Buying in Selden

THE SCOOP Ongoing projects in Selden, from revitalized parks to new stores to housing alternatives, are giving the community options and amenities it had been lacking, says Town of Brookhaven councilman Kevin LaValle.

That includes the construction of a 24-acre park complex on Boyle Road that will feature multipurpose athletic fields, baseball fields, basketball courts, an ice rink, playground and walking trails. The grand opening of the second phase of the complex was held May 5 and included the unveiling of a synthetic field marked for football, lacrosse and soccer. LaValle says the complex is expected to be completed by 2019.

“It brings a sense of community to the area because of all the different things we’ll have the ability to do there, where we don’t have that option right now,” says LaValle, a Selden resident.

Rental units are being constructed on the 14-acre site on Middle Country Road that was formerly a driving range and mini-golf course. The development will include a percentage of workforce housing and a veterans memorial honoring Daniel Roe, an early Selden resident who was a captain in the Revolutionary War.

“It’s been a blighted area for a long time,” LaValle says. “With this new development, we’re trying to focus on keeping young people in the community. We don’t have a lot of rentals throughout Selden and Centereach. This is a transitional kind of move for people in between graduating college and buying a house.”

The vacant stores that had lined the front of Independence Plaza, one of Selden’s largest shopping centers, have been replaced with stores such as Rite Aid, Five Guys and Guitar Center. Across the street in College Plaza, a Panera Bread opened in late 2016.

“We tried to revitalize that area to bring back businesses and big brand names that will be tenants for a long time,” LaValle says. A focus is also being made to add trees and grass to storefronts, making the area more aesthetically appealing for potential businesses and residents.

The most common housing styles in the area are Colonials and high-ranches, and some Capes, says Rita Tsoukaris of ReMax Integrity Leaders in Selden. Most are priced between $200,000 and $350,000, she says, adding that some houses reach the $500,000 range.

Part of the appeal of Selden is its central location, with Nicolls Road running parallel to the hamlet’s western border, Patchogue-Mount Sinai Road along its eastern border, and Middle Country Road cutting right through the middle of the hamlet.

Selden is also home to Suffolk Community College’s Ammerman Campus and the Selden branch of the Middle Country Public Library.

CONDOS

There are none on the market.

SALES PRICE

Between April 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017, there were 252 home sales with a median sale price of $270,000, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low price for that period was $90,000 and the high was $538,500. During that period a year earlier, there were 227 home sales with a median sale price of $257,000. The price range was $77,000 to $525,000.

SCHOOLS

Most students attend Newfield High School; some attend Centereach High School.

OTHER STATS

Town Brookhaven

Area 4.7 square miles

ZIP code 11784

Population 19,851

Median age 37.0

Median household income $88,187

Median home value $270,000

LIRR to NYC Ronkonkoma, 66-85 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket $391

School district Middle Country

SOURCES: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; LIRR;

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

RECENTLY SOLD

$420,000

SANDY LANE After 112 days on the market, this four-bedroom, 2 1⁄2 -bathroom Colonial sold for $1,000 less than its asking price. The 1987 house features a great room with a fireplace and sliding glass doors, gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and formal dining room. The master suite, with a full bathroom, is on the upper level along with three additional bedrooms. The half-acre property also has an unfinished basement and attached two-car garage. The taxes are $12,770.

$324,000

FAIRLANE DRIVE This four-bedroom expanded ranch sold for $4,990 less than its asking price after 234 days on the market. The 1968 home, with 2 1⁄2 bathrooms, includes an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and sliding glass doors that open to a back deck. The dining room has French doors that open to a den with skylights. The master bedroom includes a walk-in closet and half-bath. Taxes on the 0.21-acre property are $12,367.

$240,000

MAGNOLIA DRIVE Originally listed for $269,000, this two-bedroom house sold in March after 257 days on the market. The home, built in 1952, includes an eat-in kitchen with a dining area, living room, formal living room and an office/den with a wood-burning fireplace. There’s also a stand-up attic and a partially finished basement. The 0.3-acre property, with taxes of $4,146, includes a detached 2 1⁄2 -car garage and a patio with a brick barbecue.

NOW ON THE MARKET

Starter

$225,000 This expanded ranch, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, includes a living room, an updated kitchen and a finished basement on 0.14 acres. The taxes are $5,255. Rita Tsoukaris, Re/Max Integrity Leaders, 631-736-2000

Trade-Up

$299,990 This high-ranch, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, includes a family room and updated kitchen. Taxes on the 0.21-acre property are $8,884. Tammy Gloe, Century 21 Parisi Realty, 516-901-5442

High-End

$435,000 This three-bedroom, three-bathroom Colonial features an open floor plan with a granite kitchen, living room and dining room. The 0.25-acre property includes a finished basement. The taxes are $10,317. Aneta Gierasimiuk, RealMart Realty, 516-987-1333

On Multiple Listings

Number of houses 63

Price range $144,900-$499,996

Tax range $4,198-$15,027