Albany is one of the more approachable land banks in the Northeast, for the same reason Pittsburgh is out west: it posts prices. The Albany County Land Bank lists ~1,200 active properties, roughly 1,000 with a posted price — from $100, median around $1,500 — plus a notably high ~380 with a structure.
Priced, and full of actual houses
Two things make Albany stand out among the land banks we track:
- Transparency. Most inventory carries a sticker, so you can shop by price instead of applying blind — unlike an application market like Philadelphia.
- A real house ratio. About a third of its listings have a structure — higher than lot-dominated giants like Cleveland or St. Louis. If you want a building in New York for a few thousand dollars, Albany is one of the best places to look.
Reading the list
- ~1,200 active listings, ~1,000 priced.
- From $100, median ~$1,500.
- ~380 with a structure — as-is, renovation expected.
Sort the live Albany inventory by price to see the range, and filter to structures for the rehab stock.
The buying process
Albany's land bank is explicitly rehabilitation-focused — it wants properties fixed and reoccupied, and its process reflects that:
- Find the property on the map and note the posted price.
- Apply with proof of funds and, for a structure, a renovation plan. Owner-occupants and community-serving buyers are prioritized.
- Expect rehab conditions. As with most land banks, a house can come with a renovation commitment and timeline.
- Budget the whole project. A $1,500 Albany house is a real renovation; check it against the neighborhood value on each listing before you commit.
Where Albany fits
For a New York buyer, Albany is the deepest, most browsable land bank in the state — a priced list with genuine houses, not just lots. Pair it with the New York state guide for the statewide picture and the worth-it verdict before you apply.