1st time home buyer here, hows the housing market? (Hempstead: houses, neighborhoods)

[stressed]

Hello Everyone,

My wife and I are trying to buy a house, and we are having a very difficult time. We have been looking at the following neighborhoods:
East Meadow
Bethpage
Seaford
Hicksville

Our ideal location is somewhere near hempstead tnpk. Our budget allows us to be in the $360-$390 range. We are having a REAL hard time finding houses in that range that don't need extensive repairs, and the ones that don't need repairs beyond our capabilities are selling for close to asking price, and quickly.

Why is it that everywhere I go, I hear that the housing market is coming down. Yet its almost impossible to find a fair house in these areas?

[TomMoser]

Although prices have come down, the neighborhoods that you are looking in are, indeed, very tough in the price range that you indicated. You may want to consider looking a bit east, perhaps western Suffolk County.

[stressed]

I've thought about Farmingdale, but I dont know what neighborhoods are good in Suffolk Co.

[Kbinspections]

I agree with Tom, still mnot enough money for those areas. Why near Hempstead Tpk? Most people want to be away from there. How you looked in bellmore...there are some small capes that should work in that price range.

You tend to get more for less in western Suffolk.Good luck!

[TomMoser]

Do you need to be on the south shore? Here, you can get some nice houses in your price range in Kings Park, East Northport, South Huntington. You might also check out Deer Park, and, on the south shore, West Babylon.

[stressed]

Hempstead Tnpk is a great middle ground for my wife and I, our family and friends are around the freeport/baldwin area, her job is in Garden City, and I work in the Commack area. (yes, I get the brunt of the driving). I dont have a problem looking in the western suffolk area, but I have no idea which towns are desireable. Could you guys suggest any towns to check out?

[stressed]

sorry Tom, you posted at the same time I was responding. How is Farmingdale?

[Kbinspections]

We moved to Kings Park 14 years ago and we love it! I used to commute to westbury,its not that bad. Great place to raise a family and its still reasonable.

Other town Tom mentions are good options, although Deer Park can be alittle shaky in some areas.

[Glad2BHere]

You can purchase a home in Seaford for high 300s, friends of mine did it about 1.5 years ago, but it is small and needs work. I am sure some others will have some suggestions for you, I don't know much about the South Shore Suffolk area.

If you can get something in your range in Kings Park, that's a great option for you (that's North Shore though). And same with East Northport, would be great for you also.

I don't know if Bethpage is in your price range. If it was that would be great!

For me personaly, I would pass on Hicksville/East Meadow to be honest.

[TomMoser]

I am not overly-familiar with Farmingdale, but I have not heard anything really bad. You and your wife should take a drive their over the weekend and take a look. I'm much more familiar with the more northern towns.