Sharon FronkRealtor® · Howard Hanna
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Buyer Resources
Buy with confidence.
One of the biggest decisions you'll ever make, made simpler. Real tools, real local programs, and a real person on the phone when you have a question.
14+Years in the Capital Region
200+Homes sold
5.0★Verified client rating
Your buyer command center
Everything you need, in one place
Each tool below is built for Capital Region buyers: interactive, free, and no email gate. Jump in wherever you are in the process.
Run the numbers
Monthly payment, affordability, and rent-vs-buy calculators. Move the sliders, watch the math update live.
Open calculators Interactive mapSearch homes on the map
Every active listing across the Capital Region, with filters for price, beds, type, and open houses.
Open map search Get aheadGet pre-approved
Understand pre-qual vs. pre-approval, prep your documents, and connect with a trusted local lender.
Prep for pre-approvalExplore communities
Clifton Park, Saratoga, Albany, Bethlehem and beyond. The feel, the commute, the school district, and what homes actually cost.
Browse communities No email requiredNeighborhood matcher
Five quick questions point you to the three Capital Region towns that fit how you want to live.
Take the 60-second quiz Swipe to searchDiscover
Swipe through Capital Region listings to build a shortlist of homes that match your taste.
Start swipingOpen houses
This week's open houses across the region. Filter by town and add any one straight to your calendar.
See what's open Get aheadComing Soon homes
Listings entered in the MLS before showings begin. See them early and line up a first-day tour.
Get the first lookJust ask Sharon
No question is too basic. A 15-minute call usually answers more than an hour of reading online.
Start a conversationThe homebuying journey
Six steps, at your pace
We move on your timeline, not anyone else's. Here's the whole path, start to finish.
01
Get pre-approved
Talk to a lender before you shop. It tells you exactly what you can afford and signals to sellers your offer is serious.
02
Define your wish list
Location, schools, yard, commute. We separate the true must-haves from the nice-to-haves so the search stays focused.
03
Search & tour homes
I set up custom searches, schedule showings around your calendar, and help you see past staging to the bones of a home.
04
Make an offer
Found the one? I structure a competitive offer using comps, market data, and a decade-plus of local negotiating.
05
Inspections & diligence
I line up inspectors, walk results with you, and negotiate repairs or credits. No surprises waiting at closing.
06
Close & get the keys
I review every closing document with you, coordinate the attorney and lender, and hand you the keys. Welcome home.
Run the numbers right here
Pick a calculator. Move the sliders.
The math updates as you go. No email signup, no gating, just real numbers to think with.
$350,000
20% · $70,000
6.5%
Estimated monthly payment
$2,397
on a $280,000 loan
Principal & interest$1,770
Property tax (est.)$525
Homeowners insurance$102
Estimates only. Real numbers vary by lender, county, and program. Confirm with a licensed lender before deciding anything.
New York buyer programs
You may qualify, even if you think you don't
The lender runs the math; Sharon helps you understand what each one actually means for your offer and your monthly payment.
SONYMAFirst-time buyers
State of New York Mortgage Agency. Low down-payment options including Achieving the Dream and Low Interest Rate programs.
SONYMA DPALDown-payment help
Down Payment Assistance Loan: statewide help with your down payment and closing costs, paired with a SONYMA first mortgage. Forgiven after ten years in the home.
USDA Rural0% down
Zero-down financing for eligible rural areas. Much of Saratoga, Schoharie, and Washington counties qualify.
FHA3.5% down
Low down payment with flexible credit guidelines, often the best fit for limited savings or a thin credit file.
VA LoanVeterans & active duty
0% down, no PMI, and competitive rates. Sharon walks every VA buyer through the process personally.
ConventionalAs low as 3%
The standard path with as little as 3% down for qualified buyers, with PMI that drops off as you build equity.
Don't see your situation here? There are programs for first responders, teachers, USDA Direct, and FHA 203(k) renovation loans. The right fit depends on your specifics. Tell Sharon and she'll point you the right way.
Ask about programsFirst time? Read this.
Your first home is a big deal. We'll treat it like one.
I explain everything in plain English, answer every question no matter how "basic" you think it is, and make sure you feel confident at every step. No pressure, no rush. Your timeline is the timeline.
Common questions
The things buyers actually ask
It depends on the loan type. FHA loans require as little as 3.5%* down, VA and USDA can be 0%* down for qualifying buyers, and conventional loans typically run 5-20%*. Plus 2-5%* in closing costs. The affordability calculator on this page gives you a personalized number.
From starting your search to closing typically runs 2–4 months*. Once you're under contract, closing usually takes 30–45 days*. Pre-approval shaves weeks off.
Most conventional lenders want 620+*, FHA can go down to 580*, and VA loans often work with even lower scores. Talk to a lender. They can frequently work with situations buyers assume disqualify them.
Buyer-agent compensation is now negotiated as part of the transaction. I'll walk you through exactly how it works and what your options are before we even step inside a house.
Don't make major purchases (car, furniture), open new credit cards, change jobs, or move large amounts of money between accounts. Lenders re-verify everything in the final days before closing.
They vary widely by county and school district. Saratoga County is among the lowest in the region (~1.3%* effective), while Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady run higher (2.4-2.6%*). The property-tax calculator on this page can give you a county-specific number.
* Figures marked with an asterisk are general guidance and change frequently. The full disclaimer at the bottom of this page applies.
5.0
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars
“We cannot say enough good things about Sharon, always there with you from the first day to the closing. Sharon would go above and beyond to make every transaction smooth and organized.”
JW
Joni W.via Zillow · Jan 2026
5 out of 5 stars
“Sharon is an incredible real estate agent! Throughout my home-buying journey, she was patient, kind, and always there to support me through the ups and downs. Her dedication and care made the entire process so much smoother.”
VB
Verified Buyervia Zillow · Nov 2024
5 out of 5 stars
“Honest. Intelligent. Responsive. Thorough. Empathetic. Sharon recently helped us on an involved property purchase. Can't say enough great things about her. She is outstanding. Highly recommended.”
BN
Brian & Nancy Donohuevia Zillow · Oct 2020
Let's talk
Ready when you are.
A 15-minute conversation usually answers more than an hour of reading. No obligation, no pressure, just real talk about whether the timing is right for you.
Disclaimer. The calculators, programs, percentages, and figures on this page are general educational guidance only. They are not a quote, an offer of credit, tax advice, or legal advice, and they change frequently and vary by lender, county, school district, loan program, and individual circumstance. Confirm current numbers with a licensed lender, attorney, and your real estate agent before making any decision. Sharon Fronk is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Howard Hanna Capital, Inc., and is not a mortgage lender.