10 W Pershing Ave

• MLS# 2183498 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $395,000 – 9/22/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 2 bedrooms – 1 bath – Cape
• Taxes: $6,221 – Village Taxes: N/A

A boat-lover’s special, for sure. This is a tiny tiny house with a place to keep your boat. Not much to say here except that it’s a bit hard to square the price for this with what 109 Lighthouse went for.

19 Nehring Ave

• MLS# 2184651 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $315,000 – 9/23/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 1 bath – Ranch
• Taxes: $5,480 – Village Taxes: $636

I wrote about this one back in May. You can my original report here.

As I said then, this house was a tempting proposition. Yes, it’s a small house, but it’s nicely put together and very livable. Plus, with the price and the taxes so low, you could really afford to either finish the basement and get more space there or even dormer out a partial second floor if you were so inclined.

199 Frederick Ave

• MLS# 2197066 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $375,000 – 9/30/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 1 bath – Ranch
• Taxes: $9,367 – Village Taxes: $538

We went to an open house here, back in August I think. It was a warm, summer day and the big in-ground pool was just so inviting. I was tempted to make an offer right then and there. This was one of the homes that I didn’t write about here on the blog because we were making contemplating an offer.

What struck me most about this house is that it seemed to be set up for entertaining, big pool out back, covered patio area, bar in the finished basement. I liked this house a lot, but Debra thought it was a bit too small and needed too much work.

When I first checked for FiOS availability here at the Fairfield, it was a no go. I was a little disappointed, but I figured it was because I was living in an apartment building. But last week I checked for FiOS in my new house and it’s it not available there either. What’s up with that?

Frankly, I’m not sure that I’d switch. The FiOS HDTV signal is supposed to be better because it’s less compressed than Cablevision/Optimum, but getting FiOS means dealing with the Verizon pit of despair for billing, service and technical support.

I did some research and found that Verizon came to a deal for the FiOS service with the Town of Babylon in 2008. Is there a separate agreement they need to reach with our little village?

Anyone know what the real deal is? Come on, fess up!

This middle section of three homes doesn’t interest me much, so my commentary will be brief to nonexistent. As always, feel free to leave your impressions in the comment section.

15 Salt Meadow Rd

• MLS# 2180392 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $985,000 – 9/10/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 3.5 bath – Condo
• Taxes: $15,906 – Village Taxes: $1,732

Another one of these Salt Meadow condos. This one goes for just under a million dollars. I could think of a lot of homes in Babylon Village that I’d rather have for that money, but that is one awesome view to be sure.

109 Lighthouse Rd

• MLS# 2192495 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $517,000 – Sold Date: 9/11/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 4 bedrooms – 2 bath – Farm Ranch
• Taxes: $12,461 – Village Taxes: $1,242

This one looks like a suspiciously good deal. It’s a big farm ranch on a big piece of property right on the canal. No pictures of the inside, so maybe that’s a clue.

40 George St

• MLS# 2157315 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $440,000 – Sold Date: 9/18/2009
• Prior Sales:
     11/12/2004 – $510,000
• 4 bedrooms – 3 bath – Colonial
• Taxes: $8,687 – Village Taxes: $801

This one is right next my former dream home at 44 George. It was on an off the market for years and I was wondering if it might fall into my price range.

In the end, no it didn’t. But $440K is still a pretty big haircut from its 2004 price of $510K

I don’t have a lot to say about most of these. If you have some information, feel free to share it with the group.

32 Howard St

• MLS# 2093191 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $580,000 – 9/1/2009
• Prior Sales:
     10/12/2001 – $226,000
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Victorian
• Taxes: $9,601 – Village Taxes: $816

This one is out of my wheelhouse and so we didn’t give it any consideration. It’s a pretty big house for a three bedroom and the listing mentioned a finished basement, which is nice.

18 Annuskemunnica Rd

• MLS# 2157859 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $510,000 – Sold Date: 9/3/2009
• Prior Sales:
     12/10/2002 – $385,000
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Ranch
• Taxes: $8,842 – Village Taxes: $600

Not much information here. Not even a picture. This is a biggish ranch house with big piece of property and its backyard on the canal and what looks like an actual boat slip. The original listing had no interior pictures, which probably explains why it went for only $510K.

195 Livingston Ave

• MLS# *1050073 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $345,000 – Sold Date: 9/4/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 2 bedrooms – 1.5 bath – Cape
• Taxes: $8,528 – Village Taxes: $552

We called on this one, but passed when the Realtor told us it was only a two bedroom. it was an exclusive, so we didn’t see it on MLS, just noticed it as we were driving around.

It looks pretty big for a two bedroom, so maybe we should have gone in and had a peek.

2 Edward Ave

• MLS# 2185361 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $405,000 – Sold Date: 9/10/2009
• Prior Sales:
     02/25/2003 – $280,000
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Cape
• Taxes: $7,431 – Village Taxes: $762

We saw this one back in May. You can read Debra’s take on the place here.

In fact, we got so excited when this house came on the market that we called the Realtor straightaway to get an early peek at it. The house has a lot of nice touches and has been well renovated without being overdone. Unfortunately the house was just way too small to suit us.

I’m a little surprised that the house went for this much, pretty much full ask, since it is so small. I guess the house’s charm outweighed its size.

Full Bottles to Light Pours: A Spot for Wine Lovers

Barrique takes its name from a type of barrel used in winemaking; bottles, barrels and wooden wine crates make up much of the décor. A beamed ceiling and lots of brick give the place a cozy, rustic ambiance. Tables are bare wood; napkins look like French dish towels.

Barrique is owned by the Babylon Restaurant Group, which also runs the Argyle Grill and Tavern, a lively 10-year-old spot across the street. Barrique is just as lively and noisy, but it has something its older sibling lacks: the cooking of Pierre Rougey.

Mr. Rougey, the executive chef, had been the chef and co-owner of Emerson’s, the cafe that occupied these premises before Barrique. His menu is designed for sampling; every table is set with stacks of plates for sharing.

It’s a pretty positive review, although with more typos than you’d expect in the paper of record. I’ve heard good things about the place, but I’m not much of a wine lover and Debra doesn’t drink at all, so one of the main appeals is pretty much lost on us. We actually haven’t been out to dinner since Aurora was born, so there’s not much chance of us showing up there anyway.

By way, I noticed on their web page that Barrique also has a blog. I’m always interested in Babylon Village blogging, so I clicked right over. Sadly, all they seem to have there are reviews of the restaurant.

Old Fashioned Village Christmas

Santa and his horse drawn carriage, elves, village carolers, chior performances, Holiday cheer, and Super Sale Specials all over the village!

Don’t miss this fabulous family event. It’s the kick off to the holiday shopping season. Our downtown shops will be open each Friday night in December, and many on Sunday too!!

I’ll try to take a lot of pictures and put them up on the site for you this weekend. If you see a tall guy with a pony tail pushing a baby stroller, be sure to say hi!

[NY Times] Vegan Fare

One source for vegan sweets on Long Island is Moo-Cluck, a largely wholesale bakery in Babylon that sells to retail customers as well.

Moo-Cluck’s baker, Micheline Cummings, 36, had been running a nonvegan custom bake shop, Madame Butterfly Cakes, with her partner, Terry Haughey. But both are vegans, so, Ms. Cummings said, “I started developing the vegan recipes just for me.”

But soon, others were asking for her egg- and dairy-free items, like “un-cheesecake,” chocolate cake and cupcakes. So Moo-Cluck was born in 2005. Relatives of Ms. Cummings who viewed veganism with a certain suspicion initially resisted her desserts, she said. But times change: She and Mr. Haughey took a box of several dozen Moo-Cluck cookies to a family Christmas party of 30 people last year, intending it for a vegan relative.

The vegan arrived too late to enjoy the gift. Half an hour after Ms. Cummings brought them into the house, the cookies were gone, she said. “All the nonvegans ate them.”

44 George St

• MLS# 2162510 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $395,000 – 8/26/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 1 bath – Cape
• Taxes: $7,326 – Village Taxes: $806

Oh, 44 George, how I lusted after you for years. I first wrote about this house over two years ago back in June of 2007. It was one of the very first houses I talked about here on HIB. Back then they were asking $499K for this place. I thought that was crazy talk and I still think $395K is a bit much for this smallish house on a busy street with one tiny bathroom.

That being said, this is a great-looking house and we strongly considered it several times. Of all the homes we saw early on, it was far and away the one we liked best.

78 Wampum Rd

• MLS# 2184880 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $455,000 – 8/28/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 1 bath – Ranch
• Taxes: $11,684 – Village Taxes: $1,059

This one I saw back in May. At that time the ask was a half million dollars. Between that and the crazy high taxes I give the place a pass, but, as commenter Metroproletarian pointed out, this is a house with a ton of options. A solidly built house with a big attic and a nicely finished basement on large a piece of property leaves open a lot of possibilities for someone with creativity…and a nice bankroll.

12 Harbour Rd

• MLS# 2155918 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $500,000 – 8/28/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Ranch
• Taxes: $12,272 – Village Taxes: $1,348

Hmm…a nice house on a pretty big piece of land south of Montauk. You have to wonder why iti didn’t go for more.

67 Lee Ave

• MLS# 2160100 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $450,000 – 8/31/2009
• Prior Sales: 05/07/2004 – $405,000
• 4 bedrooms – 3 bath – Ranch
• Taxes: $10,320 – Village Taxes: $1,027

I’m not sure what this blog is going to become as things change for me and my family. But I expect that I’ll still do these Sold Homes posts. In the two and a half years that I’ve been writing, I’ve developed more that a little taste for this real estate thing.

34 W Jackson Ave

• MLS# 2164760 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $550,000 – 8/13/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 3 bath – Split
• Taxes: $12,281 – Village Taxes: none

A nice, big, three bed, three bath split with an updated kitchen right on the canal for $550K? Hard to say, but this looks like a tremendous deal.

50 Cadman Ave

• MLS# 2180638 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $459,000 – 8/18/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Cape
• Taxes: $9,284 – Village Taxes: $1,033

We went to visit this one back in may. You can read the original house report here. There was a pretty contentious argument in the comment section of this post, so it’s worth reading just for that.

This still seems like a lot of money for this house.

19 Whalers Cove

• MLS# 2148684 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $317,500 – 8/18/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 2 bedrooms – 1,5 bath – Condo
• Taxes: $3,655 – Village Taxes: $541

We’re slipping under $320K now for the two-bed Whalers Cove condos. This one says it was recently updated, but it doesn’t look like they spent a huge amount of money.

163 Sumpwams Ave

• MLS# 2158658 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $612,500 – 8/25/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 4 bedrooms – 2.5 bath – Colonial
• Taxes: $12,281 – Village Taxes: $1,279

There’s only one thing to say about this listing. Why don’t I make more money?

In the meantime, there were 13 homes sold in Babylon in August 2009 according to MLSLI.com. As I did last month, I’ll be splitting this into three separate posts so the individual homes won’t get lost in the mix.

Here are the first five. I didn’t personally see any of them, so my commentary is of dubious value at best. Feel free to click on the comments link and add your two cents.

138 Shore Rd

• MLS# 2128976 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $527,500 – 8/4/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Cape
• Taxes: $9,844 – Village Taxes: $985

We didn’t see this one, but it’s a nice-looking house, well finished inside with a nice, new kitchen. All that plus a water view. Looks like good deal to me.

539 Gwynn St

• MLS# 2173108 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $350,000 – 8/4/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 4 bedrooms – 2 bath – Cape
• Taxes: $9,360 – Village Taxes: $853

Debra visited this one back in April. You can read her report here. All in all, probably not a bad price at all for a decent-sized house like this on a relatively big piece of property, even one that needs a bunch of work.

267 Fire Island Ave

• MLS# 2167483 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $400,000 – 8/4/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 4 bedrooms – 1 bath – Cape
• Taxes: $7,919 – Village Taxes: $857

This one kind of came and went. There were some comments on it back and forth on some older posts.

59 Whalers Cove

• MLS# 2181684 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $320,000 – 8/12/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 2 bedrooms – 1.5 bath – Condo
• Taxes: $3,654 – Village Taxes: $???

One of two Whalers Cove condos sold this month. $320K seems to be the price point now.

23 Cockonoe Ave

• MLS# 2181942 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $585,000 – 8/13/2009
• Prior Sales: 07/24/2006 – $482,500
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Colonial
• Taxes: $7,425 – Village Taxes: $565

Is it just me, or does this seem like a lot of money for a nice 3 bed, two bath ranch colonial? Taxes are way low and the lot is not especially big. Did anyone see this?