Buying in Lattingtown

"The Village of Lattingtown, although small in size, is truly one of the most peaceful and naturally beautiful places within the Town of Oyster Bay," says Town Supervisor John Venditto. The 3.8-square-mile village on Nassau County's North Shore is "rich in history," Venditto says, with its own character and "strong suburban quality of life."

Lattingtown's waterfront location and wide open spaces are great contributors to that quality of life, says Margaret Trautmann of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty. Trautmann, who has been selling homes in the village for 27 years, says most houses are within walking distance of Long Island Sound and many have access to private beach clubs and moorings.

Privacy is one of Lattingtown's charms, Trautmann says. The zoning ordinances have been updated in recent years to assure no parcel of land is subdivided into less than 4 acres, which she says helps to preserve the pastoral feel of the village.

One of Lattingtown's star attractions is the Bailey Arboretum in Bailey Arboretum County Park, which is open to the public year-round and free from parking and admission fees seven days a week. Venditto says the 42-acre facility is home to "more than 600 species of trees and shrubs, including several Chinese dawn redwoods, a tree which is classified as critically endangered in the wild."

Lattingtown also benefits from the open spaces that surround it. The village shares an eastern border with the Mill Neck Preserve, and St. Josaphat's Monastery is located on its western border. The 118-acre monastery estate once belonged to utility tycoon John E. Aldred. Built in 1916, the property includes a 74-room Tudor mansion, two gatehouses, a greenhouse, a henhouse, a stable and a conservatory. The property was purchased by Basilian monks in 1944 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

SALES PRICES

Between Sept. 1, 2014, and Oct. 15, 2015, there were 24 home sales, with a median sale price of $1,066,250, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low price for that period was $675,000, and the high was $9.9 million. During that same period a year earlier, there were 17 home sales, with a median sale price of $1.337 million. The price range was $675,000 to $3.1 million.

SCHOOLS

In 2014, 75 percent of students graduating had a Regents diploma with advanced designation, according to a New York State Education Department website. That's down from 76 percent in 2013.

OTHER STATS

Town: Oyster Bay

Area: 3.8 square miles

ZIP code: 11560

Population: 1,739

Median age: 47.8

Median household income: $143,393

Median home value: $1,024,500*

LIRR time to NYC: From Locust Valley, 66 to 73 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $287

School district: Locust Valley

Sources: 2010 Census; LIRR; mlsli.com
*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI

ON MULTIPLE LISTINGS

Number of houses: 35

Price range: $610,000 to $8.495 million

Tax range: $9,908 to $85,630

RECENTLY SOLD

Frost Creek Drive, $2.4 million

With an original asking price of $2.499 million, this four-bedroom Postmodern sold after just 19 days on the market. The house was built in 2010 and has three bathrooms and a half-bath, an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room and a great room. Amenities include a master suite with two dressing rooms, a fireplace, hardwood floors and high ceilings in the full, finished basement. The 2-acre property has in-ground sprinklers and a two-car garage, and comes with beach and docking rights. Taxes are $20,628.

Marseille Drive, $1.1 million

This four-bedroom home sold for $175,000 less than its asking price after 363 days on the market. The 1957 home has three bathroom and a half-bath, and an open floor plan with an updated eat-in-kitchen, family room, formal living room and mudroom. Amenities include two en suite bedrooms, three fireplaces and oak floors. There's a playroom, den and office in the finished basement. The 1.95-acre property, on a cul-de-sac, has bluestone patios and a two-car garage, and it comes with beach rights. Taxes are $17,153.

Millford Drive, $750,000

After 93 days on the market, this five-bedroom split-level sold for $25,000 less than its original asking price of $775,000. The 1955 home has three full bathrooms, a formal dining room and a living room with a fireplace. There's a second kitchen and heated sunroom on the lower level that leads out into the fenced-in yard. The 89-by-175-foot property is on a cul-de-sac and includes an in-ground pool and patio pavers and beach rights. Taxes are $11,371.

NOW ON THE MARKET

STARTER, $699,999

This four-bedroom split-level has two bathrooms and a half-bath, all updated; a granite and stainless steel kitchen, oak floors, a family room, sunroom and living room with fireplace. The 0.39-acre property is on a cul-de-sac and comes with beach rights.

Taxes are $11,904. Suzi Chase, Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, 516-606-5151.

TRADE-UP, $3.15 million

This eight-bedroom Colonial has six full bathrooms and two half-baths, five fireplaces, a library and a wine cellar. There's a wraparound porch, gunite pool and a two-bedroom cottage on the 3.1-acre property, which comes with beach rights.

Taxes are $85,630. Margaret Trautmann, Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, 516-361-4646.

HIGH-END, $6.5 million

This five-bedroom Colonial has seven full bathrooms and two half-baths, five fireplaces, two kitchens, a ballroom, a gym and maid's quarters. The 4.05-acre property is on a cul-de-sac and features a gunite pool and pool house and a three-car garage.

Taxes are $48,467. Chad Michelini, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 917-744-3627.