The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.
Chinese Proverb
Whether you're wondering about our 75% commission rebate or the home buying process in NYC, we've got answers. Browse the FAQs below or contact us directly.
Compare our King-Size Sales Commission Rebate to other NYC brokerages. We are #1
A commission rebate is a credit a buyer's agent gives to their client at closing. The seller pays the commission (typically 5-6% of the purchase price). The buyer's agent receives their share (usually 2.5-3%). At ApartmentsExpert, we give you 75% of what we earn as cash back. On a $1,000,000 purchase, that's approximately $22,500 back in your pocket.
ApartmentsExpert offers the highest commission rebate in NYC at 75% of the buyer agent commission. On a $1,000,000 purchase, we provide ~$22,500 cash back, while most competitors like Prevu, Yoreevo, NestApple, and Hauseit offer ~2% ($20,000). PropertyClub offers up to 2.25% ($22,500).
Yes, commission rebates must be disclosed to your lender. Lenders treat the rebate as a reduction in the purchase price or a credit to the borrower. This is standard practice and easily handled with proper disclosure. At ApartmentsExpert, we guide you through the simple disclosure process to ensure everything goes smoothly at closing.
No, ApartmentsExpert has no minimum purchase price requirement. Many competitors like Prevu and Yoreevo require a minimum purchase price of $700,000–$750,000 to qualify for their full rebate. With us, you get 75% of our commission regardless of the purchase price.
Yes, commission rebates are completely legal in New York and 40+ states. Rebates must be disclosed to all parties and documented on the closing statement. ApartmentsExpert follows all legal and regulatory requirements for rebate processing.
ApartmentsExpert offers a higher rebate percentage (75% vs. ~2%) with no minimum purchase price. On a $1M purchase, you get $22,500 with us vs. $20,000 with Prevu or Yoreevo. We're also a full-service brokerage, not a tech platform with partner agents.
We advise our clients to begin their search four to six months before their target move date. We plan with our clients to leverage their qualifications and financing options so they can immediately make their best offer when they find the right home. The NYC real estate market is extremely competitive. The most desirable and affordable apartments can go to contract in a matter of days.
Financial qualifications for a mortgage may be different and less rigid than those from a co-op board or condo association. Generally you should be able to borrow two to two and a half times your gross annual income. If you have significant liquid assets you may be able to borrow more. Monthly mortgage and maintenance should not exceed one month's gross salary.
Your credit history is extremely important and can affect the interest rate of your mortgage. We advise our clients to review their credit reports from the three major reporting bureaus making sure there are no inconsistencies and scrubbing negative information before applying for pre-approval for a mortgage.
Pre-qualifying is the initial step in the mortgage process and it is generally fairly simple. You provide a bank or lender with your overall financial picture including your debt, income and assets. After evaluating this information a lender can give you an idea of the mortgage amount you can qualify for. Pre-qualification can be done over the phone or internet and there is generally no cost involved. Pre-qualification does not include an analysis of your credit report or an in-depth look at your ability to purchase a home. For this reason, being a pre-qualified buyer doesn't carry the same weight with a seller as a pre-approved buyer.
Pre-approval is the next step in the mortgage process and is more involved than pre-qualification. You will complete an official mortgage application and usually pay an application fee. You will provide the lender with the necessary documentation and authorization to perform an extensive check on your background, finances and credit history. From this a lender can tell you the specific mortgage amount for which you are approved. After pre-approval your lender will provide you with a conditional commitment letter for an exact loan amount. A seller will recognize your offer is serious and not contingent upon financing.
Financial statements prepared by a CPA and your conditional commitment letter from your lender. Financial statements should designate the buyer's net worth itemizing assets, liabilities, salary and bonuses. The most qualified offers are generally the offers that are accepted.
Yes, you will need an attorney to take your accepted offer into contract. It is best to select an attorney specializing in the New York City real estate market. We can recommend several attorneys we have successfully worked with.
An accepted offer will be great news and an indication that you are closer to your goal but it is not binding on you or the seller. Immediately after your offer is accepted you will want to arrange for a home inspection while having your attorney work with the seller's attorney to construct a Contract of Sale. Once the Contract of Sale is signed by both parties you are 'In Contract' and you have a binding agreement.
To oversimplify, a closing is the last step of buying and is structured as a meeting with you, the seller, representative brokers, representative attorneys and title closer. At the closing you are paying the seller for ownership of the property.
There's no risk, no upfront cost, and no obligation. When you're ready to start your NYC home search, we're here to help — with the highest commission rebate in the city.
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