Vintage American Realty
Lesson 1
Long Island Home Buying 101: Your Journey Starts Here
Introduction & Welcome
About Your Guide
Tom Brady
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
Director of Operations
Vintage American Realty, Oakdale NY
15+ years as a Realtor
20 years with NYPD
4 years in U.S. Air Force
House-flipping experience
Welcome to Your Home Buying Journey!
Hi there, and welcome to your home buying journey! I'm Tom Brady, a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker and Director of Operations at Vintage American Realty in Oakdale NY. My daughter (Edana Kiernan) is the owner and Broker of Vintage American Realty, we are a family owned and operated business. I'm absolutely thrilled you've decided to take this important step. Let me tell you a little bit about myself so you know who's going to be guiding you through this adventure.
I've been a full-time Realtor here on Long Island since 2009 – that's over 15 years of helping families find their perfect home. But before I was matching keys to front doors, I spent 20 years serving with the NYPD and 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. Those experiences taught me discipline, attention to detail, and how to stay calm under pressure – qualities that serve my clients incredibly well when navigating the sometimes choppy waters of real estate.
I've also flipped a few houses along the way, so I know what it's like to be on both sides of the transaction. This gives me a unique perspective on what makes a property a smart investment and what potential red flags to watch out for.
Now, before we dive in, let me be crystal clear about something: everything I'm about to share with you represents my opinions, based on my experience. And you know what they say about opinions – everyone's got one! Every single real estate deal is different. If I tell you that A comes before B and then C, I guarantee you'll find exceptions to that rule. But in general, this is how things typically play out, and these guidelines will serve you well in most situations.
Lessons
Secure your financial foundation by getting pre-approved for a mortgage, setting a clear budget for your home search.
Understand your financial comfort zone to ensure your new home aligns with your lifestyle and long-term goals.
Prioritize your desires and necessities to focus your search on properties that truly fit your vision.
Explore different neighborhoods to find the perfect community that matches your lifestyle and preferences.
Partner with a trusted real estate agent who will guide you through every step of the home buying journey.
Navigate the necessary documentation with ease, preparing for the formal aspects of your home purchase.
Embark on the exciting phase of visiting properties and finding homes that capture your interest.
Strategize and submit a compelling offer for the home you've chosen, moving closer to ownership.
Ensure your future home is in excellent condition with a thorough professional inspection.
Work with legal counsel to review and finalize the purchase contract, protecting your interests.
Manage the period between contract signing and closing, completing all remaining requirements.
Confirm the property's condition just before closing, ensuring everything is as agreed.
Celebrate the successful completion of your home buying journey as you receive the keys to your new home!
14. Q&A
Get all your remaining questions answered, ensuring you feel confident and prepared as a new homeowner.
The Reality Check: This is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Let's start with the most important piece of advice I can give you: patience will be your best friend in this process. I know, I know – you're excited, you want to start looking at houses tomorrow, and you probably have Pinterest boards full of dream kitchens. That enthusiasm is wonderful, but here's the reality: finding the right home and getting to closing typically takes 60 to 90 days once you're in contract. Some deals close faster, some take longer, and finding the right house for you? That could happen next week, or it could take several months.
This is why I always tell my clients: this is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, stay hydrated (metaphorically speaking), and trust the process.

Typical Timeline
60-90 days from contract to closing
Finding the right home: varies widely
The Five-Year Rule
The Rule
Here's another crucial piece of advice that might surprise you: If you're planning on staying in your home for five years or less, my honest recommendation would be to rent instead. I know that might sound strange coming from someone who makes a living selling houses, but hear me out.
The Reasoning
Real estate markets can shift suddenly and sharply. You don't want to find yourself in a position where you bought at the peak of the market and then have to sell at the bottom because of job relocation, family changes, or other life circumstances. Real estate is a fantastic long-term investment, but short-term? It can be risky business.
If You're Selling AND Buying
For those of you who already own a home and are looking to move up or relocate, there's really only one key difference in your process: your current home needs to be listed and either close to contract or already in contract before sellers will take your offers seriously. This timing dance requires extra coordination, but don't worry – we'll navigate it together.
Emotion vs. Business: Finding the Balance
Now let's talk about something that every home buyer struggles with: the balance between emotion and business logic. Here's the thing – buying a home is inherently emotional. You're not just purchasing four walls and a roof; you're buying a place where you'll create memories, maybe raise children, host holiday dinners, and build a life.
But you also need to keep your business hat on. That adorable cottage with the perfect reading nook might tug at your heartstrings, but if it needs a new roof, updated electrical, and has a heating system from 1985, the numbers might not make sense.
My job is to help you find that sweet spot where your heart and your wallet can both be happy.
Your Home Buying Process: The Big Picture
Let me give you a quick overview of what this journey typically looks like from start to finish:
Get Pre-Approved for Your Mortgage
Know your budget before you fall in love
Assemble Your Dream Team
More on this in a moment
Start Your Home Search
The fun part!
Make an Offer
Strategy meets negotiation
Conduct Inspections
Knowledge is power (here in Long Island, this happens before contract)
Get Into Contract
The paperwork begins (after we negotiate any inspection results)
Finalize Your Financing
Cross the t's and dot the i's
Final Walk-Through
Your last chance to check everything
Closing Day
You get the keys!
Each of these steps has multiple moving parts, and we'll dive deep into each one throughout this course.
Your Team of Experts: You're Not Alone!
One of the best parts about this process is that you're not doing it alone. You're going to have a whole team of experts in your corner, each playing a crucial role in getting you to the closing table successfully.
Your Local Agent
First, there's me – your dedicated local agent. I'm your advocate, your guide, your negotiator, and sometimes your voice of reason when you want to make an offer on a house that looks perfect but sits on a flood plain.
Mortgage Broker/Lender
Next, you'll need a mortgage broker or lender. These are the financial wizards who will help structure your loan, shop for the best rates, and make sure all your financing pieces fall into place.
Real Estate Attorney
Then there's your real estate attorney. This is especially important here in New York, where attorney review is standard practice. Your lawyer will review contracts, handle the legal aspects of the transaction, and make sure your interests are protected.
Home Inspector
Finally, you'll work with a home inspector. This person is going to crawl through crawl spaces, climb into attics, and thoroughly examine every system in your potential new home. They're worth their weight in gold when it comes to avoiding expensive surprises.
Each of these professionals brings specialized expertise to your transaction, and together, we form an unstoppable team focused on one goal: getting you into the right home at the right price.
Common First-Time Buyer Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Let me save you some heartache by sharing the most common mistakes I see first-time buyers make:
1
Shopping without pre-approval
Don't fall in love with a house you can't afford. Get pre-approved first.
2
Focusing only on the monthly payment
Remember to factor in property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.
3
Skipping the home inspection
This is not the place to save a few hundred dollars. A good inspection can save you thousands.
4
Making decisions based on emotion alone
That perfect kitchen won't matter much if you can't afford the monthly payments.
5
Not researching the neighborhood
Drive by at different times of day and week. What's the commute like? Where are the schools, shopping, and services?
The Emotional Rollercoaster: Buckle Up!
Let's be honest about something: this process is going to be an emotional rollercoaster. You'll experience excitement when you find a house you love, stress during negotiations, overwhelm when dealing with inspections and financing, and hopefully joy when you get those keys.
These feelings are completely normal! You're not just buying a house – you're buying a home and a community. You're choosing the place where your life will unfold, where your children might take their first steps, where you'll shovel snow and plant gardens and maybe argue about whose turn it is to take out the garbage.
My job is to help you navigate these emotions while keeping your best interests at heart. When you're ready to offer full asking price on the first house we see, I might suggest we look at a few more options. When you're feeling discouraged after losing out on a bidding war, I'll remind you that the right house is still out there.
Keypoints
What's Coming Next
Throughout this course, we're going to dive deep into each phase of this process. We'll talk strategy, we'll review real deals, we'll walk through actual inspections, and I'll share stories from my 15+ years in the trenches that will help you avoid pitfalls and make smart decisions.
Remember, knowledge is power in real estate. The more you understand about this process, the more confident you'll feel, and the better decisions you'll make.
So grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let's start turning your home ownership dreams into reality. Your journey begins now, and I'm honored to be your guide.
Welcome to Home Buying 101!
Ready for the next lesson? Let's keep this momentum going!
Thomas Brady SFR, e-PRO, SRES, BPOR,C_REPS
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker/ Director of Operations
Notary Public, Retired N.Y.P.D. Lt., U.S. Air Force Veteran
Vintage American Realty LLC.
1551 Montauk Hwy. Suite E
Oakdale, NY 11769
631-682-8660
TomBradyHomes@Gmail.com