Purchasing a home for the first time can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially in a bustling city like New York. First-time buyers often face unexpected challenges at closing, misconceptions about closing dates, and problems in navigating the preapproval process.
In order to minimize stress and avoid costly mistakes, it is essential to have an experienced real estate attorney by your side throughout the entire process. At Sishodia PLLC, our team of New York real estate attorneys may be able to guide you through the intricacies of buying your first home in New York City. Call us today at (833) 616-4646 to schedule a consultation.
The National Association of Realtors reported that first-time buyers made up a larger share of the residential market in New York (49 percent).
According to CNN Money U.S., 2015 may be the year first-time home buyers make a comeback since rents are rising faster than incomes. While working with first-time buyers in New York we observed the following most common challenges that they face:
Closing Cost Unexpected Fees
“One of the most surprising aspects of buying or selling a New York City apartment—and thus, one of the more stressful—is the amount you’ll spend on closing costs, potentially tens of thousands of dollars that get tacked onto the purchase or sale of a home,” stated Brick Underground.
Surprisingly for some first-time buyers, the net available at closing is not the same as a loan amount. The lender usually deducts all their fees, including but not limited to lender’s counsel fees, appraisal fees, and escrow fees. Moreover, the closing costs amounts vary with each property. For example, closing costs purchasing from a sponsor, where the original owner is a developer, in most of the cases purchaser will pay New York city and state transfer taxes, sponsor’s legal fee, the working capital fund (which usually consists of two months of common charges or maintenance), percentage of the management unit, etc.
Purchasers, who finance will end up paying a mortgage tax which will appear as a substantial amount on their title bill.
Misconception of the Closing Date
Most of the Real Estate Contracts in New York will have a Closing Date “On or about”. However, this does not guarantee that closing will occur on that particular day as many first-time buyers assume. It is simply a tentative closing date and in New York, it was customarily established that each party has 30 days from the “on or about “closing date to adjourn the Closing. Such a closing date is really helpful if buyers are financing and not sure how much time exactly it will take to clear the loan for the closing.
On the contrary, when you buy from the sponsor or developer, the closing date is going to be as time as of the essence. In such cases, any party not prepared to close on the given date will be in default, regardless of the reasons. Even though most of the sponsor’s contracts will not provide an exact date but rather have a provision that the buyer will be given a thirty days written notice of the closing date at the later stage when building declaration is recorded. Most of the practitioners negotiating sponsor contracts will request a right to adjourn the closing one time without penalty which will give the purchaser a little flexibility to close and even put financing in order if financing is involved.
If the Buyer is ready to close is not necessary the closing may take a place at the buyer’s convenience.
Since there are multiple parties involved in a real estate transaction, delays can happen. When you schedule the closing you need to gather several parties at the same time in the same place, which can be challenging due to the conflict in schedules. Main parties for the coop purchase transaction: transfer agent or real estate attorney, seller’s counsel, seller, buyer’s counsel, buyer, lender’s counsel(if financing is involved), pay off attorney(if the seller has a loan on the premises). Main Parties for a condo purchase transaction: seller’s counsel, seller, buyer’s counsel, buyer, lender’s counsel(if financing is involved), and title company.
An additional challenge arises when closing figures are not available until the closing date. Preferably, the seller and buyer are given the closing figures prior to closing. However, it does not always happen in practice.
There are currently changes that are being made in the documents that are prepared for closing and the figures that go along with a real estate closing. As of October 2015 the HUD-1, as well as the Good Faith Estimate, will no longer be used for closings. They are being replaced by the closing disclosure and loan estimate.
The changes enacted by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Financial Law in 2015 are developed to help borrowers better understand the terms of their mortgages. Thus, the lender is required to provide borrowers with new “Know Before You Owe” forms so they can review the final lend terms. These new forms, the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures (TRID), are applicable to mortgage rates and fee quote documents, with more time built into the process for reviewing them.
Home Inspection may reveal crucial facts
With regard to a home inspection, timing is a crucial aspect. It is important to mention that buyers should perform a home inspection before entering into a binding purchase agreement to avoid adverse consequences. Once a buyer signs the agreement, the chance to change the agreed price based upon the bad conditions of the real property will be highly diminished.
Especially buying a house in New York, a home inspection may reveal environmental issues(like soil contamination, high level of radon, bacteria in a vail, structural defects, toxic mold, etc.)
Ordering Lien Search prior to the board approval may be a waste of buyer’s money
A similar timing aspect is applicable to lien searches and other records. These records include Real and Personal Property transfers, interest, and ownership information. The Offices of the City Register maintain the New York City public records for the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Nevertheless, the best advice here is not to order a lien search prior to the board’s approval. Otherwise, it would be a waste of the buyer’s money if the approval were denied by the board.
Lender’s Preapproval may not 100% guarantee a loan
In order for the purchaser to get financing there are three conditions to be met: 1) the buyer has to qualify financially; 2) the project, the building has to be approved by the lender; 3) Appraisal has to be at a purchase price for the lender to provide 80% or more of the Purchase Price.
Another challenge for first-time buyers is the underestimation of the lender’s preapproval. “Not to be confused with a prequalification, which is essentially a crude calculation of how much of a loan you might qualify for, a preapproval is a written estimate from the lender stating how much you will likely be able to borrow based on an initial review of your credit and financial information,” the NY Times stated. Borrowers may be required to explain any large deposits in their bank account within two months prior to the buyer’s application for credit. Thus, it is important to prepare for this preapproval process in advance. Additionally, it would be beneficial for buyers to learn how much they can afford.
| Challenges Faced by First-Time Buyers | Description |
|---|---|
| Closing Cost Unexpected Fees | Buyers are surprised by the amount spent on closing costs, which can be tens of thousands of dollars. |
| Misconception of the Closing Date | Closing dates are often “on or about” and not guaranteed. |
| Scheduling Difficulties | Coordinating multiple parties involved in the transaction can be challenging. |
| Changes in Closing Documents | HUD-1 and Good Faith Estimate are being replaced by new forms. |
| Importance of Home Inspection | Home inspections should be conducted before signing a purchase agreement. |
| Timing of Lien Search | Ordering a lien search should be done after board approval. |
| Lender’s Preapproval Challenges | Preapproval does not guarantee a loan and has specific requirements. |
Real Estate Disputes
Sometimes things don’t work out as planned after closing. There may be issues down the line with the title, land use, landlord-tenant, deed limitations, zoning issues, landlord/tenant issues, and issues with easements.
For any dispute, it is important to consult a New York City attorney. Sometimes, a case or statute may cover the issue and you may need a legal professional who can help you understand your rights in the transaction. It may also be possible to reach an agreement before costly litigation ensues. For example, tenants may have a right of habitability implied in a lease. This right of habitability covers tenants who occupy residential buildings that are rented to them, as well as the common areas. However, if a tenant makes the apartment unsafe or unlivable, the tenant might be required to repair it.
Although commercial tenants may not be as protected as residential tenants, they do have rights. For example, they have the right to terminate a lease if a rental is no longer available or unfit for occupation through no fault of the commercial tenant. The tenant may have the right to leave and surrender possession of the rental property. They will also be freed from paying rent. When you deal with a real estate dispute, whether it’s connected to a commercial or a residential lease, it is always best to consult a qualified New York City real estate attorney. Call to make an appointment to speak with Natalia Sishodia (833) 616-4646.
Preferable Rates of Homeowner’s Insurance may not be easy to obtain
Homeowner’s insurance also requires credit qualification. Author Kristi Waterworth of usmortgagecalculator.org states: “Just because you can get a mortgage doesn’t automatically mean every insurance company is going to go out of their way to offer you homeowner’s coverage, though”. Our advice here is to apply to several insurance companies in order to create a backup plan.
How Soon After Buying a House Can You Sell It
Selling a property can bring about uncertainties for many homeowners, especially when they have invested considerable time, effort, and emotional attachment. These sentiments can become more apparent when potential buyers show interest in purchasing your home.
As the owner of the property, you have the right to withdraw it from the market at any time. If you are handling the sale on your own, you can remove the listing from all advertising platforms. However, it’s important to note that you may not be able to recover the expenses you incurred for marketing. If you are working with a real estate agent, you need to adhere to the terms stated in your contract. If you decide to terminate the contract with your current agent and engage another one, there might be early termination fees and additional penalties depending on the resources and time invested by the agent.
Getting Legal Advice From a Skilled New York Real Estate Lawyer
The process of buying a home in New York City can present various challenges for first-time buyers. Understanding and addressing these challenges early on can greatly improve your experience and lead to a smoother transaction. Having a knowledgeable real estate attorney to guide you through the process will not only alleviate stress but also ensure that you are making informed decisions every step of the way. Don’t leave your investment to chance; contact Sishodia PLLC today at (833) 616-4646 to speak with an experienced New York real estate attorney, and secure your dream home in New York.
Natalia Sishodia, Esq.
With assistance in Research by Natalia Lantonio
All rights reserved by Sishodia PLLC
