Advice on Rental Market in Sound Beach, Rocky Pt, Miller Place (renter, how much)

[jenbooks13]

Hi, I live in NYC in a stabilized apt. with my boyfriend. I have been looking at homes in SB, RP, MP area since last fall, for part-time use (I am a writer), on the more modest end. I'm getting close to really wanting to buy something. I would use it year round, but part-time, ie go out for a week or two, come back to the city for a few weeks etc. I made an offer on one house I really liked but did not get it unless their deal falls thru as they already had an accepted offer. I'm looking again tomorrow.

My question is, suppose at some point I want to rent the house out (assume, for instance, the market is still soft and whatever happens in my life, I need to rent the house out and not sell it, as I will want to use it again later). I doubt this will happen, and honestly just want to make my lifestyle more enjoyable. My primary residence will still be NYC so I can't "star" any taxes btw. But before buying a house I want to know what all my options are so as to consider how small or large a house to buy and how much to spend. I don't want to get stuck in a position that I can't back out of in any way shape or form. I want to be flexible or to know I have flexibility as this would be the first home I've ever owned, I'm a true NYC renter type and a late bloomer for home ownership .

It seems to me it's mainly a family-oriented community and mostly people own their homes. I know there are some illegal two families and perhaps rented out to Hispanics etc. But that is more of a concern to me than appealing. I would want to keep the home in good shape so would be concerned with who I rented to. What are rentals like out there should I have to do that at some point? IE would it be relatively easy to find a responsible person etc?