Westchester County, New York
Selling a home in Westchester County
From the Hudson River towns to the Long Island Sound shore, Westchester sales are shaped by local assessors, co-op boards and three Metro-North lines.
Get my free home valueAbout Westchester County
Hudson, Sound and three rail lines
Westchester County sits directly north of the Bronx, between the Hudson River on the west and Long Island Sound on the east. The county says it covers about 450 square miles, and the 2020 Census counted 1,004,457 residents. White Plains has been the county seat since 1757. The county is a patchwork of cities, towns and villages, and each one keeps its own zoning code and building department.
Metro-North's Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines all run through the county toward Grand Central, so a home's distance to a station is often the first thing buyers ask about. Big county parks include Glen Island in New Rochelle and the Bronx River Pathway. Housing runs from Yonkers apartment buildings and White Plains high-rises to older two-family houses in the cities and larger lots with septic systems in the northern towns.
Seller guides in Westchester County
Homes in Westchester County
What sellers should know
Westchester has a lot of co-ops and condos in the southern cities and around train stations, and single-family houses on everything from small city lots to wooded acreage up north. Co-op sales need board approval, so build in time for the board package and interview. In the northern towns, some homes rely on wells and septic systems, and buyers often ask for water tests and septic records. Shoreline homes on the Sound may sit in a FEMA flood zone, which affects insurance.
Find your real assessor
In Westchester, your city or town assessor sets your assessment, not the county. Check your listing on that local roll before you price, because buyers will look at the taxes.
Name the station
Buyers here shop by Metro-North line. Tell them which station is closest and whether it is on the Hudson, Harlem or New Haven line.
Pull septic records up north
If the home is on a septic system, gather pump-out and repair records. The Westchester County Department of Health oversees septic systems, and buyers often ask.
Check the flood map on the Sound
For homes near Long Island Sound or a river, look up the FEMA flood map first. Knowing the zone early avoids surprises when the buyer's lender orders insurance.
For landowners
Building on your land in Westchester County
Building on land in Westchester is decided locally: each city, town or village has its own zoning code, planning board and building department, and some have architectural review boards. Lots without sewer service also need septic approval from the Westchester County Department of Health. Check those offices before you plan or price any new construction or addition.
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Selling a home in Westchester County: questions
Who sets my property assessment in Westchester?
Each city and town in Westchester has its own assessor. The County Clerk keeps a list of local assessors, and New York State explains how to grieve an assessment if you think it is too high.
What transfer tax applies when I sell?
New York State charges a transfer tax of $2 for each $500 of consideration when the price is over $500, paid when the deed is recorded. Some cities, such as Yonkers, add their own transfer tax, so ask your attorney what applies to your address.
Where are deeds recorded?
Deeds for Westchester properties are recorded with the Westchester County Clerk's land records office, which also has an online search of recorded documents.
Do I need my co-op board's approval to sell?
Yes, in most co-ops the board must approve the buyer. Ask your managing agent for the board package early, because it can add weeks to the timeline.
Official sources for Westchester County sellers
- Westchester County: Cities, Towns and Villages
- Westchester County Clerk: Land Records
- Westchester County Clerk: Land Records Fees (NYS transfer tax)
- Westchester County Clerk: Municipal Tax Assessors
- Westchester County Health Department: Septic Systems
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center