Homes you can buy for the median price, or close

If you wanted to buy the most expensive house in either Nassau or Suffolk counties that is currently on the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island website, you'd be purchasing a $29-million, 19-acre bayfront estate in Sands Point with a nine-bedroom Colonial, a tennis court, an in-ground pool and views of Manhasset Bay, Long Island Sound and the New York City skyline.

But if you wanted the lowest-priced home on the market, you would be purchasing a three-bedroom, 1½-bathroom mobile home in Calverton for $8,000.

The price that falls dead center (half the homes are higher and half are lower) at a given moment is the median. In Nassau, the median sales price last month was $420,000 and in Suffolk it was $324,000. But, according to the most recent data released by the Multiple Listing Service, the price that hits right in the bull's-eye -- the median sales price in August for all of Long Island combined -- was $377,500.

What exactly does $377,500 buy on Long Island? Well, depending on where you look, it can snag you the nicest house on the block -- or nothing at all. No homes on the market this month are listed for that exact price, but here is a sampling of active listings in a variety of Long Island communities -- all priced in that middle-of-the-road range of $375,000 to $379,000.

LEVITTOWN, $375,000

WHAT YOU GET FOR THE MONEY. This expanded 1948 ranch has a high-end gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, LG stainless-steel appliances and custom cabinets. Other bells and whistles include a solar-heated hot water system, new hardwood floors, crown moldings, skylights and an alarm system. French doors conceal the washer and dryer, and the home has one fireplace. The roof is new, and the 60-by-100-foot property includes a shed and in-ground sprinklers. "It's a short sale. It's priced very, very well," says listing agent Alex Rubin of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Long Beach. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home is in the Levittown school district.

ANNUAL TAXES. $9,273

CALL. 516-432-3400

FREEPORT, $379,000

WHAT YOU GET FOR THE MONEY. This 1908 home turns on the charm with a wraparound porch, original hardwood floors and original window moldings. "It's a Victorian turn-of-the-century home. It has a lot of character," says listing agent Susan Leshaw of Alan Deblat Real Estate in Baldwin. "It's on a beautiful 50-by-216-foot lot, with just a fantastic backyard," says Leshaw, who is co-listing the property with Robert Gandley. The four-bedroom home has two full bathrooms, a formal dining room and a full basement. It's in the Freeport school district.

ANNUAL TAXES. $11,323.

CALL. 516-377-1111

GREAT NECK, $379,000

WHAT YOU GET FOR THE MONEY. This two-bedroom co-op has two updated bathrooms, hardwood floors and some glossy upgrades, says listing agent Debra Kaufman of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Great Neck. "I think the most striking feature of this apartment is the kitchen," which has porcelain tile flooring, granite countertops, laminate cabinetry and a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Kaufman says. "It's a very big, open kitchen." The unit also features a terrace with southern exposure. There's indoor and outdoor parking, laundry facilities and a superintendent. "It's two blocks south of the train station, so it's a good commuter home," Kaufman says. It's located in the Great Neck school district.

TAXES. The monthly maintenance charge of $1,214 includes taxes, heat and water.

CALL. 516-466-2100.

SETAUKET, $379,000

WHAT YOU GET FOR THE MONEY. This two-bedroom 1850 home is a former schoolhouse that was moved to this location in the historic district of Setauket about 100 years ago, says listing agent Michael O'Dwyer of Virginia A. O'Dwyer Real Estate in Stony Brook. A fireplace and wide-plank pine floors retain the home's historic character, while the cherry and granite kitchen offers modern convenience. The home has 1½  bathrooms and a home office. The third-acre lot includes a separate, heated studio. "The gardens are spectacular. The former owner was an avid gardener," O'Dwyer says. "It's a great location close to the Melville Park and the local library -- a short walk to both. It also borders a county preserve."

TAXES. Annual taxes on the property, which is in the Three Village school district, are $5,008. Taxes with Star are $3,965.

CALL. 631-751-3900

LAKE GROVE,  $379,000

WHAT YOU GET FOR THE MONEY. Homeowner Joseph Brett says he put $100,000 worth of upgrades into this three-bedroom Colonial in the Middle Country school district, including a new roof, central air-conditioning, new garage doors, a large bonus room addition and a new kitchen with Silestone countertops. In addition to the attached one-car garage, the landscaped .22-acre lot includes a detached 2½-car garage and "a huge deck and gazebo for anyone who likes to party," Brett says. The property is listed with Sean McPartland of Keystone Realty USA Corp.

TAXES. $9,600

CALL. 631-486-1126 (agent) or 516-680-2829 (homeowner)

BABYLON VILLAGE, $375,000

WHAT YOU GET FOR THE MONEY. This 1920 home in Babylon Village has three bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms and wood floors. It's a short sale. "This is in the President's Section in Babylon Village, west of Deer Park Avenue, one of the more desirable areas off the water," says listing agent Jo Ann Boettcher of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon. "The other special thing is that it's a Dutch Colonial," she says. "It has updated baths and kitchen." There's a formal dining room and a full basement.

TAXES. Annual taxes on the 50-by-142-foot property in the Babylon school district are $6,871.

CALL. 631-422-7510