Buying a house in affordable, veteran-friendly Islandia
A fountain near the Islandia Shopping Center on Sept. 8, 2016. The village has made its resident military veterans a priority. Credit: Randee Daddona
In addition to being affordable and centrally located on Long Island, the village of Islandia has made efforts to accommodate and honor war veterans.
“The village has worked to build a greater sense of community through its recognition of our veterans and our annual community events,” says Islandia Mayor Allan M. Dorman, a former Marine and Vietnam War veteran.
The Islandia Veterans Memorial Triangle, at Old Nichols Road and Johnson Avenue, recognizes each branch of the military. Built in 2008, the monument has an eternal flame and a plaque listing the names of village residents who have served. The village opened a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in 2015 and also provides veterans’ parking in the Village Hall parking lot. In addition, there are plans to build a First Responders Recreation Baseball Field, which would be situated across the street from Village Hall.
Islandia, with the Long Island Expressway cutting through the middle of the village, includes parts of the Central Islip, Hauppauge and Connetquot school districts.
In August, the Islandia Village Board voted on and approved a permit to allow a Suffolk OTB casino with 1,000 video lottery terminals. The casino is expected to lease space at the Islandia Marriott Long Island hotel on the North Service Road of the Expressway. The village will receive more than $2 million a year over the next two decades from Delaware North, the company developing the casino. Opponents of the casino have filed a lawsuit to overturn the approval.
The most common housing styles found in the area are ranches and high-ranches, with an entry point of about $250,000, says Dennis McGuire of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.
The area is also known for the Islandia Shopping Center, which includes Walmart, Dave & Busters, and a sports bar.
This three-bedroom Islandia ranch is priced as a starter home. In September 2016, it is listed for $264,000. Credit: Realty Connect USA
CONDOS
There are nine condos on the market, ranging in price from $115,999 to 349,000.
SALES PRICES
Between Aug. 1, 2015, and Aug. 31, 2016, 36 homes sold at a median price of $238,750, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low price for that period was $122,000 and the high was $355,000. During that period a year earlier, 21 homes sold at a median price of $255,000. The price range was $72,000 to $310,000.
This four-bedroom Islandia farm ranch is listed for $299,000 in September 2016. It is considered a trade-up home in the community. Credit: Empire Home Realty of LI Inc.
SCHOOLS
Most students attend one of three high schools: Central Islip, Connetquot or Hauppauge. In 2015, 64 percent of seniors at Connetquot, 58 percent at Hauppauge, and 11 percent at Central Islip earned a Regents diploma with advanced designation. (In 2014, it was 67 percent in Connetquot, 62 percent in Hauppauge, 7 percent in Central Islip.)
OTHER STATS
Town: Islip
Area: 2.2 square miles
ZIP code: 11749
This five-bedroom Islandia farm ranch is considered high-end. It is listed for $385,000 in September 2016. Credit: Century 21 Herrick Real Estate
Population: 3,335
Median age: 40.7
Median household income: $92,583
Median home value: $271,500*
LIRR to NYC: From Central Islip, 62 to 79 minutes at peak
Monthly ticket $377
School district Central Islip, Hauppauge, Connetquot
Sources: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; LIRR;*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI
RECENTLY SOLD
SAMPSON AVENUE, $300,000
After 298 days on the market, this four-bedroom Colonial sold for $15,000 less than its asking price. The 1985 home has 2.5 bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances, a formal dining room and living room, a den and a four-seasons room. The master bedroom includes a full bathroom. In the backyard is a deck that overlooks an in-ground pool. The house also includes a one-car garage. Taxes are $10,933.
SPLIT CEDAR DRIVE, $285,000
Originally listed for $299,987, this five-bedroom farm ranch sold in August after 143 days on the market. The first level of the 1976 home has two full bathrooms, a living room, a dining room, a granite eat-in kitchen and a master suite with a bathroom. Featured on the second level is a sunroom and two bedrooms. There are two more bedrooms on the third-level loft, along with a wood-burning fireplace. Taxes are $9,020.
SUNFLOWER LANE, $258,000
This four-bedroom farm ranch sold for $3,000 below its asking price after 207 days on the market. Built in 1955, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home was completely updated. The renovated kitchen has cherrywood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a center island. New ceramic tile runs through the home, from the foyer to the living room and formal dining room. The house, on a corner lot, includes a two-car garage. Taxes are $11,065.
NOW ON THE MARKET
STARTER, $264,000
This three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch offers an eat-in kitchen with a breakfast bar and a living room and dining room area with hardwood floors. The .26-acre property includes a one-car garage.
Taxes are $9,596. Annie Torres, Realty Connect USA, 516-429-0488.
TRADE-UP, $345,000
This three-bedroom expanded Cape has a living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen and 3 1⁄2 bathrooms, one of which is in the first-level master suite. The lot is 0.46 of an acre. Taxes are $9,566. Nadia Pervez, Dream Realty Group, 631-427-0770
HIGH-END, $385,000
This five-bedroom farm ranch has three full bathrooms, a living room with cathedral ceilings, a granite kitchen and a formal dining room/sunroom. The 0.25-acre property has a heated pool surrounded by a deck.
Taxes are $8,791. Dina Rondinella, Century 21 Herrick Real Estate, 631-662-3822.
ON MULTIPLE LISTINGS
Number of houses: 18
Price range: $129,900 to $550,000
Tax range: $7,500 to $13,056
