The Huntington Farmers Market opened today for the season!  I set the alarm for 6:30 this morning to arrive early – and I wasn’t disappointed!

Strawberries from the East End.  Fresh broccoli rabe ravioli.  Raw Honey from Centerport.  Live Crabs!  …and much more!  Open Sundays from 7-11.  Located in the Municipal Parking Lot next to Central Presbyterian Church on Main Street, with plenty of parking in the rear parking lot.

Don’t miss the WLIW/21 documentary about The Town of Huntington on Monday, June 7 at 8 pm!  “Hometown Huntington” explores the rich history of the Town – past, present and future.  Several former and current residents are featured, including:  Patti Lapone (Northport native), Ralph Macchio (Dix Hills native), the Lockhorn’s Bunny Hoest (Huntington) and Bernadette Castro (Lloyd Harbor).  Huntington is a wonderful place to live – the beautiful beaches, picturesque villages and towns and lively cultural scene!  For the 4^th year in a row, the “Best of Long Island” poll (“Long Island Press”) has ranked Huntington the “Best Downtown”!

You can view a preview of the program at wliw.org/huntington and a DVD of the program will be available later at wliw.org with a suggested donation. But you can watch it for Free on Monday, June 7, Channel 21 at 8 pm!

The annual Town of Huntington’s Halloween Children’s  Costume Parade is October 31st!  Children of all ages – along with their parents or guardians are invited to walk in the parade.  Meet in front of the Huntington Post Office on Gerard Street at 1:00 pm. 

From 11:00 am to 6:00 pm village merchants are passing out candy to all “Trick-or-Treaters” .  So, kids, come as your favorite character or creepy creature – and don’t forget a bag to hold all your “treats”!  For more information call 631-351-2877.

Make arrangements now to attend “Miracle on 34th Street” at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport on December 2, 2009! This special performance is sponsored by the Huntington Township Chapter, Long Island Board of Realtors with proceeds benefiting Long Island Cares – The Harry Chapin Food Bank. 

To purchase tickets – Contact Antoinette Steo – 631-549-2600 or antoinettesteo@optonline.net

There are a couple of First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs available for local  residents.

For Huntington residents wishing to purchase a home in the Town of Huntington, the Town has a great program for First-Time Homebuyers called the “Huntington American Dream Homebuyers Assistance Program” which matches funds for a down-payment.  There are eligibility and income requirements and the purchase price of the home cannot exceed $396,150.  For more information and to request an application contact the TOH Community Development Agency at 631-351-2881.  Huntington American Dream Homebuyer Assistance Program.

Although it’s over for this year, there is a Suffolk County Down Payment Assistance Program for First-Time Homebuyers which will start up again next May.  I’ll post information about that program next Spring.

The State of New York has several programs for First-Time Homebuyers which include such benefits as below-market interest rates, financing up to 97%, new construction incentives, financing for remodeling an existing home, programs for military veterans and more.  All are designed to make the home purchase more affordable for low and moderate income families.  The easiest way to see if you qualify for one of these SONYMA programs is to go to their website.

To find out more information about these homes, click on a photo.

Any Questions?  Want to arrange an appointment to view any home, please contact me at Team@CherylGrossman.com or call 631-223-8549.  More homes at www.LIagent.com

Looking for a beautiful home to rent in Dix Hills, Melville or in the Town of Huntington?  I selected some of my favorites – but you can change the perimeters of the search if you choose.  just click on a home and when you land on the listing page click on the Search Tab to make your changes.

For more information or to view a home please contact Team LIagent.com at Rentals@cherylgrossman.com or 631-493-0542.  You can view All Homes on MLS, Download School Reports (including Half Hollow Hills School District) at www.LIagent.com.

The first Farmer’s Market in Huntington Station opens July 25th (from 7 AM until Noon) and will be held every Saturday until Labor Day.  Located across from the Yankee Peddler – in the parking field on the corner of Church Street and New York Avenue this is your chance to enjoy the freshly grown produce from Terry Farms in Orient Point – without the hour trip out east.

In addition to the fresh fruits and vegetables you can purchase home-baked artisan breads and fresh cheescake.   Artists in the Attic and the antique dealers from the Yankee Peddler will participate also.  You can browse through art and antiques while picking out the freshest produce on Long Island!

Terry’s farms is one of the oldest farms in NY State.  The family has been farming for over 400 years!  The Town hopes that everyone patronizes the market so that they will come back next year.  Supervisor Petrone plans to be at the Farmer’s Market around 10 AM on Saturday 25th to help kick it off.  To find out what produce will be seasonally available check the website for the Long Island Growers.

The Town of Huntington was a significant force for the patriot cause during the Revolutionary War.   And the Town has the artifacts to prove it!  Almost one in four men from the town volunteered to fight in defense of liberty and independence. The Huntington Militia, reactivated as a bi-centennial project in 1973,  today is the official ceremonial guard for the Town of Huntington.  To celebrate and honor these patriots the Town Clerk, Jo-Ann Raia, has created an exhibit with documents and artifacts from the Archives.  Included in the exhibit are coins struck for Huntington, military weapons and hand-written documents relating the harsh conditions that were imposed on the residents by the King of England.  

The displays on the main level are available for the public to see.  Tours of the Town archives for groups can be arranged by contacting Jo-Ann Raia, the Town Clerk, at 631-351-3216.  It’s a remarkable exhibit and worth a trip to view it.  See History of the Town of Huntington.

Want a Market Report for Dix Hills, Melville, Commack, E. Northport, Greenlawn, Huntington, Huntington Station, Centerport or Northport?  Click on one of the Towns on the Chart Animator at the top of the right sidebar – or the Market Reports Tab – and fill out the request form on the Reports Page.   Altos Research will immediately email a Market Report to you for the Town you select.  You may want to request the 10-page Market Update Report if you’re considering selling your home – or just want a more in-depth report.  I’ll be happy to provide that for you.   These reports are also available for any Town in the Metro NY area.  Please contact me at cheryl@liagent.com or 631-493-0542, indicate which Town and which type of report you want and I will email one to you.  

Note:  The median house size is based on square footage – and except for new or newer homes – most of the homes listed on the Long Island MLS do not include square footage.  That’s why the number is so large.  I have requested that Altos Research put in N/A for that category – but we’re still working on that…

Housing Market Reports are now available live – with updated information for Dix Hills, Melville, Huntington, Huntington Sta., Centerport, Northport, E. Northport, Greenlawn and Commack!  There’s also reports for condominium developements including The Greens.  You can request an Executive Summary Report – or even the full Market Report for your area.  Altos Research is a well-respected company that provides statistical reports for real estate and I’m excited to be able to provide this service on my site.

Either click on the Report Animation at the top of the page or the Market Report tab to request your reports.  If your area is not listed, contact me at cheryl@liagent.com and I will send one to you.