Are rising gas prices quietly reshaping what “location” means for buyers in Nassau and western Suffolk this spring? We asked Long Island real estate agents whether commuters are placing new value on shorter drives, proximity to the Long Island Rail Road station, walkable downtowns or move-in-ready homes that reduce other monthly costs. Here’s what they had to say:
Patrick Hall
BRANCH REAL ESTATE GROUP
SEA CLIFF
At this point, I don’t see gas prices as a primary driver in buyer behavior. If elevated costs persist over the next few months, it could start to influence decision-making, but we’re not there yet. Right now, the dominant factor remains the lack of available inventory. Serious buyers simply don’t have the luxury of being overly selective, and when the right property comes up, they’re acting. Whether rising costs begin to shift that urgency is something we’ll be watching closely, but for now, demand is still being dictated by supply, not external pressures.
Mark Stempel
BLUE ISLAND HOMES
BELLMORE AND GREENVALE
Absolutely. It is influencing the market, but not in a one-size-fits-all way.
For traditional commuters in Nassau and western Suffolk, rising gas prices are definitely sharpening the focus on convenience.
We are seeing more emphasis on proximity to the Long Island Railroad, shorter drive times, and towns where daily needs are close by. Walkable downtowns and easy access to major roadways are carrying more weight than they did even a year ago because buyers are thinking about the cumulative cost and time of getting to and from work.
In the luxury market, the dynamic is a bit different. Buyers are less sensitive to gas prices themselves, but they are still very focused on lifestyle efficiency. Convenience, privacy, and ease of living drive decisions more than cost savings. That can mean being close to the train for flexibility or choosing locations that reduce overall friction in a busy schedule. Move-in-ready homes are also very appealing at the high end, not because of operating costs, but because buyers want a seamless transition without the time commitment of renovations.
So, location is not being redefined, but it is being viewed through two different lenses. For commuters, it is about saving time and controlling monthly expenses. For luxury buyers, it is about maximizing lifestyle and convenience without compromise.
Jane Walsh
DANIEL GALE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
PORT WASHINGTON
Rising gas prices have not yet directly measurably reshaped the market, but it is still early. What they do reinforce, however, are trends already well underway – particularly the return to in-person work and the growing desire for shorter, more efficient commutes across Nassau and western Suffolk. We’re seeing buyers place increasing value on proximity to the LIRR, walkable downtowns, and overall commute convenience, even when it requires trade-offs in home size and yard space.
Builders are targeting smaller, older properties near train lines, recognizing the land itself has become more valuable than ever. A recent example in Port Washington saw a newly constructed home on a roughly 6,000-square-foot lot, very close to the train, sell for $2.4 million – pricing that would have been difficult to imagine in that location in years past. It was the combination of move-in-ready new construction and commute ease that ultimately drove value.
I recently worked with buyers who chose a significantly smaller home specifically to secure a short walk to the train.
They are leaving the city and wanted a larger yard, but have compromised to make family time and ease of commute a priority.
EV chargers also continue to be a desirable perk, reflecting how buyers are thinking about long-term commuting costs and convenience.
Rising oil prices, of course, also affect building material costs, and this could eventually start to show up in buyer data.
While not universal, these trends are strong for a large portion of current buyers.
Juan Roa
THE AGENCY
HUNTINGON
Gas prices aren’t totally changing the game, but they’re definitely nudging how buyers think about location right now.
A lot of buyers already have a general sense of what commuting costs them, but with prices jumping, they’re paying more attention to the day-to-day impact. So instead of just asking “Do I like this house?” they’re also thinking, “What’s it going to cost me to live here every month?”
That’s where things like being close to the LIRR, having a shorter drive, or living near a walkable downtown start to matter more. If you can grab coffee, hit a restaurant, or run errands without getting in the car every time, that adds up.
Move-in-ready homes are also getting more attention because buyers don’t want extra projects or surprise costs on top of everything else.
So gas prices aren’t the main driver, but they’re definitely pushing buyers toward locations that make life easier, more efficient, and a little less expensive overall.
This article appears in the May issue of Long Island Home in the Long Island Press. Tap this link to read the full digital version. For previous Real Estate Roundtable articles, click here.
