Frequently Asked Questions

A licensed salesperson (agent) must work under a licensed broker. A broker has completed additional education, experience, and state examination requirements and can operate a brokerage. At Reliance America, every agent works under Principal Broker Harry Singh, M.S., who also holds associate-broker-level designations like ABR and CRS.

An experienced agent prices accurately, markets professionally, screens buyers, negotiates on your behalf, and manages the dozens of deadlines between contract and closing. In New York's complex market — co-op boards, attorney review, county-specific transfer taxes — mistakes are expensive. Representation typically pays for itself.

In most transactions, our compensation is paid from the transaction at closing and is always disclosed and agreed to in writing up front, as required by New York law. You'll never be surprised by a fee.

Buyers typically budget 2–4% of the purchase price (attorney, title, lender fees, mansion tax over $1M); sellers typically pay 6–8% including transfer taxes. Co-ops and condos differ. We provide a line-item estimate before you commit to anything.

Insist on a comparative market analysis (CMA) based on recently closed sales — not just active listings, and not a number chosen to win your listing. If two agents give you very different prices, ask each to show the comparable sales behind it. We're happy to be your second opinion: our valuations are free and documented.

Often, yes. Our founder also operates Hudson Property Tax Reduction, Inc., which has been grieving assessments and winning reductions for Westchester and Hudson Valley owners since 2009. A successful grievance lowers your carrying cost — and makes your home more marketable when you sell.

Once you're in contract, typical timelines run 60–90 days for financed purchases (longer for co-ops, which require board approval). Getting pre-approved before you shop is the single best way to shorten the process and strengthen your offers.

Yes. We represent tenants and landlords in residential rentals, and buyers, sellers, and investors in commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family property.