Buying in Uniondale: Affordable family homes in Nassau County

A playground at Uniondale Avenue Park on April 3, 2016.... — A playground at Uniondale Avenue Park on April 3, 2016. The park is among the community amenities. Credit: Howard Schnapp

By Katherine Chafferkatherine.chaffer@newsday.comApril 6, 2016

The hamlet of Uniondale is like “a diverse and close knit family,” says Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby. “I am excited about some of the new upgrades coming to the hamlet, which will make a great hometown even better,” she adds.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino says plans include a streetscaping project on Uniondale Avenue that will add trees, new street lighting and a new sidewalk with a stamped brick pattern between Cedar Street and Waverly Place. There’s also a plan to install new free-standing decorative streetlights on Front Street this summer.

Supervisor Santino says Uniondale’s central location is a draw — close to Hofstra University, Nassau Community College and major commuting thoroughfares. Community highlights include the 49-acre Mitchell Athletic Complex and Uniondale Avenue Park.

There’s a high demand for homes in Uniondale, says agent Todd Yovino of Island Advantage Realty, who has sold homes in the hamlet for 28 years. Yovino says he had 50 prospective homebuyers at a single open house last week — people, he says, are drawn by the affordability, reasonable taxes, proximity to parkways and quick city commute. Uniondale residents have a strong sense of pride in homeownership, Yovino says, and it’s a great place for first-time homebuyers to pursue the American dream.

CONDOS AND TOWN HOUSES

There is one condo on the market, for $309,999.

SALES PRICES

Between March 1, 2015, and March 30, 2016, there were 119 home sales, at a median price of $320,000, according to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island. The low price for that period was $88,000, and the high was $500,000. During that time period a year earlier 83 homes were sold, with the median price being $285,000. The range then was $125,000 to $460,000.

SCHOOLS

Students attend Uniondale High School. In 2015, 19 percent of graduates earned a Regents diploma with advanced designation. That’s down from 20 percent in 2014.

OTHER STATS

Town: Hempstead

Area: 2.7 square miles

ZIP code: 11553

Population: 24,759

Median age: 34.5

Median household income: $71,953

Median home value: $338,000*

LIRR to NYC: From Hempstead, 48-56 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $252

School district: Uniondale

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

RECENTLY SOLD

$450,000, Arcadia Avenue

Originally listed for $499,999, this seven-bedroom Colonial sold after 97 days on the market. Built in 2014, the home has three full bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room, a living room, an office and a den. The 2,600-square-foot house features a first-floor master suite, hardwood floors and central air-conditioning and it has an attic and full basement. The taxes for this property have not yet been determined.

$355,000, Grant Place

This four-bedroom expanded cape sold for $10,000 less than its asking price after 140 days on the market. The 1954 home has two full bathrooms, a formal dining room, a living room and a Florida room off the eat-in kitchen. The second floor has been dormered, and there’s a new roof, windows and siding as well as hardwood floors and a finished basement. The 55-by-114 property is on a dead-end street. The taxes are $6,103.

$290,000, Newton Avenue

After 122 days on the market, this three-bedroom cape sold for $9,990 less than its asking price. The house was built in 1947 and has two full bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen and a first-floor master bedroom. Features include hardwood floors and a full, finished basement. There’s an enclosed porch and the 49-by-120-foot property comes with inground sprinklers. The taxes are $5,803.

NOW ON THE MARKET

Starter, $184,500

This four-bedroom expanded cape has two full bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen, a living room and a full basement. There’s a porch and patio on the 77-by-93-foot property. The taxes are $8,204. Todd Yovino, Island Advantage Realty, 631-820-3400.

Trade-up, $339,000

Set on a 50-by-100-foot lot, this four-bedroom cape offers two full bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen, central air-conditioning and a finished basement. The taxes are $7,275. Angella Harris, Weichert Realtors, 516-506-8773.

High-end, $419,000

This three-bedroom expanded cape has three updated baths, a new eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room and a finished basement. There’s a front porch and the lot is 52-by-100-feet. The taxes are $8,150. Jose Jacob, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 917-291-0499.