M
aria and Pat Toth first crossed paths in 1978 at Pergament Home Center in Port Jefferson, Long Island. Maria worked with wallpaper while Pat was the third‑man behind the counter. They married, bought a ranch in Shirley, and later moved to a raised ranch in Coram, just south of their hometown. Maria taught special education; Pat sold insurance. As retirement approached, the Coram home felt too large and burdensome—13 stairs, a yard, an above‑ground pool, and a sense of isolation from family. Maria longed to return to Port Jefferson, closer to their children and grandchildren, and to enjoy village perks like free downtown parking and private beaches.
They had planned a five‑year downsizing, but Maria retired two years early, shortening the timeline to three years. Anticipating a sale price of about $700,000, they set a cash budget of $650,000, refusing any loans. A year ago, they reached out to Deniz Ozgur of OverSouth Real Estate, who was listing a Port Jefferson home and knew their son. They expressed interest in a smaller ranch or a townhouse where most maintenance would be handled by the homeowners’ association. Two bedrooms were required, plus space for Pat’s freelance martial‑arts photography business—he had filled a niche for karate school photography and also worked part‑time in retail.
Early showings revealed numerous dealbreakers: a steep driveway, proximity to a noisy hospital, a three‑bedroom with only one bathroom, and general buyer fatigue. Ozgur urged them to aim higher, warning that a house that seemed adequate now could become problematic in a year or two. She presented three options:
1. **Two‑bedroom, three‑bath townhome (1995)** – 1,400 sq ft over two levels, open kitchen with breakfast bar, vaulted‑ceiling primary suite, walk‑in closet, glass doors to a bluestone patio, and a condo community near the Port Jefferson LIRR station. Amenities included a pool, tennis courts, and a gym. Listed at $499,000 with monthly fees of about $600.
2. **Three‑bedroom, three‑bath semi‑attached townhouse (1998)** – 2,400 sq ft across three levels, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, skylights, a den, and a basement. A walk‑out lower level and a 400‑sq‑ft deck overlook the woods. No community amenities. Priced at $645,000 with monthly fees around $100.
3. **Two‑bedroom, two‑bath townhome (1983)** – 2,000 sq ft at the end of a wooded cul‑de‑sac, originally a three‑bedroom home with a wall removed to create a large suite. Skylight in the living room, kitchen pass‑through, and a balcony overlooking a wood patio. The community offered a heated pool. Listed at $669,000 with monthly fees of $500.
**Which would you choose?**
- Two‑bedroom with shared amenities
- Three‑bedroom with three levels
- Converted two‑bedroom with backyard
**Which did they buy?**
- Two‑bedroom with shared amenities
- Three‑bedroom with three levels
- Converted two‑bedroom with backyard
