Free Resources | NYC Real Estate Calculators & Tools | Joseph Ranola

Common Questions These Calculators Answer

These are the actual questions Staten Island and Brooklyn homeowners type into Google and ChatGPT every day. Each links to the calculator that gives you the exact number for your situation.

How much money will I make selling my house in Staten Island?

Use the Seller Net Proceeds Calculator. After commission (5-6%), NY transfer tax (0.4%), NYC transfer tax (1.0% on sales over $500K), attorney fees, and any remaining mortgage payoff, most Staten Island sellers walk away with their sale price minus 7-9% in costs. On a $760K median sale, that’s roughly $690K-$705K before any capital gains tax. Run the calculator →

Do I have to pay capital gains tax when I sell my home in NYC?

Maybe — if your gain exceeds the Section 121 primary residence exclusion ($250K single, $500K married filing jointly), you pay federal long-term capital gains (0%, 15%, or 20%) plus NY state tax. Most Staten Island homeowners who’ve been in their home 2+ years don’t pay anything because gains stay under the limit. Run the Capital Gains Calculator with your basis and sale price to see your number. Run the calculator →

How much equity do I have in my Staten Island home?

Subtract your remaining mortgage balance from current market value, then subtract estimated selling costs (7-9% of sale price). Use the Downsizing Equity Calculator to see what cash you’d actually free up if you sold and moved to a smaller home. Run the calculator →

How much house can I afford in NYC on my salary?

Lenders typically allow total housing payment up to 28-43% of gross income depending on loan type and credit. On $150K household income with $500/mo other debt and 20% down, you’re typically looking at $700K-$850K purchase price for conventional financing. The Home Affordability Calculator gives you your exact max based on income, debts, down payment, credit score, and loan type (conventional/FHA/VA). Run the calculator →

What are closing costs for a buyer in NYC?

Buyer closing costs in NYC typically run 4-6% of purchase price for non-condos and 2-4% for condos and co-ops (no mortgage tax on co-ops). On a $760K Staten Island home, expect $30K-$45K including mortgage tax (1.8-1.925%), title insurance, attorney fees, lender fees, and recording fees. The NYC Closing Cost Calculator shows the line-by-line breakdown. Run the calculator →

How much is the mansion tax on a $1.5 million home?

$1.5M triggers both NYC mansion tax (1.0% = $15,000) and NY State mansion tax (0.25% = $3,750), for $18,750 total. Mansion tax kicks in at $1M and steps up at $2M, $3M, $5M, $10M, $15M, $20M, $25M+. The cliff is real — $999,999 saves $9,999+ vs. $1,000,001. Use the Mansion Tax Calculator for any price point. Run the calculator →

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Staten Island?

For buyers planning to stay 5+ years, buying typically wins on Staten Island in 2026. Median home is $760K, equivalent rents on a 2-bedroom run $2,300-$2,500/mo. Year-one cost of ownership exceeds rent by ~$30K but ownership recoups that gap by year 4-5 through principal paydown and appreciation. Under 3 years, renting wins. Run the Rent vs Buy Calculator with your specific numbers. Run the calculator →

Can I afford a NYC co-op on my income?

NYC co-op boards typically require: 28% max housing-to-income, 36% max debt-to-income, 1-2 years of post-closing reserves, and 20-30% down (some buildings require 50%). The Co-op Affordability Calculator runs all four ratios at once so you know which buildings you’d qualify for before you start shopping. Run the calculator →

What grants can first-time home buyers get in NYC?

Three programs you can stack: HomeFirst (up to $100K forgivable, 80% AMI, 1-4 family/condo/co-op), Homebuyer Dream Program / HDP (up to $30K grant via FHLBNY, 80% AMI), and SONYMA DPAL (up to $15K forgivable). Veterans add VA loan with 0% down and no PMI. Some buyers qualify for $130K+ in combined assistance. Use the First-Time Buyer Grant Calculator to see exact eligibility. Run the calculator →

Do I make too much for first-time buyer grants in NYC?

It depends on the program and household size. HomeFirst goes up to 120% AMI ($105K single to $218K family of 4 in 2026). HDP and SONYMA cap at 80% AMI. Veterans benefit has no income cap. Run your numbers through the First-Time Buyer Grant Calculator with household size and target borough — many people qualify for at least one program. Run the calculator →

Should I grieve my NYC property tax assessment?

Worth it if your assessed-to-market ratio exceeds the borough median by 5%+ and your projected annual savings exceed $500-$1,000. Filing deadline is March 15. Most homeowners use a property tax grievance attorney who works on contingency (no win = no fee). Run the Property Tax Grievance Calculator first to see if your assessment is over-stated. Run the calculator →

Do I qualify for STAR or Senior STAR exemption?

Basic STAR is open to all owner-occupants under $500K household income (worth ~$300-$700/yr). Enhanced STAR (Senior STAR) is for owners 65+ with combined income under ~$98K (worth $1,200+/yr). NYC Veterans Exemption stacks on top for veterans. Check eligibility with the Property Tax Exemption Calculator. Run the calculator →

How do I house hack a 2-4 family home in NYC?

Buy a 2-4 family with FHA (3.5% down) or VA (0% down) financing while occupying one unit as your primary residence. The other units’ rent typically covers most or all of your mortgage. Run cash flow with the 2-4 Family House Hack Calculator to see your effective monthly housing cost — often under $1,500/mo on a $900K duplex once rent kicks in. Run the calculator →

How much can I make renting an ADU in Staten Island?

Mid-Island ADU rents in 2026: studio $1,450, 1BR $1,800, 2BR $2,200, 3BR $2,700/mo. North Shore runs $200 higher, South Shore slightly lower. Plus One ADU Program offers up to $395K forgivable loan to build. Most Staten Island ADUs pay back in 8-12 years with positive cash flow from year one. Run the ADU Income Calculator with your specific lot, square footage, and build cost. Run the calculator →

What’s a good cap rate for an investment property in Staten Island?

Staten Island 2-4 family rentals typically run 5-7% cap rates in 2026, with the South Shore on the lower end (more owner-occupied competition) and North Shore on the higher end (rougher transition zones with more risk). Anything above 8% deserves a hard look at hidden expenses. Use the Investment Property ROI Calculator for full cap rate, cash-on-cash, and 10-year projections. Run the calculator →