One of New York City's five boroughs, Staten Island offers a high quality of life and a laid-back country atmosphere. It's the third-largest borough by area but the least populated, providing residents with plenty of breathing room and plenty of natural spaces perfect for enjoying the outdoors.
With access to Manhattan and an abundance of beautiful outdoor spots, Staten Island offers the best of both worlds. The neighborhood is home to a variety of suburban amenities, including shopping malls, outlet centers, restaurants, delis, and other daily living essentials, giving residents an incredibly convenient lifestyle.
All of this combines to make Staten Island a great place to live, and it also explains why the housing market is so competitive — it's currently a seller's market, with more homebuyers wanting to live there than there are homes available.
One of the first and most important steps for anyone looking to buy a home in Staten Island is to hire a real estate agent. Having an experienced real estate professional by your side will give you better options, help you make an informed decision, and make it easier to navigate every step of the home buying process.
On this page, we’ll take a closer look at the current market and provide some insight into how working with a Staten Island, NY real estate agent can benefit you in reaching your real estate goals.
Staten Island, New York Real Estate Overview
If you are considering moving to Staten Island, we have a wide variety of real estate options available to you.
Most homes on Staten Island are single-family homes, making up 34% of the borough's housing market. Other popular housing options include duplexes, apartments, townhouses, and high-rise condominiums.
Staten Island homes feature a variety of elegant architectural styles, including Cape Cod, Dutch Colonial, New England Colonial, Queen Anne Victorian, Tudor, and Ranch.
Examples of common features found in homes for sale in Staten Island include:
Lush, meticulously manicured lawns. Bright, airy, well-appointed living spaces. Sophisticated custom designer details throughout. Spacious gourmet kitchen with breakfast nook and top-quality stainless steel appliances. Elegant bathrooms with premium fixtures. Master bedroom with large walk-in closet and stunning views. Ample storage space.
Neighborhoods in Staten Island
Prospective buyers considering moving to Staten Island will find a variety of neighborhoods, each with their own unique charm and character. Here's a quick rundown of some of the borough's neighborhoods.
Great Kills – Great Kills is home to many schools, making it a very popular neighborhood for families with children. This quiet neighborhood has a lot to offer, including great shops and restaurants along Amboy Road, the expansive 580-acre Great Kills Park, which features amenities such as a beach, spacious fields, and a network of trails perfect for walking and biking. St. George – Located on the northern tip of Staten Island, St. George is a historic neighborhood popular with Manhattan commuters due to its convenient location with easy ferry access. The neighborhood features a very walkable, pedestrian-friendly environment with plenty of bars, art galleries, and entertainment venues. St. George is home to a ton of great housing options, including spacious single-family homes, apartments, condos, and townhouses. Many of the neighborhood's most popular properties are located in the historic district, which is lined with stylish 19th-century homes. Huguenot – Located along the south shore of Staten Island, Huguenot is a quiet neighborhood with a very relaxed atmosphere. Primarily residential, the neighborhood has few commercial establishments, which adds to its laid-back charm. Huguenot residents can enjoy great outdoor attractions, including the beach and South Shore Country Club, which features first-class amenities, including a top-rated 18-hole golf course. New Dorp – New Dorp is known as one of Staten Island’s most popular neighborhoods due to its trendy, international vibe and walkable streets. Due to the neighborhood’s high population density, most of the available housing options consist of apartments, but there are also plenty of single-family homes in the area. In addition to the lively attractions along Main Street, New Dorp also offers easy access to the beach, making it perfect for those looking to relax outdoors. Oakwood Beach – In addition to boasting waterfront access, this picturesque corner of Staten Island features quiet tree-lined streets and old buildings that exude a laid-back, nostalgic vibe. Oakwood Beach is adjacent to Great Kills, giving residents easy access to top-rated Great Kills Park, making it a great choice for families.
The Benefits of Hiring a Real Estate Agent in Staten Island, NY
If you’re planning on buying a new home in Staten Island, you’re probably wondering about the pros and cons of hiring a real estate agent. Sure, there are some cons, but the benefits of having a real estate agent by your side as you go through the home buying process far outweigh those pros.
In a diverse and popular real estate market like Staten Island, relying on an experienced, trusted professional can help you make an informed decision. A real estate agent can act as your advisor and prepare you for each step of the home buying process, which is especially beneficial in a competitive and unpredictable market.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect as a home buyer when you hire a real estate agent in Staten Island, NY.
Detailed housing search
Most buyers already have a rough idea of the type of home they want, including key features like size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and personal must-haves like a home office or backyard patio.
While it certainly helps to have a list of requirements in mind when you begin your search, there will always be a property that better suits your needs and budget.
Searching for a home without a real estate agent leaves you with no choice but to explore all the available options on your own, which can be tedious and time-consuming. But with an experienced agent working with you, you have someone to help you narrow down the list to only those properties that fit your needs and preferences. Real estate agents usually know about all the homes available in the market they specialize in, so you can trust them to make the whole process more streamlined and stress-free.
Deep Market Knowledge
Part of a real estate agent's job is to stay on top of current trends and conditions in the real estate market. They are familiar with all the factors that drive the housing market, including mortgage rates, inventory, asking price-to-listed price ratios, average price per square foot, etc. They are experts who are familiar with the ins and outs of the local market and have comprehensive knowledge of homes for sale in their neighborhoods.
When you hire a real estate agent, you'll have access to in-depth knowledge about the area you're considering, which can help you make an informed decision more quickly, which is extremely important, especially in a competitive market.
Access to an expert network
Real estate agents know the other professionals involved in nearly every stage of the home buying and selling process, and most of them even have a list of agents they've worked with in the past and had good experiences with.
This is one of the biggest benefits a home buyer gets: buying a property requires working with other professionals in the real estate industry, such as appraisers, real estate attorneys, mortgage brokers, home inspectors, etc. When you hire a real estate agent, you can tap into their network, so you don't have to find and contact these professionals one by one yourself.
This is extremely helpful, especially for first-time real estate investors, as it helps you build a network of real estate professionals that you can rely on for your future real estate investment transactions.
Privacy and confidentiality
Real estate agents have a fiduciary responsibility to all the clients they do business with and are legally obligated to act in their clients' best interests.
Working with a real estate agent ensures a high degree of confidentiality, which is especially important for buyers. Without a real estate agent, you may end up giving personal financial information to a For Sale Privately (FSBO) seller who has no legal obligation to keep your information confidential.
Meticulous record keeping
While real estate agents are not lawyers, they can be an excellent resource, even years after a transaction has been closed. It is important to keep records of all your files, but you can rely on your real estate agent to safeguard all relevant information in case any real estate issues arise in the future. In fact, some states require all licensed real estate agents to keep complete files of all documents for every transaction.
If questions about the property come up again in the next few years, all you need to do is contact your real estate agent and gather the information you need to resolve the issue.
An objective and calm approach
A real estate agent can provide an unbiased perspective as you navigate the home-buying process and help you reach your goals and stay within your budget. They're also your go-to source for local information like zoning laws, utilities, contractors, and neighborhood amenities.
In addition, your real estate agent will write your requests objectively and forward them to the seller and his/her agent, effectively removing the emotional aspect from the transaction. If any heated arguments arise between the sellers during negotiations, you can trust that your real estate agent will handle them in a calm and professional manner.
Negotiation skills
You want the best real estate deal possible, so you want someone who will represent your best interests at the negotiating table.
Negotiating directly with sellers can often be a stressful process that involves a lot of back and forth, which is another great reason to hire a real estate agent. Real estate agents are skilled, experienced negotiators who have been in the business for years. They know what strategies work to secure the best deal for their clients.
Your agent can use data like nearby property comparisons to build a stronger case for you during negotiations and help you purchase a home in the price range you’re aiming for.
Facilitate the final walk-through
One of the most important steps before closing is the final walk-through.
The main purpose of the final walk-through is to ensure that the property is indeed in the condition you agreed to purchase it in. Your real estate agent will be there to ensure that all necessary repairs and replacements have been completed and the property will be handed over to you in like-new condition.
Work with our team of top real estate agents in Staten Island, NY today!
Looking to achieve your real estate goals in Staten Island? Contact Casandra Properties, Inc. and work with the finest real estate professionals in the area.
Founded by top real estate agent Cassandra Zappala, Casandra Properties, Inc. started as a small boutique firm and has since transformed into a full-service real estate company providing exceptional service to its clients. This top real estate firm has completed over $1 billion in real estate transactions in the past decade, making it the most experienced and trusted resource when it comes to Staten Island real estate.
If you would like to get in touch with a top real estate agent in Staten Island, NY, contact Casandra Properties, Inc. today by calling 718.720.0126 or emailing us at info(at)casandra(dotted)properties.