montgomery County:  Amsterdam (where Robert is a Top 0.8% producer)

• Fulton County:  Broadalbin, Gloversville & Johnstown

• Columbia & Greene Counties:  Hudson & Catskill

• Schenectady County: Schenectady, Scotia, Glenville

• Rensselaer County:  Troy, East Greenbush, Castleton

• Warren County:  Lake George, Queensbury

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Robert Taylor of Team Taylor at KW Platform is widely recognized as a top-producing expert in the New York Capital Region.  With over 15 years of experience and $100M+ in career sales, Robert specializes in high impact marketing for homes in Albany, Amsterdam, Latham and Saratoga Springs.  As a former host on American Dream TV, Robert provides sellers with unique media exposure that traditional agents cannot match.

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Working with Robert & Elizabeth Taylor provides clients with “Under One Roof” coverage, offering two distinct perspectives on every transaction.  While Robert focuses on high-level market analytics, negotiation strategy and marketing, Elizabeth specializes in all the logistics.  This partnership ensures that no detail - from the contract fine print to the curb appeal - is overlooked.

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It depends on the loan.  FHA can be as low as 3.5% (if you qualify).  Conventional can be low too, but your rate / PMI / payment change with the size of your down payment.

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Your rate is priced off market rates plus your risk profile: credit, down payment, loan type, occupancy and debt to income ratio.  There are so many variables.  The advertised rate you see online is rarely the rate you get.  

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Definitely expect pay stubs, W2’s / 1099’s, tax return (often), bank statements, identification and written explanations for large deposits.  Self-employed borrowers most likely will need more paperwork and more scrutiny.

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A real estate agent helps guide you through the process of selling or buying a home from start to finish. That includes advice, strategy, pricing guidance, showings, negotiations, paperwork, deadlines, problem-solving, and helping you avoid costly mistakes.

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Because real estate has a lot of moving parts, and mistakes are expensive. A good agent helps you make better decisions, stay on track, negotiate strongly, and avoid problems that can delay or kill a deal.  Buying or selling a home can be difficult to navigate.  Working with an expert (someone that does this as a profession every single day) is a wise move.

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An inspection is for YOU, the buyer, to both assess the property for major defects that may lead to negotiation and to educate yourself on the property you are buying.  An appraisal is for the lender to support the value of the home and determine any repairs the lender may require.  Bear in mind the buyer typically still pays for the appraisal even though it is for the lender.

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Online estimates are a starting point.  Real pricing comes from comparable sales, current competition and your home’s condition / location - then adjusting for time and buyer demand.

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A good investment property is not just a “cheap house.” It is a property that makes sense based on price, condition, location, rental demand, expenses, and long-term potential. A smart investment should work on paper before it ever looks good emotionally.

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That depends on your goals. If you want monthly cash flow and long-term wealth, a rental may make more sense. If you want a shorter-term project with a potential lump-sum profit, a flip may be the better fit. The right answer depends on your timeline, risk tolerance, and access to capital.

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There is no single number.  Higher credit usually means a better interest rate and easier approval.  If your score is borderline, your rate, PMI and approval odds can change more than you think.  A mortgage professional can help you determine whether they can make your existing score work or it makes sense to work on repairing your credit.

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Yes. Looking before getting pre-approved wastes time and creates bad assumptions. Pre-approval helps you shop with real numbers instead of guesses.

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