Buying in Sayville, the ‘friendliest town in America’
A walkable downtown and ferry service to Fire Island are among Sayville's amenities. This is Main Street on April 28, 2017. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Sayville, once named by California State University Fresno, as the “friendliest town in America,” is a draw for home buyers because the area is “rich with good people, has a great thriving town and a lot of local attractions that have history,” says Joanne Sturchio of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
In order to add additional attractions and infrastructure in the area, an engineering study is being conducted for sewer expansions, with a line proposed to run down Main Street, says Assemb. Andrew Garbarino, who was born and raised in Sayville and now represents its district as a Republican.
“So hopefully we can get some more stores and restaurants and multiuse apartments,” he says. “Without the sewers, we wouldn’t be able to do that.”
Doing so would further add to the appeal of Sayville, which he says already features desirable amenities such as a walkable, boutique-lined downtown and ferry service to and from Fire Island beaches.
Sayville is also home to historical venues such as The Sayville Inn restaurant, once a tavern visited by Teddy Roosevelt, and Meadow Croft Estate, which belonged to John E. Roosevelt. On the grounds of the estate is Loughlin Vineyards, which identifies itself as the closest vineyard to Manhattan.
Housing styles in Sayville include a mix of ranches, Colonials and capes, Sturchio says. South Sayville, which borders the Great South Bay, features older Victorians.
Additional real estate development could ultimately be constructed on the land occupied by the now-closed Island Hills Golf Club, which has been bought by a developer, Garbarino says.
This ranch, listed for $399,999 in May 2017, is considered a starter home for first-time buyers in Sayville. Credit: Coldwell Banker M&D Good Life
In addition to the ferry service, Sayville has its own train station and is just a few miles south of Long Island MacArthur Airport. The area is also nearly equidistant from Manhattan and Montauk, at about 60 miles from each destination.
CONDOS
There are four condos on the market, ranging in price from $249,000 to $269,000.
SALES PRICES
This Sayville ranch is on the market in May 2017. At $519,000, it is considered a trade-up house for second-time buyers. Credit: /
Between April 1, 2016, and April 25, 2017, there were 142 home sales, with a median sale price of $425,000, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low price was $150,000 and the high was $1,025,000. During that period a year earlier, 130 home were sold, with a median sale price of $404,250. The price range was $180,250 to $1.41 million.
SCHOOLS
Most students attend Sayville High School. In 2016, 67 percent earned Regents diplomas with advanced designation.
OTHER STATS
Town: Islip
Area: 5.5 square miles
This Colonial, on the market in May 2017, is listed for $875,000. It is considered a high-end purchase in Sayville. Credit: /
ZIP code: 11782
Population: 16,853
Median age: 43.0
Median household income: $105,712
Median home value: $430,000
LIRR to NYC: 76-100 minutes at peak
Monthly ticket: $391
School district: Sayville
SOURCES: 2010 census; mlslI.com; LIRR;
*Based on sales in the past six months, according to MLSLI
RECENTLY SOLD
GIBBONS COURT, $735,000
This four-bedroom, 2½ bathroom Colonial sold for $54,000 less than its asking price after 344 days on the market. The 2004 home has an open floor plan that includes a living room with a fireplace, a formal dining room, a family room and an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Sliders off the kitchen open to a paver patio on the 0.46-acre property. The home includes a finished basement, a covered front porch and an attached two-car garage. The taxes are $16,458.
CHARLOTTE PLACE, $556,500
Originally listed for $579,999, this four-bedroom Colonial sold after 275 days on the market. The 2002 home, with 3½ bathrooms, includes a two-story entry foyer. In addition to a formal living room and formal dining room, there’s a family room with a gas fireplace. The eat-in kitchen includes a center island and butler’s pantry. The master suite, with a walk-in closet and bathroom, is on the upper level with three additional bedrooms and a bathroom. The 0.46-acre property includes a finished basement and attached two-car garage. The taxes are $13,660.
ROOSEVELT AVENUE, $355,000
After 167 days on the market, this three-bedroom Ranch sold for $16,000 more than its asking price. The house, built in 1960, features three bedrooms and one bathroom. The open concept layout includes an eat-in kitchen that overlooks the living room with hardwood floors, a wall of windows and vaulted ceilings. The 75-by-109-foot property also includes a covered patio on the side of the house, a basement crawl space and a detached 1-1/2 car garage. The taxes are $8,906.
NOW ON THE MARKET
STARTER, $399,999: This four-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch features an updated eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a living room and dining room. The 0.38-acre property also has a partially finished basement and a converted garage. Taxes: $10,629. Theodore Gounelas, Coldwell Banker M&D Good Life, 631-289-1400
TRADE-UP, $519,000: This ranch, with three bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms, includes a living room, dining room, and granite eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The 0.61-acre property also has a finished walkout basement, a pool and attached two-car garage. Taxes: $12,740. Linda Ciavarelli, Coach Realtors, 631-805-5632
HIGH-END, $875,000: This four-bedroom, three-bathroom Colonial features a living room, family room, eat-in kitchen and dining room. The 0.86-acre property also has a detached two-car garage, basement and legal apartment. Taxes: $19,181. Leesa Byrnes, Leesa Byrnes Realty, 631-589-2000
ON MULTIPLE LISTINGS
Number of houses: 30
Price range: $199,000 to $875,000
Tax range: $6,434 to $20,215
