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.

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.

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?

In this episode we finally resolve the burning issue of the house at 90 The Crescent.

21 Cameron Ave

• MLS# 2170796 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $475,000 – 7/22/2009
• Prior Sales: 12/04/1998: $210,000
• 5 bedrooms – 2.5 bath – Split
• Taxes: $11,112 – Village Taxes: $1,343

We saw this house back in April and you can read our original report here. Deb and I still call this one “the urinal house”, which is somewhat unfair. Apart from the previous owners predilection for European bathroom fixtures, this is a pretty decent house. I thought that having Railroad Ave running right past the back of the house would bring the price down more, but otherwise this seems pretty reasonable.

24 Greenmeadow Dr

• MLS# 2162018 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $330,000 – 7/27/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 2 bedrooms – 2 bath – Second Floor Condo
• Taxes: $4,532 – Village Taxes: $732

Another one of these Greenmeadow condos. This one looks unrenovated, but I’m not sure how much a different that makes. These all seem to be going for somewhere in the $330K-$340K range.

90 Crescent Ave

• MLS# 2174452 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $450,000 – 7/29/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Split
• Taxes: $12,622 – Village Taxes: $1,152

There’s been a lot of chatter about this house on this thread. Debra originally saw this house back in April, but we didn’t post about it. As Don said on the other thread, this house belonged to a local church and, as it turns out, Debra’s mom is a member of that church. It was funny because Debra’s mom was chatting with her about “some blogger writing about homes in Babylon” and how some members of the church were concerned about what might be said. Of course, the “some blogger” was us. So we agreed, interest of family harmony, to hold off writing about this property until it was sold.

I thought that this was a bit much for this house, but I may have underestimated the “buy the cheapest house on the best block” factor. Below are Debra’s impressions of the house from the open house in April.

90 The Crescent is not the most prepossessing house on the street, but then there are some really amazing houses on The Crescent. Walking up, the portico looks a little wonky (although the fact sheet says the roof is eight years old) and the brick stoop has been repeatedly patched and daubed with paint to cover imperfections.

The fact sheet describes the house as “sparkling” which isn’t true. Right now the house looks more tired than anything else to me, but I think with some paint and loving care it could be a nice family home. The kitchen is in good shape, not the most exciting, but it’s definitely workable. I would rip out the homemade “breakfast bar” (as the fact sheet calls it) and add more cabinets or a baker’s rack, and I’d install better countertops.

The dining room has nice corner built-ins, and the living room has a lovely bay window and a fireplace. However, the fireplace insert needs to be replaced and the room has some odd wooden detailing on the ceiling that looks out of place in a mid-century split-level.

The garage is a good size and supposedly heated, with the washer and dryer in a little alcove. There’s a large basement, albeit with a low ceiling, too low to make it into living space. Still, it’s a large storage area.

The bedrooms are good-sized, with decent closets, and there’s a nice cedar closet on the short all to the master bedroom. The master bedroom is an OK size with sloping ceilings, but there is a very odd feature: one wall is half-paneled in rough, unfinished boards. The agent had no explanation, and it’s not that the drywall or plaster is down, this was put deliberately on the wall. The skylight has more of the rough boards install around the well leading to it. The skylight looks like it needs work.

The main bath is all original, and the gray and navy tiles are in great shape for nearly fifty years old. There’s a tiled shower stall set into the wall with no light, and a separate bath. The other bath is up the next half-flight of stair outside the master bath. It’s in OK shape, but the ugly 80s wallpaper desperately needs to be removed.

Moving outside, there’s a deck that has seen better days off the kitchen door, and a patio down a flight of stairs. The back yard is very large for Babylon, and fully fenced, although the fence is in bad shape. If you have a dog it could escape easily. In the end, it’s a nice family home, it just needs updating and some loving care.

There are some nice homes in this post. The Wyndanch house wasn’t on my radar at all, so no comments there. As noted below, we really loved that Washington house. I hope the people who bought it are happy with it.

One more part to go here and then I’m going to start working on the 13 homes sold in August. Oy!

12 Wyandanch Ave

• MLS# 2157987 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $599,000 – 7/10/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 4 bedrooms – 2.5 bath – Colonial
• Taxes: $12,743 – Village Taxes: $1,611

29 Lowerre St

• MLS# 2156399 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $352,000 – 7/15/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3(2) bedrooms – 1.5 bath – Colonial
• Taxes: $6,884 – Village Taxes: $633

We considered this house breifly and Debra went to go look at it back in March. As she noted then, this is really a two bedroom house with a tiny office area downstairs that really isn’t usable as a bedroom.

109 Washington St

• MLS# 2175366 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $475,000 – 7/16/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 1.5 bath – Split
• Taxes: $10,039 – Village Taxes: $875

You can see my open house report on this home here. As I noted back in April, I really loved this house, but thought it was way overpriced at its list of $500K. I still think the $475K paid for it is a lot for a modestly-sized house that wants a lot of updating. On the other hand, I did love the layout and there is that awesome backyard that opens right into the Southards Pond park.

Debra and I had some long conversations about this house after we saw it. We were hoping that the price might drop down into our wheelhouse, but that was not to be.

50 Paumanake Ave

• MLS# 2133440 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $480,000 – 7/1/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 1.5 bath – Colonial
• Taxes: $11,696 – Village Taxes: $884

I liked this house quite a bit and wrote about it here, back in January. Originally listed for $549K, it then dropped to $499K in March. I thought it might go for closer to $450K, but $480K seems a reasonable number.

This is a much better, much more livable house house than some of the others that we’ve looked at in the Indian Section. Even though the selling price is a bit higher than I’d like, it still makes a good comp I think.

24 Kensington Rd

• MLS# 2112017 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $625,000 – 7/9/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 2 full/2 half bath – Split
• Taxes: $15,209 – Village Taxes: $1,013

752 Freedom St

• MLS# 2152632 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $347,500 – 7/9/2009
• Prior Sales: 07/22/2003 – $300,000
• 3 bedrooms – 1 bath – Split
• Taxes: $8,585 – Village Taxes: none

I don’t pay much attention to these houses in the North Babylon school district. There does seem to be a significant discount once you go north of the Babylon Village schools.

34 S Carll Ave

• MLS# 2176070 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $529,000 – 7/10/2009
• Prior Sales: 08/23/2000 – $355,000
• 4 bedrooms – 2 bath – Colonial
• Taxes: $7,919 – Village Taxes: $830

I love these old Babylon homes. It’s way out of our price range, but I’m a bit sorry that I didn’t get to see it before it got sold. Looks like it needed some work, but you can’t beat that 19th century charm, wraparound porch and big lot

Feel free to chime in if you’ve got an opinion.

112 Peninsula Dr

• MLS# 2134066 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $915,000 – 6/29/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 4 bedrooms – 2.5 bath – Split
• Taxes: $22,349 – Village Taxes: $1,547

A big, waterfront house in the upscale Peninsula Drive area. Interesting that they took over $70K less than their last asking price.

44 Tameling Ave

• MLS# 2170246 – Zillow Page
• Sold:$295,000 – 6/30/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 1 bath – Colonial
• Taxes: $4,221 – Village Taxes: $?

This one seemed like it was on the market forever. Seems like a good deal.

29 Cambridge Dr

• MLS# 2159834 – Zillow Page
• Sold: $430,000 – 6/30/2009
• Prior Sales: none
• 3 bedrooms – 2 bath – Expanded Cape
• Taxes: $8,201 – Village Taxes: $593

I don’t remember this one at all. I wonder if came and went off the market very quickly.