Buying in Medford

THE SCOOP "A nice-kept secret" is how Ed Shine of Shine Realty Group describes his hometown of Medford. The secret may be out, though, since this rural area has experienced a bit of a building boom.

New developments, many of them on cul-de-sacs, have been built in the past decade, says Lina Lopes of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Now buyers have a lot more choices. Neighborhoods throughout this sprawling community offer a mix of architectural styles, from compact ranches to 3,000-square-foot Postmoderns.

Pricier homes on one-plus-acre lots are in the section known as Old Medford, where a few horse properties remain. Houses in The Pines are connected to the sewer system, Lopes says. Homes in move-in condition, priced in the low $100,000s, can be found in North Medford, Shine says. "There's a big market for first-time home buyers," Shine adds, noting they can find a nice house for less than $300,000.

Residents have access to shops, restaurants, recreation areas and houses of worship. Businesses, many of them including mom-and-pop shops, can be found along Route 112. Annual events, including a summer concert series, often are held at Medford Memorial Park. "Medford still has a small-town feel," says resident Paige Tarver, president of the Medford Chamber of Commerce. On Dec. 7, the chamber and Medford Fire Department will host a holiday parade, Tarver says, noting festivities conclude at the firehouse, where hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Residents also can join local groups, including the garden club and civic association. A new community center is slated to be built in the spring.

CONDOS AND TOWNHOUSES 27 listings between $137,000 and $339,000

SALES PRICE The numbers are up, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. From Oct. 1, 2013, to Oct. 31, 2014, there were 193 sales with a median price of $251,000. The low price was $55,055, for a real estate- owned property (REO), and the high was $570,000. From 2012 to 2013, during the same time period, there were 160 sales with a low of $55,000 for a short sale. The high price was also $570,000.

ATTRACTIONS Mill Pond Golf Course; Peppermint Park, a playground on Route 112 and Jamaica Avenue; Medford Athletic Complex off Horse Block Road; Boomers!, an amusement park on Long Island Avenue

Other stats

Town Brookhaven

Area 10.8 square miles

ZIP code 11763

Population 24,142

Median age 37

Median household income $92,562

Median home value $256,000*

LIRR time to NYC 1 hour, 38 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket $363

School district Most students attend Patchogue-Medford, while others go to South Country or Longwood.

SOURCES: 2010 Census; mlslI.com; LIRR;

*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI