What can Community Realty do for me?

Community Realty helps buyer clients find the right house for the right price. We'll help you:

• Get ready.
• Decide what you're looking for.
• Explain the home buying process.
• Improve your knowledge of options and areas.
• Research homes that meet your criteria.
• Help you find a house more quickly.
• Give you information about new listings that meet your criteria.
• Take you to homes that you're interested in, no matter who they are listed with.
• Point out unnoticed features and faults.
• Figure out what a home is really worth.
• Refer you to reputable home inspectors, attorneys, lenders and others.
• Negotiate on your behalf for the best price possible.
• Accompany you on structural and pest inspections.
• Help you find good financing and special programs that might be available.
• Explain all of your paperwork throughout the process.
• Congratulate you in a home of your own!

How is Community Realty different from other real estate companies?

We specialize in representing buyers, especially first-time homebuyers in our region's cities. We work closely with seven nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods and improving the lives of Capital Region residents. These organizations offer a variety of resources that help our clients succeed. Our agents are salaried. They are evaluated and compensated on the quality of service they provide, not the price of the house you buy. Our goal is your success.

Why are you focusing on homebuyers?

We’ve learned that buyers want someone they can count on, someone to help guide you through the process. We think that many buyers want and need the level of service and trust that is best provided by a buyer’s broker. Community Realty specializes in representing buyers. Our salaried agents can spend time on small or complicated purchases that other agents can not afford to.

Do I have to choose buyer representation to buy a house?

No. You do not have to be represented by a buyer’s agent to buy a house. In fact, less than half of buyers get represented by an agent who is obligated to protect the buyer's interests first. But because buyer representation typically doesn’t cost you anything, it makes sense. Sellers have agents looking out for them. You should too. Before you start shopping for homes, shop for a good buyer's agent.

How does Community Realty get paid for its services?

Buyers chooses whether or not to retain our services and for how long. Then we help find the right home for the right price guide you through the entire process. If the house you buy is listed by another real estate company, we typically earn a “cooperative broker” fee from the seller's agent. You owe us nothing. If the house you choose to buy is not listed by another real estate company, we will ask the seller to consider paying your buyer agent fee as part of the purchase price. 

What else can you do for me?

Our partner organizations specialize in providing a full spectrum of services to homebuyers – and will strive to meet your specific needs. That may include help getting ready, advice about the home buying process, help getting your credit record in shape, accessing special programs for which you may qualify, helping you through the maze of paperwork, and making sure that the house you want is in good shape or can be rehabilitated. We’ll make sure you are treated well as you go about finding a quality, affordable house that’s right for you.

How can you do all that?

We are the product of 160+ years of combined experience in seven organizations. These organizations employ solid, experienced homeownership specialists who teach potential homeowners the ins and outs of home buying and homeownership. We know where the grants are, the special loan programs, and how to get help with the down payment. We are active in city neighborhoods and familiar with opportunities throughout the region. We offer home repair loans, homebuyer education programs, and support homeowners long after you’ve purchased your home.

Who’s behind all this?

Community Realty is a project of the Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region, Inc., a private nonprofit 501c3 organization. In cooperation with six other not-for-profit sponsors we helped create Community Realty. Our partners are committed to strengthening city neighborhoods and can provide a wide range of homebuyer services to our clients. These organizations are located in Albany, Schenectady and Troy. They include:

• Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region, Inc.

• Albany Community Land Trust

• Albany County Rural Housing Alliance

• Better Neighborhoods, Inc.

• Capital District Community Loan Fund

• Community Land Trust of Schenectady

• TAP, Inc.

• Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program

Why are you doing what you do?

We believe that the best way to energize and strengthen neighborhoods is to help people of all income levels buy, live in and maintain the homes in them. We bring successful first-time buyers into the home-buying mainstream and specialize in finding great opportunities and affordable homes in and around our region’s cities.

Does that mean if I’m not a first-time homebuyer or don’t want to buy a house in the city you can’t help me?

No. Our services are available to all homebuyers, regardless of income or previous ownership. We'll help home buyers anywhere in the four counties we work in. We do not typically assist investor purchasers.

Do you provide references?

Of course. Read what past clients have to say about us. View the portfolio of homes our clients have successfully purchased. Please contact us for a list of past client references.

How do I learn more?

Community Realty

255 Orange Street Albany, NY 12210 ph 518.434.1840 fx 518.434.1767

NYS LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER and REALTOR®

(c) 2004-2012