Buying in Old Field: A small waterfront village

Old Field Point Light in Old Field. Credit: Ed Betz
THE SCOOP
Old Field is a “scenic” waterfront village on Suffolk County’s North Shore known for its breathtaking water views, says agent Lynn Sabatelle of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty.
Sabatelle says the location offers privacy and access to boating, fishing and beaches, but residents also have access to all the Three Village community has to offer — including the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, Stony Brook University and the Stony Brook University Hospital.
Sabatelle says most properties more than two acres in size. But there is quite a variety of homes within the village, she says, as some residents renovate smaller homes and others build to suit on the grounds of older, subdivided estates.
Mayor Michael Levine calls Old Field a “special village” with “wonderful neighbors” who take pride in homeownership, so their houses and properties are beautifully kept. Levine has served as mayor for eight years and has been a resident since 1992. He says one of the delights of Old Field living is that so many of the homes are located on the shores of Long Island Sound or Conscience Bay.
Old Field has fewer than 1,000 residents, but Levine says it has its own constabulary and code enforcement staff as well as its own village hall, which is located in what was once the keeper’s cottage of the historic Old Field Point lighthouse. Levine says village hall is the site of monthly community meetings, and the grounds play host to seasonal parties thrown by the homeowners association such as the Menorah- and Christmas-tree lighting in December and an Independence Day party in July.
In addition to the lighthouse, nearby attractions include the Old Field Club, a private tennis, beach and catering facility, and the Flax Pond tidal estuary. The biodiverse, 135-acre salt marsh is used by researchers at Stony Brook University and functions as a marine lab for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Friends of Flax Pond offers lectures, workshops and science programs for the community.
SALES PRICE
Between Dec. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2015, there were 14 home sales, with a median sale price of $882,500, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low price for that period was $365,000 and the high was $2,800,000. During that same period a year earlier, there were seven home sales, with a median sale price of $745,000. The price range was $540,000 to $1,757,000.
SCHOOLS
Students attend Ward Melville High School. In 2014, 66 percent of graduating students earned a Regents diploma with advanced designation, according to a New York State Education Department website. That’s up from 65 percent in 2013.
OTHER STATS
Town Brookhaven
Area 2.1 square miles
ZIP code 11733
Population 918
Median age 52.4
Median household income $249,250
Median home value $982,500*
LIRR to time to NYC From Stony Brook, 1 hour and 26 minutes to 1 hour and 43 minutes at peak
Monthly ticket $377
School district Three Village
SOURCES: 2010 Census; mlslI.com; LIRR;
*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI
RECENTLY SOLD
$1,975,000
Meadow Sea Lane
Originally listed for $1,988,000, this seven-bedroom waterfront Postmodern sold after 149 days on the market. The 1991 home overlooks Long Island Sound, offering 4-1/2 baths, an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room, living room and a master suite with his and hers closets and a private balcony. There’s a fireplace, skylights and hardwood floors throughout the 5,100-square-foot home. The 2.11-acre property features a wraparound porch, inground gunite pool and sprinkler system, and its own 140-foot beach. Taxes are $46,888.
$950,000
Old Field Road
This bayfront Colonial sold for $300,000 less than its asking price after 105 days on the market. The four-bedroom home has 3-1/2 baths, an eat-in kitchen with granite counters, a formal dining room and a living room with a fireplace. There’s a full, finished basement with its own fireplace, wet bar and outside entrance. Recent improvements to the 1949 home include a new roof, updated heating and air conditioningand a new door on the detached two-car garage. The .93-acre property features a deck, slate patio and views of The Narrows of Conscience Bay. Taxes are $27,208.
$700,000
Woodcock Lane
After 476 days on the market, this three-bedroom ranch sold for $195,000 less than its asking price. The 1964 home offers three full baths, an eat-in kitchen and a dining room. Amenities include a master suite, pegwood floors and two fireplaces — one in the living room and another in the great room in the full, finished basement. The wooded corner lot spans three acres, featuring views of Long Island Sound. There’s a 2.5-car garage on the property, which has a porch and rear patio, and comes with beach rights. Taxes are $25,722.
NOW ON THE MARKET
Starter
$935,000
Situated on 2.1 waterfront acres, this three-bedroom Colonial features 3-1/2 baths, a formal dining room and a living room with a fireplace. There’s a sunroom and a pool in the finished, walkout basement. Taxes are $29,808. Lynn Sabatelle, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, 516-241-6200
Trade-Up
$2,988,000
This six-bedroom Colonial has six full bathrooms, two half-baths, a media room, library, three fireplaces, a skylight and hardwood floors. The 2.55-acre bayfront property features multiple terraces and an inground pool. Taxes are $63,788. Katy Anastasio, Laffey Fine Homes, 631-549-5800
High-End
$9,900,000
This six-bedroom waterfront estate offers seven full bathrooms, two half-baths, five fireplaces, two game rooms, a wine room, a gym and a theater. The 7.47-acre property features a gunite pool and granite patio. Taxes are $82,959. Alexia Poulos, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-457-3262
On Multiple Listings
Number of houses 17
Price range $769,000-$9,900,000
Tax range $23,485-$82,959