Mastic: Affordable homes, development plans, rich history draw buyers
Forge River Marina overlooks the water in Mastic. Credit: Rick Kopstein
THE SCOOP Once a popular spot for city dwellers seeking summertime relief, Mastic is a small hamlet with affordable homes, rich history, access to natural beauty and a soon-to-be burgeoning business scene.
Years ago, Mastic was filled with small bungalows that were later converted to year-round dwellings, said Reade Stewart, an agent with BrookHampton Realty. Brookhaven Councilwoman Karen Dunne noted the hamlet's affordability relative to most other areas on Long Island.
The Mastic/Shirley area boasts Smith Point County Park, a favored spot for surfing, fishing and camping; Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, with an educational enter, hiking and fishing; and the Forge River Boat Club. Mastic is also home to Poospatuck Reservation, a Native American reservation of the Unkechaugi people.
"You have the beaches, you're close to Westhampton Beach," Stewart said. "If you go north, you have the vineyards. There are so many parks. We just feel that there's so much to offer."
Homes along Burney Boulevard in Mastic. Credit: Rick Kopstein
The expansion of the Forge River sewer district, expected to start in early 2025, will bring significant improvements to the area.
"We're going to now have different businesses, sit down restaurants and things that really couldn't be there before because there wasn't the capacity," Brookhaven Councilwoman Karen Dunne said.
Two other anticipated developments: the 100-acre Patriots Preserve park and twin ice hockey rinks on the site of the former Dowling campus, both in neighboring Shirley.
Until 1893, Mastic was known as "Forge," for the iron forge owned by the family of William Floyd, arguably the hamlet's most well-known resident.
When Floyd was 18, his father died and he took on the management of the family's Mastic estate, which produced cattle, sheep, wood, grain and flax. It was also one of the Island's largest enslavers.
Montauk Highway is home to many of Mastic's businesses and eateries. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Serving in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1783, Floyd, who was one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, hid out in Philadelphia as the British made their way to Long Island during the Revolutionary War.
The Floyd family estate, formerly a massive 4,000 acres, is now a 613-acre expanse along the Great South Bay with a 25-room mansion, 12 outbuildings, fields, forest and marshland.
Floyd's legacy also lives on in his namesake William Floyd Parkway, a roadway that runs from the Smith Point Bridge to Montauk Highway in Brookhaven.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
SALE PRICES Between Feb. 1, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024, there were 176 home sales with a median sale price of $430,500, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 251 home sales with a median sale price of $400,000.
OTHER STATS
Population 14,968
Median age 32.8
Median home value $455,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Mastic-Shirley $433
School districts, graduation rate William Floyd (89.2%), Eastport-South Manor (93.3%)
Library Mastics-Moriches-Shirley
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 66
Sources: 2021 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
ON THE MARKET
$549,999
This $549,999 Mastic home sits on 0.32 acre. Credit: Desru Photography
This approximately 1,200-square-foot renovated Colonial has three bedrooms and three baths. Features include an oversized front porch, open floor plan, large kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a fully finished basement. The 0.32-acre property is partially fenced in. Taxes are $9,922. Mohsan Hussain and Muhammad Sher, Best American Homes, 516-792-6252
$450,000
This $450,000 Mastic home has three bedrooms. Credit: Century 21 KR Realty
This 1,075-square-foot ranch has three bedrooms, two baths, an eat-in kitchen and a partially finished basement with home office, recreational and gym areas. It has an energy efficient Buderus hot water heating system and owned solar panels. The 0.14-acre property has three sheds, a chicken coop, fire pit and outdoor grill. Taxes are $6,797. David Liss, Century 21 KR Realty, 631-736-5200.
$385,000
This $385,000 Mastic home contains 1,100 square feet. Credit: EPM Real Estate Photography
This cozy, three-bed, one-bath ranch contains 1,100 square feet and sports hardwood floors, an eat-in kitchen, full unfinished basement and an unfinished attic. The partially fenced-in quarter-acre property has a long, private driveway. Taxes are $6,910. Brad Wilson, Jones Hollow Realty Group, 646-670-8800.
RECENTLY SOLD
$650,000
Sachem Drive
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 1½
Built 1974
Lot size 0.5 acre
Taxes $14,297
+/- List price +$10
Days on market 64
$427,000
Pentmoor Drive
Style Cape
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 1
Built 1952
Lot size 0.5 acre
Taxes $10,076
+/- List price -$22,999
Days on market 47
$282,000
Lafayette Avenue
Style Ranch
Bedroom 1
Bathroom 1
Built 1925
Lot size 0.18 acre
Taxes $4,209.06
+/- List price +$23,000
Days on market 65
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 31
Price range $299,000 to $699,999
Tax range $3,490 to $10,700
