Queens, New York
Selling a home in Astoria
Astoria's two-family houses near the N and W trains draw both owner-occupants and investors, and they need careful pricing.
Get my free home valueAbout Astoria
Two-families, Ditmars Boulevard and the East River
Astoria sits in northwest Queens on the East River, across from Manhattan's Upper East Side and Randalls Island. Astoria Park stretches along the water between the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge and the Hell Gate Bridge. Steinway Street, 30th Avenue, Broadway and Ditmars Boulevard are the main shopping streets, and Kaufman Astoria Studios and the Museum of the Moving Image are in the neighborhood.
The N and W trains run above 31st Street, stopping at 39th Avenue, 36th Avenue, Broadway, 30th Avenue, Astoria Boulevard and Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard. The M and R stop at Steinway Street and 46th Street, under Broadway, and NYC Ferry's Astoria route stops in the neighborhood. Most blocks are a short walk from a station, a big part of what draws buyers here.
Homes in Astoria
What sellers should know
Astoria has many attached and semi-detached two- and three-family brick houses, detached houses near Ditmars Boulevard, prewar walk-ups and co-ops, and newer condo buildings, including on the waterfront. For multi-family houses, rent rolls and the legal unit count drive both price and financing. Co-op sellers need board approval, and newer condo sellers should know their building's tax abatement schedule.
Organize the rent roll
Buyers of Astoria two- and three-families look closely at current leases and rents. Clear records help them qualify for a loan.
Confirm the legal unit count
Check that your certificate of occupancy matches how the house is used. A mismatch can stall financing late in the deal.
Check for rent-stabilized units
Larger walk-up buildings may have rent-stabilized apartments. Know which units are covered, because it changes what an investor will pay.
Name your station
Say whether you are closest to the N and W on 31st Street or the M and R on Broadway. Astoria buyers shop by commute.
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Selling a home in Astoria: questions
Can a buyer add a unit to an Astoria two-family?
Possibly. Rules adopted in December 2024 allow one ancillary dwelling unit on a one- or two-family lot, up to 800 square feet. A two-family that adds an attic, basement or attached unit is treated as a three-family under the state Multiple Dwelling Law unless a fire wall separates it, so get an architect's view first.
Where can buyers see violations on my building?
Building permits and violations are with the Department of Buildings. For rental buildings, HPDONLINE shows housing code complaints and violations.
Is my block in a flood zone?
Blocks near the East River shoreline can be mapped as flood-prone. The NYC Flood Hazard Mapper and FloodHelpNY show your address's zone.