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

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!

West Babylon NY Sold Homes - August 2011

Two homes sold in West Babylon NY in the last two weeks:

508 Bedford Avenue West Babylon  - This Two-Story home has 8 bedrooms and 15 rooms.  Listed for $419,000 and sold for $408,000. On the market for 123 days. List price to sold price ratio: 2.6%

1472 14th Street West Babylon - This High Ranch home has 4 bedrooms and 8 rooms with a 2 car attached garage and a full basement. Listed for $449,000 and sold for $420,000. On the market for 50 days. List price to sold price ratio: 6.5%.

West Babylon NY Homes For Sale:
Nine homes came onto the market from 8/1/11 to 8/14/11

Currently, there are 122 homes for sale in West Babylon. Prices range from $99,999 to $739,000. Buyers have plenty of homes to choose from in West Babylon!

Thinking of selling your West Babylon NY home? Call me today (631) 703-0201 and we will discuss how my unique marketing plan will work for you!

Buying a home in West Babylon NY? Search West Babylon NY homes for sale below:

West Babylon Sold Homes - Homes for Sale West Babylon NY

Four homes sold in West Babylon last week:

49 Pitcher Street West Babylon  - This Hi-Ranch home has 6 bedrooms and 11 rooms with a 2 car detached garage and no basement. Listed for $225,000 and sold for $182,000. On the market for 98 days. List price to sold price ratio: 19.1% It was a short sale.

678 Outlook Avenue West Babylon - This Colonial home has 3 bedrooms and 7 rooms with no garage and no basement. Listed for $227,900 and sold for $201,000. It was an REO property. On the market for 82 days. List price to sold price ratio: 11.8%.

164 Silver Street West Babylon - This Ranch home has 3 bedrooms and 7 rooms with a 1 car attached garage and a full, finished basement. Listed for $275,000 and sold for $257,000. It was a short sale. On the market for 49 days. List price to sold price ratio: 6.6%.

116 Essex Street West Babylon new construction - This new construction Colonial home has 4 bedrooms and 8 rooms with a full, unfinished basement and no garage. Listed for $295,000 and sold for $260,000. On the market for 394 days. Originally listed for $359,000 then a price reduction to $305,000 and another reduction to $295,000. List price to sold price ratio: 11.9%

West Babylon NY Homes For Sale:
Two homes came onto the market last week.

Currently, there are 192 homes for sale in West Babylon. Prices range from $99,999 to $739,000. Buyers have plenty of homes to choose from in West Babylon!

Thinking of selling your West Babylon NY home? Call me today (631) 703-0201 and we will discuss how my unique marketing plan will work for you!

Buying a home in West Babylon NY? Search West Babylon NY homes for sale below:

West Babylon Recent Sold Homes - Week Ending 7/17/11

Two homes sold in West Babylon last week:

109 Muncy Avenue West Babylon  - This Ranch home has 3 bedrooms and 6 rooms with a 2 car detached garage with a full, unfinished basement. Listed for $299,000 and sold for $285,000. On the market for 53 days. List price to sold price ratio: 4.7%

56 Albemarle Avenue West Babylon - This Expanded Ranch home has 5 bedrooms and 9 rooms with a 1 car attached garage and full, unfinished basement. Listed for $349,000 and sold for $325,000. On the market for 44 days. List price to sold price ratio: 6.9%.

Currently, there are 195 homes for sale in West Babylon. Prices range from $99,999 to $739,000.

The chart below shows where the West Babylon NY real estate market was in 2007 to the 2nd quarter of 2011:

Search Homes For Sale in West Babylon below: