5 Long Island condos that recently sold below the median

In a competitive market that can have house-hunters searching for a while and getting outbid along the way, Ryan Dunne, an agent with HomeSmart Premier Living Realty, suggests another path when working with first-time homebuyers.

"A condo is a good steppingstone to a house," said the agent, who is based in Melville.

Although there is not "an abundance" of condos to choose from on Long Island, Dunne said, it's an option not many current renters consider when transitioning to a new place.

But according to recent data from OneKey MLS, condo prices in Nassau and Suffolk counties are on the rise. In July, the median condo price in Nassau was $870,000, and $537,000 in Suffolk. Both figures have increased from the median prices recorded in the counties one year ago, the data shows.

Finding a condo below these price points is still possible, local real estate agents say. Here are five two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos that sold in July for below the medians in Nassau and Suffolk.

Freeport

Closing price:

$430,000

Taxes:

$3,176

Monthly association fee:

$582

A unit in Wharfside Condominiums in Freeport sold for $430,000. Several of the selling points were the amenities, said listing agent Kevin Leatherman, of Leatherman Homes.

"Not only does it have parking — it has ample parking," he said. "So you have plenty of visitor parking within that community, which is fabulous. That's rare."

The condo is pet-friendly, and the complex features a pool with a hot tub, gym, sauna and tennis courts. The unit, which spans 1,141 square feet, was originally listed for $425,000, Leatherman said. "Although that was aggressive," he added.

The condo was on the market for 16 days, he said, adding, "There were multiple interested parties." The taxes were listed at $3,176, with a $582 monthly association fee. The property is in the Freeport Public Schools district.

Although the unit was move-in ready, "it had an original kitchen, so most people would put a new kitchen in there," Leatherman said.

Some standout features include an in-unit washer and dryer, electric appliances and a private balcony. The building also has an elevator, 24-hour security, a community room with a kitchen and a picnic area with a barbecue.

"I think it's a good property," Leatherman said. "And it's an affordable option."

Oceanside

Closing price:

$620,000

Taxes:

$10,935

Monthly association fee:

$675

A second-floor condo at the Villas at Oceanside closed for $620,000. Listing agent Ryan Dunne first represented the sellers in 2022, when they bought the place: "It was a full-circle transaction," he said.

Dunne's clients were looking to buy a house, but after some searching, "it was a mutual decision" to expand their options.

"I said, 'Why don't you guys look at buying a condo?' " Dunne recalled. "It might be more flexible, and maybe just a better situation for you. We'll do a three-to-five-year plan and see where the market is in the future, and get you into a house."

After three years of living there, they sold the condo in two days for $5,000 over its asking price, Dunne said — and moved into a house.

"The funny part is, we actually sold it to another young couple in the same situation now," he added.

The condo is pet-friendly, featuring a loft space (which can be used for storage or as a home office, Dunne said), vaulted ceilings, hardwood flooring, and an ensuite primary bedroom with a walk-in closet. The unit totals 1,487 square feet. The water heater and windows were updated in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

In this complex, the upper units have private balconies while the lower level condos have a back door that opens into a yard, Dunne said. There is also private parking.

"I showed that place to four or five different families, and everyone loved it," he said.

The taxes were listed as $10,935, with a $675 monthly association fee. The property is in the Oceanside Union Free School District.

"I think people really should consider condos," Dunne said, "especially if they're on the fence of, 'Should I rent or should I wait?' "

Manorville

Closing price: 

$240,000

Taxes:

$2,364

Monthly fee:

$1,627

A condo in Manorville's Greenwood Village closed for $240,000, which was $10,000 more than its original list price.

The 1,281-square-foot unit was off the market "within days," said listing agent Ronald Starrantino, of Coldwell Banker American Homes.

"I had never sold anything in that little development before," he added. "My phone lit up like a pinball machine."

The complex boasts a pool with a lifeguard, gym, clubhouse, putting green and athletic courts. The taxes were listed as $2,364, with a monthly $1,627 fee. The property is in the Eastport-South Manor Central School District.

The complex contains units from "900 square feet to probably about 1,400," Starrantino said.

As for the condo's features, "it had a nice little patio and there was an awning that rolled out in the back," Starrantino said. There is also a one-car garage, sprinkler system and upgraded kitchen.

"You can really make it your home," he added.

The community is sought-after and is home to a close-knit group of residents, Starrantino said.

"As we were doing the final walk-through, the neighbors were coming out to greet [the buyer]," he said. "It was old-school; I was really happy for him. It was really nice. There's a great sense of community."

Port Washington

Closing price:

$735,000

Taxes:

$11,701

Monthly maintenance charge:

$638

In the 55+ community of Mill Pond Acres in Port Washington, this condo sold for $735,000 — $10,000 over its asking price. The taxes were listed as $11,701, with a $638 monthly maintenance charge.

The community features a mix of town houses and condos at varying prices depending on the square footage, said listing agent Marion Cohen, of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty. This condo spans 1,238 square feet. The property is in the Port Washington Union Free School District.

The complex offers plenty of opportunities for residents to socialize, Cohen said: "It has a very vibrant clubhouse that people love, with canasta and movies. There's a gym, there's an indoor swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, tennis courts and pickleball courts."

A major selling point, she added, is the Mill Pond Acres jitney. It runs back and forth to the Port Washington Long Island Rail Road station, and residents can request the service if they need transportation to other areas in town.

"The jitney will take you all over Port Washington," Cohen said.

The pet-friendly unit also includes a patio, walk-in pantry and a washer and dryer. The paint and bedroom carpeting were updated recently.

Cohen has done a lot of business in Mill Pond Acres, and said its residents "love everything it has to offer." There were multiple bids on the condo, and it was off the market in less than a month, Cohen said.

"Anytime something comes on [the market] in this gated community, they go very quickly," she added.

Long Beach

Closing price:

$695,000

Taxes:

$8,299

Monthly maintenance charge:

$897

Leah Tozer, of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, recently sold two condos in The Summit building in Long Beach. In July, she sold the penthouse unit for $695,000. The original listing price was $689,000.

"It sold relatively quickly," Tozer said.

The taxes were listed as $8,299, with $897 in monthly fees. One of the showstoppers of the condo was its picturesque views, Tozer said.

"That particular unit, as it is a duplex and it is a top floor, had a north view," she said. "So it actually looked at the water right on the channel, and you were also able to see the Manhattan skyline from there."

The pet-friendly unit includes large windows in the primary bedroom, a walk-in closet and bicycle storage, spanning 1,100 square feet. The complex also offers parking, a rooftop area and a gym. The property is in the Long Beach City School District.

There is a good amount of competition for condos on Long Island, particularly within newly constructed buildings, said Tozer.

"A lot of people are downsizing," she said. "They've owned their homes for a long time and are looking for something a little bit more manageable, and they have the money to purchase these. So I don't know if I see those numbers coming down a lot, because there's only so much of them."

But the pricing and amenities vary widely throughout complexes on Long Island, she added: "It's hard to say they're apples to apples."