Blog > Where Will We Find Your Next Home? The Creative Approach to Buying on Long Island in 2025
Where Will We Find Your Next Home? The Creative Approach to Buying on Long Island in 2025
by
Title: Where Will We Find Your Next Home? The Creative Approach to Buying on Long Island in 2025
Buying a home on Long Island isn’t as simple as setting up a Zillow alert. With inventory at historic lows and homeowners staying put longer than ever, the traditional path of waiting for the “perfect” listing to hit the market may leave you frustrated and empty-handed.As a local real estate agent who has lived and worked here for decades, I’ve learned that the best homes are often found before they hit the market — and it takes strategy, connections, and persistence to get buyers into those homes.The Inventory Challenge: Long Island by the Numbers
Nationally, the average homeowner stays in their home for about 8 years. On Long Island, that number is closer to 12–15 years in many neighborhoods, especially in established communities like Port Jefferson, Setauket, and Stony Brook.As of early 2025, Suffolk County’s active inventory remains 30–40% below pre-pandemic levels.The number of new listings year-over-year has barely budged, despite rising demand from upsizing families, downsizers, and people relocating for jobs at places like Stony Brook University or local hospitals.In some areas, there are less than two months’ worth of supply, meaning homes go quickly and often with multiple offers.So Where Do We Find Homes for Buyers?
Here’s the truth: many of the best homes are not yet on the open market. That’s why we don’t just rely on the MLS — we go beyond it. Here’s how I help my buyers discover homes others might miss:MLS + Private Listings
Of course, the MLSLI is still our primary source for active listings. But I also monitor private office exclusives and “coming soon” listings that other agents within my network share before they hit the public sites.Golden Letters (Direct Mail with Intention)
When a buyer is targeting a very specific neighborhood or type of home, I don’t wait around. I send customized letters — often called golden letters — to homeowners who may be open to selling but haven’t listed yet. These are highly personalized and often yield incredible results. It’s not about spam — it’s about sincere outreach to find a match.Database & Past Client Network
Having lived and worked here most of my life, I’ve built strong relationships with homeowners and professionals in the community. I regularly tap into my database and past clients who may be considering a future move, even if they’re months away from listing. A quiet conversation sometimes opens a door no one else saw coming.
Agent-to-Agent Networking
Real estate is still a relationship business. I stay in close contact with other top agents across Long Island and especially in Suffolk County, where pocket listings and agent-exclusive opportunities still matter.Thanks to training with top industry experts like Sharran Srivatsa, I use a buyer presentation that clearly lays out your options — from MLS homes to off-market strategies — and we act proactively, not passively. His framework encourages "event-driven buying" and working ahead of the curve, not behind it.
Why This Matters to You
If you’re buying in a competitive market, your agent needs more than just a search alert. You need someone who will:
✅ Ask the right questions about your goals✅ Create a custom plan for your search
✅ Be bold and creative about uncovering hidden opportunities
✅ Leverage data, relationships, and strategy to give you an edge
Thinking of buying on Long Island this year?
Let’s talk about your dream home and where we’re most likely to find it — whether that’s on the MLS this week or in a homeowner’s mailbox next month.
Beth Hayde, Lic. RE Salesperson at Real Broker, NY | 516.972.0051 | beth haydesellshomes@gmail.com