If you're thinking of buying in Wyandanch

THE SCOOP Revitalization plans are the talk of this community. "Wyandanch Rising" aims in part to develop a downtown along the Straight Path corridor and create a transportation hub near the Long Island Rail Road station.

"The town has taken the lead to talk to the Long Island Rail Road to develop a parking garage and make the area around the station a major connection for buses and trains," says Charlie Reed, a board member of the Wyandanch Community Development Corp., of the revitalization effort. Sources say a sewer line is needed before buildings along Straight Path can be rehabbed. "We have a water table problem."

"The biggest drawback is the cesspools," says Ira Morley of Century 21 AA Realty in Lindenhurst, adding that with sewers, builders can get permits. Popular housing styles include Capes, Colonials, ranches and high-ranches. About one-third of the inventory is a mix of short sales and foreclosures, says Morley, noting that foreclosures in the $50,000-$60,000 range sell quickly to investors paying cash.

In the past couple of years, the Wyandanch Community Development Corp. - an agency offering comprehensive counseling services to those interested in purchasing or renting a home - has built and rehabbed rental houses.

"You can already see the change in the neighborhood," says Reed, adding, "residents are taking more pride in their homes." Morley agrees: "We see some life coming back to the town."

MONTHLY RENTALS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED SECTION 8 $1,400 to $1,800 a month

SALES PRICE Since last July, there were 60 sales with a median price of $96,450, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low price was $40,000; the high was $265,000. From June 2008 to June 2009, there were 35 sales. The median price was $134,500 with a low of $50,000 and a high of $325,000.

ATTRACTIONS Two parks, including one off Mount Avenue, with basketball and handball courts and picnic areas.

Other stats

Town: Babylon

Area: 4.4 square miles

ZIP code: 11798*

Population: 11,293

Median age: 30.2

Median household income: $48,138

Median home value: $97,900**

Median age of homes: 38*

Percent owning home: 62.2*

Percent renting home: 30.7*

LIRR time to NYC: 49 to 65 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $274

School district: Wyandanch

SOURCES: Claritas 2009; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail

Road

*Includes Wheatley Heights

**Based on sales in the past six months according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island

Recently sold

$122,000

52 S. 20th St. With an original asking price of $137,900, this six-room ranch was on the market 11 days. The sale closed in April. Built in 1974 on a 50-by-100-foot lot, the renovated house features a new kitchen and new bathroom as well as new tile and carpeting. The taxes are $7,790.

$150,000

32 N. 11th St. On the market 308 days with a last asking price of $169,000, this two-family home closed last month. The first and second floor mirror each other with a living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, three bedrooms and one bathroom. There is a full basement as well. The house was built in 1960 on a 70-by-100-foot lot. Taxes are $10,627.

$131,000

21 S. 31st St. This seven-room high-ranch, which was on the market 52 days, closed in May. The original asking price was $139,900. Set on a 100-by-100-foot lot, the house was built in 1985. It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Taxes are $7,619.

 Now for sale

 $105,000 Updated 1960 six-room Cape with four bedrooms and one bathroom. The lot is 60-by-100 feet. Taxes are $6,699. This is a short sale. Ira Morley, Century 21 AA Realty, Lindenhurst, 631-226-5995

$232,000 Totally renovated 10-room high-ranch with six bedrooms and three bathrooms. It was built in 1999 on a 80-by-112 lot. Taxes are $9,316. Edson Coley, Todo Realty, Bay Shore, 631-445-5903

$299,990 Built on a 50-by-100 foot lot, this new eight-room Colonial has four bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. Taxes are $6,000. Dennis Drumm, Dennis M. Drumm Realty, West Babylon, 631-321-6100

Multiple listings

Number of houses: 82

Price range: $54,900 to $379,999

Tax range: $884 to $11,072