I live in Syosset and the house next door has been for sale for a year and a half.
Well, I happen to live in Long Island too, and my colleague and his wife, have saved $80,000 to put a down payment towards a house in either Nassau or Suffolk. They were willing to put in 20% down.
His problem -— everytime they find a house they like within their budget, it gets snapped up ahead ( with alternative offers too ).
He just lost a bid for one in Levittown when the other guy offered $10,000 more than him ( pre-approved at 3% down ).
Three freaking percent and it was approved by the bank !! And I thought those days were over !!