Downsizing in Huntington, and keeping the village

We are Mark Vogler and Gina DeMaio of The Vogler Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Laffey International Realty, at 315 Main St. We live in Huntington Village, and we hear the same thing from many of our clients here: "We are ready for less house, but we are not ready for less life."

The house you are leaving likely holds decades of updates, some permitted and some maybe not. Mark's 30 years in construction helps us find those issues early, before a buyer's inspector does. Gina's design eye helps decide what to keep, what to clear out and how to present the house after years of living in it.

We treat everyone like family, and we know this move can be emotional. We are patient with it, and we tell you what you need to hear, kindly.

Huntington makes downsizing easier than most towns because there is so much to do within a small radius. Main Street and New York Avenue, Heckscher Park, Huntington Harbor and the Huntington Yacht Club are all close, and the community calendar keeps going year-round. The Huntington LIRR station makes trips into the city simple.

The challenge is that smaller homes near the village are often older cottages and bungalows, and some have been expanded in ways that do not suit one-level living. We help you look past the photos at the layout and the stairs.

Some downsizers also look east to downsizing in Northport, which is quieter and centered on the harbor. If you want to know what your current house is worth first, start with a Huntington home valuation.

The hardest part of downsizing is usually not the smaller house. It is the timing. Most of our downsizing clients are selling the home they raised a family in and buying a new place at the same time, and the order of those two steps changes everything: your budget, your stress level and whether you end up moving twice. We sit down with you early and map it out. Do you need the sale proceeds to buy? Can you carry both homes for a short time? Would a later closing on your current home give you the room you need? We lay out the options in writing so you can choose with a clear head.

We also talk about what you want your days to look like. A lot of people downsizing around Huntington still want an active social life, and being near the village puts restaurants, shops, the Cinema Arts Centre, the Paramount and Heckscher Park close by. Others want a quieter street a few minutes out. Single-floor living, fewer stairs and less yard work are common goals, and older cottages and bungalows can be charming but need a careful look. We help you weigh those trade-offs before you fall for a house, not after.

And when it comes time to sell, we help you sort through a house full of memories without rushing you. A few repairs and good presentation usually matter more than a big renovation.

We also give you two or three vetted names for movers, attorneys and other help you may need, never just one, so you can choose the people who fit you best. And when questions come up in the evening, call us. We answer.