Real Estate News You Can Use!: New York: West Babylon

West Babylon NY Housing Market 2011

Overall, the West Babylon NY housing market saw a 0.34% increase in the median sales price since January 2011. Let's look at the West Babylon NY housing market since January 2007:

2007 - 12.63% decrease
2008 - 16.04% decrease
2009 - 1.67% increase
2010 - 4.67% decrease
2011 - 0.35% increase

Since January 2007 to December 2011, the West Babylon NY housing market decreased by 31.06%.

The West Babylon NY housing market saw the worst in 2008 with a 16.04% decrease and saw the best in 2010 with a 4.67% increase.

Since the quarterly median sales prices of 2011 stayed fairly tight, I'm hoping that 2012 will be the year for stabilization for the West Babylon NY housing market. When stabilization occurs, it will stay that way for a while. Do not expect a sellers market in 2012.

West Babylon NY Buyer Activity:
2011: 107 homes sold. 16 of them were short sales.
2010: 119 homes sold. 13 of them were short sales.
2009: 133 homes sold. 8 of them were short sales.
2008: 101 homes sold. No short sale homes sold in 2008.
2007: 131 homes sold. No short sale homes sold in 2007.

When I show homeowners this data, they realize the West Babylon NY housing market isn't "bad". When you watch the news, they report about the real estate market nationally. Real estate is local and always will be.

Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund - Donate What You Can

You may have heard that NYPD officer Peter Figoski was killed in the line of duty earlier this week. He leaves behind four daughters, two are in high school and two are in college.

Peter Figoski was responding to an armed robbery in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn NY. He was shot in the face once and passed away a few hours later. With 22 years on the job, he made over 200 arrests and received 12 medals. One of them is the Exceptional Merit Award for coming under fire in a brush in the early 1990's with a man who was later convicted as the city's copycat Zodiac killer. I remember that one.

The Peter Figoski Scholarship Fund was created for his four daughters to pay for their college education. You can donate as much as you want/can. I know times are tough for some but whatever you can do will be appreciated I'm sure! Or you can mail your check to:

New York City Police Foundation
Attention Peter Figoski Fund
555 5th Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10017

I think we forget that our police officers are always putting their lives at risk to keep us safe. They may not be under fire all the time like our soldiers do during wartime, but they are targets for criminals. As soon as a police officer is out on the street, they are risking their lives. Whenever they do a car stop, they are risking their lives. Even when they answer a domestic violence call, they are risking their lives.

With that said, keep Peter Figoski's daughters in your thoughts and prayers.

West Babylon NY Housing Market - Week Ending 11/27/11

One home sold last week in West Babylon NY:

763 Centerwood Street West Babylon NY 11704 - This is a 5 bedroom, 12 room Colonial. Listed for $329,000 and sold for $310,000. On the market for 33 days. List price to sold price ratio: 5.8%

There are 99 homes for sale in West Babylon NY in the West Babylon School District. Prices range from $174,500 to $950,000.

94 homes have sold in West Babylon NY in the West Babylon School District since January 1st, 2011. Sold prices range from $125,000 to $457,500.
Average days on the market: 121
Average property taxes: $8,564.
Average sold price: $287,200

West Babylon NY Median Sold Price by Quarter for 2011:

The West Babylon Housing Market in 2010 was stabilizing. 2011 is a little more erratic but we need to see how 2012 is going to be. I really feel the housing market for West Babylon NY will stabilize in 2012. 

Call me today (631) 703-0201 to schedule an appointment for a free, no obligation market analysis for your home.

All data in my charts is from the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island.

How To Winterize Your Long Island Home

Yes, it's that time of year again my lovely readers. Fall is here but before you know it, the temperatures will begin to drop. It's time for you to work on winterizing your Long Island home before the cold weather sets in.

Below are some tips to help you get started:

Exterior - Chimney

• Inspect chimney cap. If missing or damaged, replace it. You don't want little critters making a home in your chimney.
  

• Have your chimney swept. Especially if you haven't done so in a long while.

• Inspect brickwork on the chimney.

Exterior - Windows & Doors

• Replace cracked windows.

• Caulk around windows if the present caulk has worn or is missing.

• Take screens out and replace them with the storm windows.

• Check vinyl siding. If some are missing try to replace.

Exterior - HVAC System

• Cover the outside unit. You can get covers from Home Depot or Lowe's. This does help with drafts.

Exterior - Roof

• Always a good idea to check for loose and missing shingles. Easy to replace. We all know the effects the strong winds on Long Island can have during the Winter!

Interior - Heating System

• Have a professional inspect and maintain your heating system & water heater. If something needs to be replaced, do it now.

• Now is a good time to get a water heater blanket. Inexpensive and it really helps your water heater unit to be more cost effective.

• If you have a HVAC system, buy more filters and change them every 3 months. Check on them monthly just in case you may have to change them sooner.

Interior - Closet & Utility Doors/Windows

• Install draft protectors that go under the bottom of the door. Especially the door to the basement and utility rooms.

• Keep blinds/window treatments closed at night. This will help with drafts.

• If you have older windows, consider sealing them with a plastic covering kit. This is where you use your blow dryer to shrink it. I remember years ago renting an apartment and I had to do that. it made a world of difference!

Interior - Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Here in the Town of Babylon, there has to be 1 smoke detector in every bedroom and in the hallway where the bedrooms are. Also, there has to be a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of the home. Law or not, this is always a good idea! And this includes the basement.

• Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries or replace the unit(s) if they are not working at all.
  

Automobile Must Haves!

• Shovel - just in case you are in a snow bank or that slushy snow you can't get out of.

• Cardboard - this is great to have to place under your tire to give you more traction.

• Sand - again, great for traction.

• Rock Salt - if you are stuck on ice, this is a great way to melt the ice around and under your tires.

• Flashlight - you need to see what you are doing in case you are stuck.

• Blankets - heaven forbid you are stranded for a long period of time, make sure you have a few heavy blankets on hand.

• Bottled Water - never a good idea to have no water if you are stranded. Keep the small bottles on hand. If you get stuck they take less time to melt if they are frozen.
  

• Spare Tire - check to make sure your spare is not flat or worn.

• Ice Scrapers - have a few in your trunk just in case one breaks.

• Spare Winshield Wipers - make sure they are the heavy duty winter wipers.

• Portable Radio - make sure the batteries are working.

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your week!

West Babylon NY Housing Market - 3rd Quarter Sold Homes for West Babylon NY

The West Babylon NY housing market quarterly median sold price faired better than the end of the 2nd quarter 2011.

When we compare the first quarter of 2007 to the 3rd quarter of 2011, the West Babylon median sold price has decreased by 29.61%. That is a little over 7% per year.

26 homes sold during 3rd quarter in West Babylon NY. Sold prices range from $180,000 to $420,000 with the majority being in the mid $200,000 range.

Median sold price: $287,500. Average days on the market: 105. List price to sold price ratio: 5.25%

Call me today (cell: 631-703-0201) to find out what your West Babylon NY home is worth in today's market.

Direct Postcard Mailing Works!

Direct postcard mailings do work only if you are consistent. I got the following listing because of it:

The listing was a 1 bedroom coop unit in West Babylon NY. Sold it in 72 days. If I didn't send postcard mailings there every other month, this homeowner wouldn't have known I existed even though I used to live there and moved out 4 years ago. He had no idea I was in real estate until he received one of my postcard mailings. And, he also hired me to help him buy a new home.

It costs me $50.00 per mailing six times per year. That is $300.00 per year and it more than pays for itself with just one listing received and sold.

I know some say direct postcard mailings do not work. Do you do it consistently? If you answer no, then that is why it doesn't work. It didn't "kick in" for me right away but it did three months later.

Here is the postcard I used:

So, be consistent and it will work if you want it to!

This Little Guy Cooperated For The Photo Shoot!

Last week I was working from home and kept hearing "animal" noises outside. I went onto my deck with my camera and listened to where the sound was coming from. I put the camera on digital zoom and found this squirrel just sitting in the tree making his voice known. Not sure why he was making sounds. He wasn't eating and his tail was up against his body which means he didn't feel in danger. I looked up what their different sounds mean: Common Sounds Squirrels Make

By looking at that list, he was making a cutting sound. Maybe he was pooping because he wasn't eating, lol.

He certainly cooperated for me. I took a bunch of photos and posted the best ones. I should have used a tripod to keep the camera more steady but I figured he would leave if I went to find it.

Wordless Wednesday - We Do Have Beautiful Sunsets on Long Island

I took these photos from the front of my home last week. It's rare to see sunsets like this. I've always admired how beautiful sunsets are in other parts of the country. Our sunsets and surises on Long Island are more beautiful to see on the Eastern end of Long Island where the land is more low lying and of course from the beach.

So much for wordless wednesday!

Fisherman's Wharf West Babylon NY
152 Millard Avenue
Estimated Monthly Mortgage Payment

I have a new listing at 152 Millard Avenue in West Babylon.

Below is a chart to show you your estimated monthly mortgage payment for 152 Millard Avenue West Babylon NY:

If this West Babylon NY coop sold for $200,000 this is what your estimated monthly mortgage payment would be.

The coop Board at Fisherman's Wharf in West Babylon requires all buyers to put down a minimum of 15%. Your bank may want you to put 20% down given how your credit is.

So, with 15% down your estimated monthly mortgage payment would be $1,956. That is the average cost to rent a 2 bedroom apartment in Lindenhurst NY and West Babylon NY. With a coop, it is still an investment for the future.

Open House - Fishermans Wharf West Babylon NY Coops - 152 Millard Avenue

Where:  152 Millard Avenue - West Babylon NY

Date: Saturday, October 8th, 2011

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Fisherman's Wharf in West Babylon is located East of Route 109, south of Sunrise Highway and across the street from the West Babylon High School on Millard Avenue.

Why buy a co-op in Fisherman's Wharf in West Babylon? It'simple. Enjoy not having to come home and mow the lawn, water it and say goodbye to snow removal!

Wouldn't it be nice to come home on a hot Summer day and just jump into the in-ground pool and cool off? That is exactly what I used to do when I lived in Fisherman's Wharf in West Babylon NY. I can't describe how refreshing that is!

Fisherman's Wharf in West Babylon NY is conveniently located to the Babylon train station and takes about an hour to get to Penn Station.

Parking accomodations are ample at Fisherman's Wharf Coops. You will never have to park on the street again. Wouldn't it be nice to just park and enter right into your new home? You betcha it is!

Like to work out but not into getting in your car and driving to a gym? There is a nice workout room in the clubhouse at Fisherman's Wharf. I used to also like walking around the development. The length is apporoximately a quarter mile around.

Have a pet? There are no weight requirements for pets at Fisherman's Wharf in West Babylon. That is the ultimate in being a pet-friendly community!

Like to entertain and have parties? For a nominal fee, you can rent the clubhouse for your special affairs. There is even a pool table in the clubhouse.

Come visit me at the open house on October 8th, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. I hope to see you there!