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Amsterdam, New York

Amsterdam, NY.

The lender who actually answers - and gets it closed. From first-time buyers on the South Side to multi-family purchases downtown, Brian Marchand makes the mortgage the easy part.

5.0★ average rating
166+ five-star reviews
Local to Montgomery County
Answers days, nights & weekends
Before you dig in — a word from Brian
“Amsterdam has one of the highest tax rates in New York State and one of the lowest price points. That combination confuses people - so let's do the actual math.”
Brian Marchand Brian MarchandSr. Loan Consultant · NMLS #481563
Your Amsterdam loan consultant

Home financing,
the way it should be

Buying or refinancing in Amsterdam shouldn't mean giving up when a file gets complicated. Brian Marchand has helped buyers throughout Montgomery County - from first-time buyers in the city to investors buying two- and three-family homes near downtown.

This is where Brian's persistence stands out. One local buyer put it simply: the team "worked with me in spite of hurdles to get my loan approved."

Been told "no" somewhere else? That's exactly where Brian goes to work. Yes, when other lenders say no.

Brian Marchand, mortgage loan consultant serving Amsterdam, NY
What actually moves your number

Three things that decide
a Amsterdam payment

The highest effective tax rate of any county Brian serves, on some of the lowest prices in the state. Both halves matter.

A high rate on a low price

Montgomery County's effective rate runs about 2.46% - among the highest in New York State. But the county median value is $141,600, so the actual escrow line lands near $290 a month. The percentage looks alarming; the dollar figure usually does not.

Greater Amsterdam School District

The city is served by Greater Amsterdam School District, with surrounding town addresses falling toward Broadalbin-Perth or Amsterdam's outlying districts. School levies typically drive 60% to 70% of a New York tax bill, so the district gets confirmed for the exact address before an offer goes out.

Older stock, renovation money

A large share of the housing here predates 1940. FHA and VA appraisals follow minimum property standards, so peeling paint, unsafe rails, roof life and non-functional systems get flagged and become closing conditions. Where the work is real, an FHA 203(k) or HomeStyle renovation loan finances the purchase and the repairs in one closing.

Getting to know Amsterdam

A snapshot of
Amsterdam, NY

18,200Population
$142KCounty median home value
$63KCounty median household income
~2.46%Montgomery County effective rate

A Mohawk River city with a dense downtown, a restored pedestrian bridge and the most affordable housing stock within 40 minutes of Schenectady. Heavily pre-1940 construction.

Neighborhoods & areas: Downtown Amsterdam · Port Jackson · Hagaman · Town of Amsterdam

Population is a 2020 U.S. Census figure for Amsterdam. Home value, household income and the effective rate are Montgomery County U.S. Census / ACS estimates; town, village and school district figures vary. For general reference only.

The real numbers

What it costs to buy
in Amsterdam

Beyond the sticker price - the monthly math, local property taxes, the school districts and the programs that can shrink your out-of-pocket.

What the escrow line looks like
$142KCounty median home value
~$360Est. taxes + insurance / mo*
  • Property taxes at ~2.46% (est.)$290
  • Homeowners insurance$70
  • Principal & interestRun yours →

*Escrow illustration only. Taxes and insurance estimated against the Montgomery County median value of $141,600; your actual assessment, exemptions and premium will differ. Principal and interest are not shown here because they depend on your credit, loan program, down payment and market conditions on the day you lock — use the calculator or call me for real numbers. Not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Lender.

Property taxes

Amsterdam sits in Montgomery County, where effective rates run about 2.46% - among the highest rates in the state. Against the county median value of $141,600 that is roughly $290 a month before principal and interest. STAR and veterans credits can reduce it.

School districts

The city is served by Greater Amsterdam School District, with outlying addresses falling toward Broadalbin-Perth or Fonda-Fultonville. Because school levies typically account for 60% to 70% of a New York tax bill, the district gets confirmed for the exact address before an offer goes out.

You may not need 20% down

Brian works with 3% & 5%-down conventional, FHA (3.5% down), zero-down VA, plus USDA across much of Montgomery County, and SONYMA first-time-buyer loans with down-payment assistance. First-time buyer? He'll line up every credit you're eligible for.

See loan programs
From upstate New York clients

Real buyers.
Real results.

★★★★★
Brian and his team were awesome and really helped me with a pretty complicated process. Can’t recommend them enough!
AAlexis B.
Verified client · Zillow
★★★★★
Brian explained everything well, was very thorough, and always answered my questions quickly. I would recommend him to everyone.
JJameson P.
Verified client · experience.com
★★★★★
I highly recommend Brian. He consistently provides a five-star mortgage experience for my clients - quick response and deep knowledge.
GGenevieve S.
Verified client · Google

Verified reviews from Google & Zillow · See all 166+ reviews →

In & around Amsterdam

Serving Amsterdam &
Montgomery County

Type in your address to see the real driving distance and time from your doorstep to every town we serve nearby.

Drive times to each town

Enter your address to see the real driving distance and time to every town we serve nearby.

Sorted by drive time - closest first. Tap a town to find it on the map.

Estimates via OpenStreetMap routing - typical driving times, not live traffic.
Good to know

Amsterdam mortgage
questions, answered

Montgomery County's tax rate is 2.46%. Is that a dealbreaker?+
Look at the dollars, not the percentage. An effective rate is the tax bill divided by the home value, so a high rate on a low value can still be a small bill. Against Montgomery County's median value of about $141,600, a 2.46% rate works out to roughly $290 a month - less in dollars than a 1.40% rate on a $347,000 Columbia County house, where the rate is far lower. The rate tells you about the tax base, not about affordability.
Can I buy a two- or three-family in Amsterdam with little down?+
Often yes. If you occupy one unit, FHA allows as little as 3.5% down on a two- to four-unit property, and a portion of the rental income from the other units can help you qualify. That is one of the most effective first purchases available in this market. Pure rentals are investment loans, or DSCR loans that qualify on the rent instead of your income.
Most of the houses I like were built before 1940. Is that a problem?+
Age is not the problem - condition is. FHA and VA appraisals follow minimum property standards, so peeling paint, unsafe stair rails, roof life and non-functional systems get flagged and become conditions of closing. Where the work is real, an FHA 203(k) or HomeStyle renovation loan finances the purchase and the repairs in one closing, which fits this housing stock well.
Why is the tax figure on the listing different from what my lender used?+
Listings often show the seller's bill, which may include a STAR, Enhanced STAR or veterans exemption that doesn't transfer to you. Underwriting qualifies you on the forward-looking figure.
How fast can I get pre-approved?+
Often the same day or the next. You can start your pre-approval online anytime, or book a quick call with Brian.
What loan programs work best in Amsterdam?+
Conventional 3% and 5% down, FHA at 3.5%, zero-down VA, and SONYMA first-time-buyer loans with down payment assistance all get used here. USDA zero-down reaches across much of Montgomery County, which surprises most buyers. See the full lineup on the Loan Programs page.
Are you actually available on nights and weekends?+
It's the single most common thing clients mention. Homes and offers don't wait for business hours, so Brian doesn't either - call or text and you'll hear back quickly, even after hours.