What to expect when buying in Stewart Manor

For such a tiny village, Stewart Manor has much to offer. Here you will find a pedestrian-friendly commercial district, a community pool, a stop on the LIRR's Hempstead line and some charming early 20th century homes.

"Stewart Manor is a quaint village located about 30 minutes outside of Manhattan," says James McGuire, an associate broker of Village Manor Realty in Floral Park, noting most homes are within walking distance of Covert Avenue and the train station.

Covert Avenue -- dotted by shops, eateries and a branch of Elmont Public Library -- spans two villages: Stewart Manor to the east and the village of Floral Park to the west.

Stewart Manor is home to Long Island's first community pool and one of the first in the state. The pool, on Salisbury Avenue, was renovated about four years ago, says Mayor James Kelly, noting it's the site of many village events. The Stewart Manor Country Club, also on Salisbury Avenue, is leased to a caterer.

Tree-lined neighborhoods feature Colonials, capes and some duplexes. Many homes were built in the 1920s, says Eileen O'Hara of the Donnelly Group in Garden City, noting most retain their original character with such details as fireplaces, wood floors and woodwork. House sizes tend to range from 1,400 to 2,000 square feet, and the most common lot sizes are 40 by 100 feet and 60 by 100 feet.

While the village is family oriented, it also attracts young couples starting out, O'Hara says. Residents tend to stay for a long time, which is why the number of houses for sale is so low, she adds.

SALES PRICE
From June 1, 2011, to July 7, 2012, there were 14 sales, with a median price of $424,000, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low sales price was $272,000, and the high was $617,000. From May 1, 2010, to May 31, 2011, there were 11 sales. The median sales price was $455,000, with a low of $310,000 and a high of $545,000.

ATTRACTIONS
The pool extends membership to nonresidents. The Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual street fair for Sept. 8.

BY THE NUMBERS

Town: Hempstead

Area: 0.2 square mile

ZIP code: 11530

Population: 1,896

Median age: 44.8

Median household income: $107,321

Median home value: $418,000*

LIRR time to NYC: 38 minutes to 45 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $223

School district: Most students attend schools in the Elmont and the Sewanhaka Central High School districts; others go to schools in the Garden City district.

Sources: 2010 Census; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road;

*Based on sales in the past six months according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island