Buying a house is a major life decision
—and you deserve more than gimmicks, pressure, or guesswork.
We’re here to help you cut through the noise and focus on what truly aligns with your long-term goals, so you can make confident decisions every step of the way.
OUR APPROACH
Guiding you from house hunting to dream home living
Looking to buy a home in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, and surrounding areas in the Capital Region?
We know the process can feel overwhelming, especially when things go quiet or the next steps aren’t clear. That’s why from day one to closing day, we help you understand what’s happening (and why) so you never feel left in the dark.
Together, we’ll cut through the noise, weigh your options wisely, and jump on the right home when the moment’s right.
No matter your experience with the real estate market, we meet you where you are:
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First-time buyers who want to feel informed, not overwhelmed
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Experienced buyers navigating new rules and shifting market dynamics
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Busy professionals seeking an efficient, stress-free buying experience
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Fixer-upper seekers evaluating renovation potential with expert insight
THE PROCESS
How we help you find & buy a house you’ll love
Let us help you buy a Home That Fits Your Lifestyle, Budget & Vision
Let’s talk about what you’re looking for!
BEYOND THE SALE
Found a home with great bones but dated finishes?
Not every great home looks the part at first glance. From homes with outdated finishes to fixer-uppers needing serious love, we’ll help you evaluate what’s possible—and what’s worth it.
With Dana’s background in architecture and renovation, you’ll get practical advice on what’s worth upgrading, how much it might cost, and whether it aligns with your goals.
“Dana isn’t only a friendly real estate agent but a patient, flexible, battle-tested home-buyers’ advocate.”
As complete beginners to buying a house, Dana provided expertise and insight that helped us pick and put together an offer for the property that would eventually be ours. When completely unpredictable issues arose after inspections,
Dana expertly managed the process of determining the cost of repairs and ultimately negotiated a very fair reduction in the purchase price. When the coronavirus shutdowns hit as we were about to close, Dana continued to advocate on our behalf to make our move-in happen – despite unbelievable logistical barriers.
Dana didn’t just facilitate a real estate transaction – she was our expert, therapist and friend when things were most difficult. Even after closing, Dana was available to help us with the information and recommendations we needed to make our new house our home. Dana is fantastic and we strongly recommend her.
~ Steven K., Averill Park, NY.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
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Absolutely. If you're a first-time home buyer in New York, we guide you through every step. Before viewing homes, we’ll cover three important questions:
Are you currently working with another real estate agent?
Have you spoken with a loan officer to determine your budget?
What are your goals and must-haves in a home?
Answering these upfront helps us tailor a home search strategy that’s realistic, efficient, and aligned with your goals.
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Yes, as of 2024, all licensed real estate brokers in New York are required to present a written Buyers Agency Compensation Agreement before showing homes. This agreement outlines how we work together, clarifies expectations, and ensures transparency—especially around real estate commissions.
👉 Download our Buyers Agreement Letter/Consumer Guide to learn more.
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A pre-qualification letter is a statement from a lender that they are generally willing to lend to you, up to a certain amount, based on the information you provide about your income, assets, debts, and credit history. This is important because before seeing a home of interest we want to make sure that the ability to purchase is achievable and this letter must be included in an offer.
If you are a cash buyer, you would need to provide a bank statement or bank letter.
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First and foremost you should contact a loan officer for better information regarding your purchasing power. However, let’s simplify it from a real estate broker
Purchase Price + Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) + Closing Costs.
These three amounts can provide you a basic understanding of what you need to purchase a home when applying for a mortgage or using cash.Purchase price is what we want to offer.
An EMD is given to the seller and is used towards the closing costs.
And closing costs are required by the bank.
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At BIH, we know that timing can make or break a deal, especially in a competitive market. That’s why we have a responsive team ready to accommodate your schedule, even for last-minute showings. With multiple agents available to step in when needed, you’ll never miss an opportunity.
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Yes, you have a few items that you should account for when purchasing a home.
Buyers typically cover:
Your earnest money deposit (to be deposited with 72 hours with an accepted offer)
The cost of a home inspection, not limited to other inspections outside the home. (if you choose to have one)
An appraisal fee (required if you’re financing the home)
Homeowners insurance (pay be required to be paid in full as a request of your Loan Officer).
We’ll walk you through each of these so you know what to expect and when.
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Yes, you as the buyer have the ability to do any and all inspections pertaining to a real estate transaction, and we strongly recommend it.
As a buyer in New York State, you have the right to conduct any and all home inspections during the contingency period. If the inspection reveals a major defect (typically a single issue valued over $2,000), you have options: renegotiate with the seller, request a repair credit, or walk away from the deal.Should you choose to cancel the contract due to a qualified major issue, you can request a release of contract and receive your earnest money deposit back—no penalties.
*should I also discuss if they see a home that’s noted as “sold as is”. It’s when a seller doesn’t have the ability to provide any additional credits for repairs, it does not mean the home is full of major just stating that buyers can do inspections but the home is priced to sell with no exceptions.
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When buying a house in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, and surrounding areas in the Capital Region, most real estate transactions take around 60 days from offer to closing.
Once you're under contract, there are three key milestones to coordinate:Mortgage Contingency Date
Home Inspection Deadline
Closing Date
These dates are crucial as they help satisfy lender requirements and keep the transaction moving forward smoothly. While timelines can vary depending on the specifics of the deal, we make sure you stay on track and adjust as needed to avoid unnecessary delays.
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Yes! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by sites like Zillow or Trulia, we’ve got you covered. We’ll set up a personalized home search using our MLS software based on your exact criteria—location, price range, must-haves, and more. You’ll get real-time listing alerts sent directly to your inbox (often before they hit public platforms). We can also set you up with the MLS app and daily updates, so you never miss a home that fits your needs.