If you're looking to buy in Cedarhurst

By LISA DOLL BRUNOlisa.doll-bruno@newsday.comSeptember 8, 2011

THE SCOOP. Just about everyone who talks about the compact village of Cedarhurst is quick to mention taxes -- in a positive way.

"The commercial district offsets the taxes, and the village keeps a tight reign on the budget," says Don Miller, of Five Towns Miller Realty in Lawrence.

The commercial district has more than 200 shops within a four-block radius. The area also has a train station, houses of worship and eateries, including kosher restaurants. Residents have close access to the airports, the beaches and parkways, says Janet Kalman, of Jan Kalman Realty in Woodmere.

"Our taxes are one of the lowest in 64 villages in the county," says Mayor Andrew Parise, noting most projects, including park improvements, are funded by grants.

Joan Small, of Pugatch Realty Corp. in Woodmere, notes the village is one of the Five Towns communities.

Many of the houses are Colonials that were built in the early 1920s. Since there isn't any land left to develop, builders are buying houses and razing them to build new, Miller said.

Though Small says Cedarhurst is a good starter community, noting almost half the listings are less than $500,000, Miller says the village is up and coming in high-end homes. "The tide is turning," Miller says, "Cedarhurst is catching up to Lawrence and Woodmere."

Most buyers are young Orthodox Jewish couples, Miller says. A lot of Orthodox stores are coming in, Kalman says.

CONDOS AND CO-OPS. 17 between $89,000 and $475,000

SALES PRICE. From Aug. 1, 2010, to Sept. 5, 2011, there were 42 sales with a median price of $460,000 according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low price was $150,000, and the high was $1,425,000. From July 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, there were 37 sales. The median price was $500,000 with a low of $255,000 and a high of $1,045,000.

ATTRACTION. The village park and annual village events, including its summer concerts series. Outdoor movie night is scheduled for Sept. 24.

MORE STATS
Town. Hempstead

Area. 0.7 square mile

ZIP code. 11516

Population. 6,151

Median age. 34.6

Median household income. $87,835

Median home value. $475,000*

LIRR time to NYC. 44 to 52 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket. $223

School district. Lawrence

Sources: Census estimates; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road;