We'll help you make a confident real estate purchase by identifying hidden risks, negotiating favorable terms, and ensuring you buy the right property at the right price.
Smooth transaction with limited risk
No pressure to over pay and buy within a certain time period
A team of people that will be with you even after the transaction is complete
A buyer’s agent is a licensed real estate pro who works exclusively for you, getting you the best deal possible in this crazy NYC market. Unlike a listing agent (commonly referred to as a seller's agent) – who owes their loyalty to the seller – your dedicated buyer’s agent will fight for you every step of the way. They’re like an insurance policy for your home buying dreams, providing exclusive and loyal representation to ensure your interests are always prioritized.
NYC has all sorts of unique challenges: co-op boards that can make or break a deal, competitive markets where one little mistake can cost you, and neighbourhoods that change overnight. With an experienced agent on your side, you get the benefit of their expert knowledge, market savvy, and a ton of useful connections. The agent represents your best interests at every stage, with legal and ethical obligations to advocate solely for you throughout the transaction.
Co-ops are no joke – with rules, regulations and hoops to jump through. Condos can be just as tricky – with surprise special assessments or tricky association rules. Brownstones, meanwhile, often come with headaches like unresolved building violations or stubborn tenants. A good buyer’s agent knows how to navigate all of these potential pitfalls, so you can buy with confidence.
NYC real estate values can shift overnight – making local expertise essential. And let’s not forget the bidding wars and complex contingencies that come with buying in this city. Having an experienced agent can make all the difference in securing the right home and navigating the NYC market successfully.
Most people buying a home in New York City know that doing it alone is a serious disadvantage. With nearly 9 out of 10 buyers nationwide working with an agent,the number in NYC is probably even higher due to the city’s complex regulations and super-high transaction values, as reflected in current New York real estate market data.
The home buying process involves multiple steps and professionals—including mortgage brokers, inspectors, attorneys, and real estate agents—making expert guidance absolutely essential.
So what do you get when you work with a buyer’s agent?
Working with a pro ensures your interests stay top priority from your first showing to closing day, with your buyer’s agent serving as your trusted advisor throughout the journey.
Choosing the right buyer’s agent is a super important step in the home buying process—especially in a market as complex as NYC. It’s crucial to select an experienced buyer's agent with a proven track record in successful real estate transactions, particularly within your target neighborhoods, building types, or price ranges. You want someone who knows this city inside and out—who’s familiar with co-ops, condos, brownstones, neighborhood trends, and off-market properties, and understands NYC property regulations and co-op rules. The best agents will give you personalized service—answering your questions, providing strategic advice, and getting to know you as a buyer.
Look for someone who’s only working for you—not both the buyer and the seller in the same deal. While dual agency is legal in NYC with the proper disclosure, it can offer a streamlined experience by having one agent familiar with both sides of the transaction. Especially in off-market deals, dual agency is more common—because the property isn’t on the public listings. Understanding this dynamic helps you make informed decisions about your representation—and ensures your best interests are protected at every stage. You want someone with a track record, good communication skills, and a solid reputation for integrity. Before committing to a buyer's agent, it's advisable to interview them to ensure they're a good fit for your needs, including their communication style and availability. Their local expertise and deep knowledge will help you find the best homes, and navigate the complexities of co-op rules, condo regulations, and brownstone headaches.
Many experienced buyer's agents have a strong network and can connect you with other professionals and other real estate professionals, such as mortgage brokers, attorneys, inspectors, and movers, to help streamline your transaction and provide comprehensive support.
In the end, the right buyer’s agent is like your own personal home buying advisor—guiding you through the process with dedication, professionalism, and a whole lot of TLC.
Finding the right agent can be the difference between a smooth & stressful home buying journey. Start by asking friends, family or past clients for recommendations - these people have firsthand experience of working with agents who really know the New York City market inside out. Doing some online research can also be a great way to find out which agents have the skills and local knowledge to help you get the best deal on your dream home.
When you start interviewing potential agents, ask them for their experience with properties that are similar to what you’re after. You’ll also want to ask about their approach to the buying process, and how they charge—including how the buyer's agent commission works. Agent's compensation can be structured as a flat fee or a percentage of the purchase price, and it's important to understand these details before signing an agreement. The buyer's agent commission is negotiable and should be discussed upfront, including who is responsible for paying it—whether it's covered by the seller, the buyer, or split in another way. An honest agent will be more than happy to go over their fee structure with you and make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. Transparency about costs is key, so you can budget properly and avoid any nasty surprises down the line. And make sure they’ll put everything in writing—a clear, signed agreement that outlines their duties to you as their client is a must.
A great agent will help you figure out a fair price for the property, negotiate a good deal, and be there every step of the way to make the whole home buying process as painless as possible. With the right agent on your side, you’ll feel confident and in control—and you’ll be able to find the perfect home without getting bogged down in all the complexities of the New York real estate market.
Buying a home in New York City is a whole different ball game compared to anywhere else - especially for first-time buyers. You need to understand the difference between co-ops and condos, what the board approval process is like, and all the other local rules and regulations that can catch you out. Stanley Montfort explains in simple terms how these work, and points out the special loan programs that can make owning a home in NYC more affordable. That includes first-time buyer assistance programs, down payment help, and mortgages that are tailored to local buyers.
For people who are looking to make money from their property through rental income or by flipping houses, Stanley Montfort offers a different level of expertise. He'll give you detailed analysis of the potential return on investment, including cap rates, vacancy rates, and trends in the local market, especially when reviewing broader New York City housing market trends.
Co-owning a property is a complex business- you'll need someone with the knowledge and expertise to make it work for you. Stanley can help you set up a co-ownership agreement, find financing options, and come up with a strategy for getting out if things don’t work out.
Stanley will talk you through your home buying goals & budget and find out which neighborhoods in NYC are the best fit for you. You'll get a clear rundown of the current market conditions, he'll explain exactly how he works and establish a written agreement outlining all the services he'll provide for you - a bit of paperwork, but completely necessary to protect both you and the agent.
With a clear idea of what you’re after, Stanley will create a custom search and arrange private showings tailored to your schedule and preferences. During these exclusive tours, he’ll give you the lowdown on each property, its strengths and its weaknesses.
Using all the market analysis at his fingertips, Stanley will come up with a solid offer strategy that’s designed to get you the best deal. He’ll be the one making all the offers and negotiations on your behalf, handling any counter-offers and fighting for the best terms - price, closing date, conditions - to make sure you get the best possible deal.### Step 4: Due Diligence and Inspection
Once the offer is accepted, Stanley will guide you through the due diligence phase - the usually frenetic process of wrapping up all those loose ends. During this time, he'll be working closely with your real estate attorney to review documents, examine title reports, and even coordinating professional home inspections to uncover any hidden downsides. Due diligence is all about making sure you have all your ducks in a row, and its requirements can vary depending on the type of property you're after:
Throughout this whole process, Stanley will be with you every step of the way, making sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision and address any concerns before moving forward.
From the moment you sign the contract to the final closing, Stanley is the one who's got everything under control. He'll take care of inspection coordination, make sure the appraisal goes smoothly, get your financing in order - and that's just the beginning. He'll also be arranging for other vendors to have access to the property, and keeping everything moving along at a good pace. On top of all that, he'll be working closely with real estate attorneys and other pros to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
“Stan was great - really knowledgeable about different areas and always available when we needed to reach him. He’s honest, transparent, and made our buying process super easy. We'd definitely work with him again.”
– Christine S., Investment Buyer
“Stanley was an absolutely tremendous resource on our journey - showed us loads of properties till we got a feel for what we were looking for. Through Stanley, we got a good handle on what was good and bad, what you can expect at what price, and what to look out for. Stanley was a steady guiding hand especially when we started narrowing down our list to the one we ended up finding. We still turn to Stanley as a resource due to his vast network of contacts - he’s still a high-leverage resource as we enjoy our brownstone, and still is a high leverage resource during our journey to our brownstone.
Thanks Stanley!!!
– Syed A., First Time Home Buyer
Following that August 17th NAR settlement, buyer’s agent commission structures changed pretty dramatically. Previously, sellers would typically pay 5-6% total commission - split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent. Now compensation offers are no longer required in RLS entries, and buyers have to have a written agreement with their agent which spells out the fee structure before they can look at homes.
Well, currently the buyer’s agent commission is usually around 2.5-3% of the purchase price, though that's negotiable. Sometimes the home seller offers compensation, sometimes the buyer has to pay their agent directly, and sometimes they negotiate credits. From Stanley's experience, 99% of sellers in NYC are still offering a buy side commission. So buyers rarely have to worry about paying this fee themselves. What you really want to do is discuss your agent's compensation upfront - so you can budget accurately for all your closing costs.
A listing agent—the seller's agent or sales agent—is representing the home seller, and is focused on getting them the highest possible sale price. In contrast your buyer’s agent owes you fiduciary duty under New York Real Property Law, which means they have to be loyal to you, keep your business confidential, give you full disclosure of any material facts, and exercise reasonable care. This is a big deal - it's a serious commitment to putting your needs first.
Dual agency—where one agent is representing both parties in the same transaction—is legal in New York, but it does create some conflicts of interest. While it can work out in some cases, especially when accessing off market deals that aren't available otherwise - many buyers still prefer to work with a dedicated agent who is legally bound to only represent their interests.
Absolutely many buyers who try to work directly with selling agents discover they're in a tough spot from the word go. A listing agent's number one job is to get the best possible deal for the seller - and that means you're not getting the kind of help you really need. Without someone on your side, you're flying blind, with no one to turn to when you're trying to figure out if the place you're looking at is worth the price tag - or if there are some major issues lurking that you need to know about. Plus you're missing out on someone to help you craft an offer that's competitive and likely to get accepted - and then of course there's all the paperwork and red tape of dealing with the co-op board.
For anyone new to the game - first time buyer or seasoned pro who's not familiar with the quirks of New York's market - an experienced buyer's agent can be a lifesaver. They've seen it all and can give you advice that's worked for their clients before. And it's pretty common for people to find themselves working with the same agent again and again, especially in a market as tough as New York's.
Whether you're new to the Upper West Side, looking to buy a bunch of multi-families in Brooklyn or just plain glad to be moving to Manhattan and need a co-op, finding your perfect home can be a bit of a nightmare. You need someone who knows the ropes to guide you.
Stanley Montfort - that's me - has a deep understanding of what makes New York City tick. I know all the ins and outs of each neighborhood - and all the little things that can make or break a sale. You won't get lost in a sea of clients with me - I focus on you and your search, so you get the home you really want.
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