What Do You Need to Know Before Buying a Home in Westchester County?

Buying a home in Westchester County means hiring an attorney, budgeting for taxes and closing costs, and moving quickly once your offer is accepted.

The short answer

Westchester County follows the New York process, so an accepted offer is not yet a binding deal. Attorneys draft and sign the contract. Budget for closing costs of roughly 3% of the price if you finance, plan for property taxes that rank among the highest in the country, and be ready to book your inspection quickly.

What do homes cost in Westchester County right now?

These figures come from Zillow's county and town pages, updated September 30, 2026. They are typical home values, not the prices individual homes sold for.

• Westchester County overall: typical home value $877,732, up 7.8% over the year. Homes go to pending in around 32 days.
• White Plains: $801,563, up 6.5%. Homes go to pending in around 30 days.
• Scarsdale (ZIP code 10583): $1,604,156, up 11.0%. Homes go to pending in around 23 days.
• New Rochelle: $941,136, up 7.5%. Homes go to pending in around 51 days.
• Yonkers: $701,827, up 7.3%. Homes go to pending in around 39 days.

Prices and speed vary a lot from town to town, so a county number is a starting point, not a prediction for your street. For a closer look at one market, read our post on whether Scarsdale homes sell above asking price.

How does buying a home in Westchester County work?

1. Get pre-approved. Know your budget and monthly payment before you start touring.
2. Make an offer. Your agent submits it, and the seller can accept, counter or decline.
3. Book your inspection fast. Once an offer is accepted, the window to schedule inspections is short, so move quickly.
4. The memo of sale goes to the attorneys. The listing agent sends the price, deposit, financing terms and both attorneys' details to the seller's attorney.
5. Contracts are drafted and signed. The seller's attorney drafts the contract, your attorney reviews it, and the deal becomes binding only when both sides sign.
6. Close. The attorneys handle the final steps with your lender.

Looking across the state line too? We compare how the New York and Connecticut processes differ in our post on buying a home in Westchester vs. Fairfield County.

What closing costs should you budget for?

Buyers in Westchester typically pay about 3% of the purchase price in closing costs if they finance, and about 2% if they pay cash. The main pieces are:

• Mortgage recording tax: 1.3% of the loan amount for one- or two-family homes in Westchester, less $30. Lenders usually cover 0.25%, which leaves the buyer about 1.05%. Yonkers is higher, at 1.8% in total. Cash purchases do not owe it.
• Mansion tax: 1% of the purchase price on residential purchases of $1 million or more, paid by the buyer. Homes priced below $1 million do not owe it.
• Title insurance: roughly 0.4% to 0.5% of the purchase price, paid once.
• Attorney fees: usually a flat fee, often a few thousand dollars.
• Lender fees, appraisal, survey, inspection and recording fees.
• Co-ops and condos: a board application and move-in fees.

Here is a rough example. On an $800,000 home with 20% down, the loan is $640,000. Closing costs come to around $24,000, and about $6,700 of that is the buyer's share of the mortgage recording tax. This is an illustration, and your actual costs will depend on your loan and your property.

What do property taxes look like?

Property taxes are one of the biggest ongoing costs of owning in Westchester. One estimate puts the typical effective rate around 2.2% of a home's market value. On an $800,000 home, that would be about $17,600 a year, or roughly $1,470 a month. Bills vary by town and school district, so ask for the actual tax bill on any home you are considering and add it to your monthly budget.

What should you check before you make an offer?

• The seller's disclosure. In New York, the seller completes a Property Condition Disclosure Statement. The form was updated in March 2024 to add flood-related questions, and the old $500 credit that sellers could give in place of the form was removed. Read it closely and ask your attorney about anything unclear. Our post on what a seller's disclosure is and what sellers have to reveal explains more.
• Your inspection timing. Book it as soon as your offer is accepted.
• Flood risk and insurance costs. Ask what they are before you commit.
• The building's rules, if you are buying a co-op or condo. Most require a board application.
• Your financing. Compare loan types in our guide to FHA vs. conventional loans, look at down payment assistance programs, and learn how rate locks work.

Wondering whether to wait for lower mortgage rates before you buy? We break down the math in our post on whether you should wait for mortgage rates to drop.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to buy a home in Westchester County?
It depends on the town. As of September 30, 2026, Zillow's typical home value for Westchester County was $877,732, with White Plains at $801,563, Yonkers at $701,827 and the Scarsdale ZIP code 10583 at $1,604,156. Closing costs add roughly 3% of the price if you finance.

Do you need an attorney to buy a home in Westchester County?
In practice, yes. In New York, buyers and sellers both use a real estate attorney. The seller's attorney drafts the contract and your attorney reviews it before the deal becomes binding.

Is an accepted offer binding in New York?
No. In New York, an accepted offer is not binding until both sides sign the contract, which the attorneys draft and review after the offer is accepted.

How much are closing costs when buying in Westchester County?
Buyers typically pay about 3% of the purchase price if they finance and about 2% if they pay cash. Costs include the mortgage recording tax, title insurance, attorney fees and lender fees, plus a 1% mansion tax on purchases of $1 million or more.

Who pays the mansion tax in Westchester County?
The buyer pays it. It is 1% of the purchase price and applies to residential purchases of $1 million or more. Homes priced below $1 million do not owe it.

How fast do homes sell in Westchester County?
As of September 30, 2026, Zillow showed homes in Westchester County going to pending in around 32 days. It varies by town, from around 23 days in the Scarsdale ZIP code 10583 to around 51 days in New Rochelle.

Sources

• Zillow home values, updated September 30, 2026: Westchester County, White Plains, Scarsdale (ZIP code 10583), New Rochelle and Yonkers
• Westchester County Clerk: mortgage tax rates
• New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: transfer tax and mansion tax
• New York State Bar Association: Property Condition Disclosure Act changes
• Hauseit: buyer closing costs in Westchester
• Property Tax Almanac: Westchester County property taxes

Thinking about buying in Westchester County? Call or text Steve at (845) 661-3469, or browse Westchester County homes.

This post is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Costs, tax rates and rules can change, so confirm them with your attorney and lender. Market figures are from Zillow and are current only as of the dates shown.

About the author

Steve Scarnati grew up in Mahopac, NY, and is now based in White Plains, NY, giving him a deep understanding of both the northern suburbs and the broader Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield County, CT markets. A graduate of Iona University with a degree in Business Administration, Steve built his career on business strategy and operational leadership, helping others perform at a higher level. In addition to his personal production, Steve previously served in an in-office leadership and management role at a high-performing real estate brokerage, where he coached agents, supported complex transactions, recruited talent, and helped drive overall business growth. Working behind the scenes on hundreds of deals sharpened his ability to anticipate challenges, solve problems quickly, and guide both clients and agents with clarity and confidence.

Today, Steve brings that same steady leadership and strategic mindset to every client relationship. Whether buying, selling, or renting, he acts as a trusted advisor and quarterback, combining market knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and clear communication to help clients make smart, confident decisions at every stage. Steve is an active member of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors and continues to expand his network and resources to better serve his clients. Outside of real estate, he enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.

Contact Steve

Steven Scarnati, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Real Broker LLC. NY License #10401283069 and CT License #RES.0813778. Call or text (845) 661-3469, visit stevescarnatihomes.com, or email through the contact page. Serving Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut.