HomeFirst one-unit purchase limits range from $661,000 to $732,000 across NYC boroughs, so the borough choice changes the program math.
The right way to compare boroughs is by program limits, property type, transit access, building age, monthly carrying cost, and closing timeline. It is not by who lives there or who a buyer is.
In my 25+ years as a Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker, I have worked with buyers who were approved for assistance but had to reset their search because the property price crossed a program limit.
HomeFirst Limits by Borough
| Borough | One-Unit Existing Home Limit | Property Notes to Review |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | $661,000 | Co-op inventory often drives the under-limit search |
| Bronx | $661,000 | Co-ops and 1-4 family homes require different lender checks |
| Queens | $699,000 | Co-ops, condos, and houses can all appear in the range |
| Brooklyn | $732,000 | Price discipline matters because many listings exceed the limit |
| Staten Island | $661,000 | Single-family and condo options may require different closing cost planning |
Active NYC Listings
Currently available properties across NYC
39 Gramercy Park #5F
Gramercy Park
110 Cabrini Boulevard #CH1
Hudson Heights
Listing information provided courtesy of the Real Estate Board of New York's Residential Listing Service (RLS). Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Sale listings verified. ©2026 REBNY. RLS data displayed by Keller Williams NYC.
How to Compare Areas Without Risky Shortcuts
Use concrete property facts: subway or bus access, commute time to a work address, building type, monthly maintenance or common charges, elevator status, laundry, outdoor space, parking, flood zone, year built, and recent comparable sales. Avoid demographic claims, school ranking claims, and neighborhood character shortcuts.
SONYMA and Borough Searches
SONYMA has its own income and purchase price guidelines. A buyer using both HomeFirst and SONYMA has to fit both sets of rules. That is why the search should start with the lender and counselor, then move into listings.
Use the closing costs guide for cash planning, the co-op vs. condo guide for apartment structure, and the NYC buyer guide for the offer timeline.
Want the Numbers Checked Before You Tour?
Milton Coste, Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker with Keller Williams NYC, can help you compare property type, price range, and cash-to-close before you spend weeks on the wrong purchase path for borough-by-borough program searches.
Schedule a Free Consultation
