Buying
Buying a home on the North Shore: taxes, schools, flood zones and closing
The asking price is the easy number. These pages cover the ones that arrive after: the tax bill and how it is split, the school district line, the flood map, the sewer or cesspool, and what the closing table adds.
11 pages in this section
Buyer Closing Costs on Long Island: Transfer, Mansion and Mortgage Tax
Who pays New York's transfer tax and mansion tax, how the mortgage recording tax works in Nassau County, and which Clerk recording fees apply to a purchase.
Cesspools and Sewers in Nassau County: Connection Rules and Replacement Grants
Nassau County's sewer connection rule, how a cesspool differs from a septic tank, and the state and county grants that pay to replace old systems.
Co-ops vs Condos in New York: Ownership, Offering Plans, Costs and Tax Basics
How co-op and condo ownership differ in New York: shares versus units, maintenance charges, the offering plan, building repair costs and IRS treatment.
FEMA Flood Zones on Long Island's North Shore: Maps, Risk Levels and Insurance
FEMA flood zone letters and risk levels, how to find your zone, when flood insurance is required and the Oyster Bay Town and Sea Cliff rules.
Historic Districts and Landmark Rules in Sea Cliff and the North Shore
What National Register listing restricts, who qualifies, the tax credits tied to listing and how Sea Cliff's landmark chapter reviews exterior work.
Home Inspection on Long Island: What It Covers, What It Costs and Who Can Do It
What a New York home inspection includes and leaves out, the state licensing and report rules, and one company's Spring 2026 Long Island price survey.
LIRR Oyster Bay Branch: Route, Sea Cliff Station, Penn Station Transfers
How the LIRR Oyster Bay Branch works for commuters: the route from Mineola, the Jamaica transfer, Sea Cliff station and the 2025 alternate plan.
Nassau County Property Taxes Explained: How Bills Are Set and Where They Go
How Nassau County property tax bills work: assessment times rate, the school, county and town split, the 6% cap, Oyster Bay due dates and ways to cut a bill.
North Shore Long Island School Districts: Graduation, Attendance and Size
Eight North Shore Nassau school districts side by side on NYSED 2024-25 data: enrollment, graduation, attendance and suspensions, plus North Shore Central.
Open Houses in New York: Agent Disclosure Rules, Broker Procedures and Offer Scams
What New York law requires of agents at open houses: the disclosure form, broker visitor procedures, buying without an agent and how iBuyer offers compare.
STAR Exemption in Nassau County: Credit vs Exemption, Income Limits, How to Register
The STAR exemption is closed to new applicants. How Nassau homeowners register for the STAR credit, the 2026 income limits, Basic vs Enhanced and who qualifies.