Why you should buy their house in Huntington

Thursday February 14, 2013 12:00 PM By Ann Smukler

Photo credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan | Frank and Norma Gaeta in the family room of their Huntington house, which overlooks the Cold Spring Harbor Country Club golf course. The house is on the market for $719,000. (Jan. 31, 2013)

Sellers. Frank and Norma Gaeta

Address. 3 Lilac Ct., Huntington

Asking price. $719,000

The competition. A three-bedroom, 2½-bath ranch on a 0.43 acre lot on Colonial Drive is listed for $589,000.

Recent sale in the area. A five-bedroom, five-bath Colonial next to the Cold Spring Country Club sold in September for $817,000.

Taxes. $17,152

Time on the market. On and off since June

Listing agent. Joy R. Buscemi, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Huntington, 631-499-9191

Why it’s for sale. Frank, 84, worked 36 years at NBC, where he directed a soap opera before retiring. His wife, Norma, 80, owned and operated a quilt shop in Cold Spring Harbor. They are planning to downsize to a condominium.

The Gaetas have owned their expanded ranch 37 years. It is about 2,700 square feet and has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, den, eat-in kitchen and formal dining room. Amenities include central air conditioning and a two-car garage. Frank chats about the appeal of the home:

“We have a 19-by-30-foot den, which has a fireplace and wet bar. We spend most of our time between the kitchen and the den, and they both overlook the Cold Spring Country Club golf course. ... We enjoy beautiful sunsets and sunrises on the golf course, and our property overlooks the ninth hole. ...

"We have two fireplaces, one in the living room and the other in the den. We did quite a bit of entertaining ... There are hardwood floors throughout the house. We have a full, unfinished basement and there are provisions down there for heat. The house is on a cul-de-sac, and we have no traffic at all.

"We’re on about two-thirds of an acre. We have a bluestone patio, and the golf course looks like it’s your own property ... There’s a pond within walking distance from here ... and adults and kids really enjoy that when it freezes. You can sleigh ride on a small hill behind the house.

Tags: Why You Should Buy Their House , Huntington , Douglas Elliman Real Estate