JUST LISTED
27 Oriole Dr, Norwalk CT
Tastefully renovated home located on the Norwalk/Westport border
COMING SOON
Live 11/10
159 Stone Mdw, South Salem NY
Exquisitely renovated end unit in a peaceful and convenient locale
CLIENT ROADMAP
ANDREW
& TAMELA
Based on our conversation, you are ready to obtain your pre-approval and begin your neighborhood and home search. The next sections detail a personalized road map with relevant resources for home buying journey.
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This list will be continuously updated based on your stage in the process.
We recommend you bookmark this page for easy access to these resources.
YOUR TOP CRITERIA
This section details the top criteria that are driving your home search and neighborhood. Based on these factors, we will suggest neighborhoods and properties.
Commute Time
A reasonable commute time to the city so you can spend more time with family
Low-Tax Town
Targeting neighborhoods with low taxes that offer a suburban atmosphere
Well-Maintained Home
3-bed, 2-bath home with a functional size that suits your lifestyle needs
RECOMMENDED LENDERS
If you don't have a lender, please review our recommended list below. We always suggest reaching out to multiple lenders to see who can provide you with the best option for your personal situation.
NEIGHBORHOOD
DISCOVERY
Based on your criteria, we recommend exploring the following neighborhoods. Once we gather your feedback, we will update this list accordingly.
Yonkers, NY
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Key Features:
Vibrant • Convenient • Urban
30-minute commute time
Our Notes:
Known as “The Sixth Borough”, Yonkers has a walkable urban feel and a quick 25-minute ride to the city. With a recent boom of new construction, its downtown has positioned itself as a popular area for millenials to relocate. Outside of downtown, there are a mix of Victorians, single-family homes and townhomes. Most recently, Northwest Yonkers has seen a rise in supply of luxury apartments and condos that provide buyers and renters with the best of suburbia and urban living.
Tarrytown/
Sleepy Hollow, NY
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Key Features:
Lively • Historic • Scenic
40-45 minute commute time
Our Notes:
Named one of "America's Prettiest Towns" in Forbes, Tarrytown is a walkable village along the Hudson. It's downtown is one of the larger of the Rivertowns with many dining and recreational opportunities. Neighboring Sleepy Hollow boasts historic significance and plenty of access to nature. From recent new construction developments to walkable suburban neighborhoods, there are appealing housing options for all.
Ossining, NY
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Key Features:
Diverse • Accessible • Historic
49-minute commute time
Our Notes:
Ossining is an architecture junky’s haven, with its walkable downtown having historic buildings and repurposed structures. Its diverse nature and evolving community have recently drawn young professionals who want the river views without the big price tag. A mix of modest to large homes, new construction rentals and multi-family homes make this an appealing village for first-time home buyers.
White Plains, NY
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Key Features:
Urban • Convenient • Community Oriented
39-minute commute time
Our Notes:
As the commercial hub of Westchester, White Plains is full of diverse living opportunities where residents can enjoy ultimate convenience. Within the city, you can choose from a moderately priced co-op to a high-end condo. Outside of the downtown area, tree-lined streets create a beautiful suburban scene with single-family Tudors, Colonials and modern Ranches that range from million-dollar estates to modestly priced homes.
Mount Pleasant, NY
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Key Features:
Friendly • Suburban • Convenient
47-55 minute commute time
Our Notes:
Mount Pleasant encompasses the hamlets of Valhalla, Thornwood and Pocantico Hills as well as the village of Pleasantville. These centrally located towns boast tight-knit communities and strong schools. You can find moderately priced homes ranging from capes, split levels and raised ranches dating from the mid-20th century or later. With under an hour's commute, these towns attract many buyers who still want NYC within reach.
Mount Kisco, NY
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Key Features:
Lively • Pastoral • Nature-Oriented
60-minute commute time
Our Notes:
Downtown Mount Kisco is a commuter’s hub full of entertainment and its many businesses help ease some of the residential property taxes. The market in Mount Kisco is diverse and appealing. Towards the center of town you will find apartments, condominiums, co-ops and townhomes. The neighborhoods throughout include century old Colonials, stately Victorians, newer single-family homes and large estates.
New Rochelle, NY
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Key Features:
Urban • Convenient • Accessible
37-minute commute time
Our Notes:
Downtown New Rochelle has seen a recent boom of new developments attracting young commuters to its vibrant city lifestyle and known walkability factor. Within the neighborhood, you can find stately historic homes from the 19th century, newly built condominiums, turn-of-the-century apartment buildings, and multi-and single-family homes.
Mamaroneck, NY
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Key Features:
Laid-Back • Lively • Community-Oriented
43-minute commute time
Our Notes:
A coastal community with a laid-back vibe and lively downtown. Within the village you can find everything from new luxury apartments to charming ranches and modestly priced family homes. The highly regarded Mamaroneck Union Free School District is also a great source of pride for this close-knit community, attracting commuters with young and growing families.
Stamford, CT
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Key Features:
Vibrant • Convenient • Nature-Oriented
43-minute commute time
Our Notes:
Stamford has an unapologetic urban vibe balanced by an abundance of outdoor space and room for activities. It offers the best commute in CT, with an express train to Grand Central Station is approximately 45 minutes. With a vibrant downtown, a host nearby amenities, 19 miles of shoreline and over 40 parks and recreational centers, there is plenty for residents to enjoy right at home.
FEATURED RESOURCES
THINGS TO CONSIDER IN WESTCHESTER VS. CT
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Both Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT provide plenty of housing and lifestyle options but these two counties also have some significant differences. While we encourage everyone to do their own research, here are a few factors that you may want to consider when deciding between these two NYC suburbs.
EXPLAINING TAXES IN WESTCHESTER AND CT
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A key difference between Westhester and CT are the way that property taxes are calculated. If you’re considering purchasing a home in either County, it’s important to understand how the property taxes work, as they are a significant factor in calculating your monthly mortgage payment.
THE HOME BUYING PROCESS
FROM OFFER TO UNDER CONTRACT
Throughout the process, we're going to break down each phase of the home buying journey for you. The following is a general guideline of what to expect from an offer to under contract. We want you to feel fully prepared for each step of the way.
Placing an Offer
Once you find a home you want to make an offer on, we will guide you on appropriate terms and price point. Your offer will need to be accompanied by a pre-approval or proof of funds for the purchase. In New York, all offers are non-binding, meaning no documents are signed and no earnest money deposit is exchanged. The seller is free to listen to other offers until contracts are signed. In Connecticut, it's common to use a "binder" which indicates the terms of the offer and is signed by both parties, but despite its name, it's actually non-binding and neither party is bound until formal contracts are signed.
Inspection Period
If your offer is accepted, you then enter into an inspection period. You will hire an inspector to perform engineering and other desired tests (water, septic, radon, termite, etc). The purpose of this period is to inspect the condition of the home and help you make informed decisions. Based on any discoveries, you can either proceed with the deal, negotiate the price based on any repairs needed, or back out. Expect to pay around $1,000 depending on the number of tests performed. If you back out of the deal, this cost cannot be recovered.
At this point you will also want to engage an attorney. If you don't have one already, we can provide recommendations.
Contract Signing
If inspections are deemed satisfactory and you proceed with the deal, the seller's attorney will draft a contract. Your attorney will schedule a time to review the contract with you and handle any requested revisions. Once the contract is finalized, it will be sent to you for signature. At this point, you will give a 10% contract deposit made payable to the seller’s attorney who holds it in an escrow account until the closing. A fully executed contract will be provided to you for submission to your lender for the mortgage process.
The Ursini Team at eXp Realty
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
If you have any questions, feedback or updates, please reach out to us.
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Christa Ursini
New York Lead
christa.ursini@exprealty.com
(914) 893-0095
Brittany Ursini
Connecticut Lead
(203) 253-5009