Updated answer, according to Trulia;
Average price per square foot for Staten Island NY was $348, an increase of 32.3% compared to the same period last year. The median sales price for homes in Staten Island NY for May 09 to Jul 09 was $360,000 based on 549 home sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median home sales price decreased 9.6%, or $38,252, and the number of home sales decreased 47.8%.

There are currently 2,433 resale and new homes in Staten Island on Trulia, including 1 open house, as well as 248 homes in the pre-foreclosure, auction, or bank-owned stages of the foreclosure process. The average listing price for homes for sale in Staten Island NY was $518,856 for the week ending Aug 05, which represents an increase of 0.4%, or $2,036, compared to the prior week. Popular neighborhoods in Staten Island include Dongan Hills and Tottenville, with average listing prices of $359,407 and $748,582.

The median sales price for homes in Staten Island NY for Mar 09 to May 09 was $360,000. This represents a decline of 3.6%, or $13,500, compared to the prior quarter and a decrease of 10.1% compared to the prior year. Sales prices have appreciated 7.5% over the last 5 years in Staten Island.

The average listing price for Staten Island homes for sale on Trulia was $524,978 for the week ending Jun 17, which represents a decline of 0.8%, or $4,462, compared to the prior week and a decline of 2.3%, or $12,253, compared to the week ending May 27. Average price per square foot for Staten Island NY was $314, an increase of 21.2% compared to the same period last year. Popular neighborhoods in Staten Island include Dongan Hills, Tottenville, Mariners Park, Rossville, Arden Heights, and Woodrow.

Hi Kara,

Very good question and very dificult to answer. What I see recently is that the majority of the buyers right now are 1st time home buyers who are in a hurry to cash in on the $8,000 tax credit that will expire before 12/01/09 and are utilizing the FHA financing.These buyers are buying single family homes or townhomes in the 300K-400K price range. Prety much you can buy a home today with only 10K down and include your closing cost into the the mortgage payment as long as the seller agrees to allow sellers concessions. But you need to have a decent credit score a good job and an income to qualify. What is selling? anything that is priced right and what a buyer can afford.
Hope this answers your question.
If you'd like to check me out please visit my web site at http://www.irenapopilevsky.com

The answer is 'It Depends'. Each seller can accept or reject or counter an offer. But at the very least a buyer should be preapproved for a mortgage and shouldn't have any contingency or settlement time issues.

And if your agent is not your Buyers Agent, then they have a fiduciary responsibility to the seller.
Rates are low, and the choices are many so call me, Robert at VIP Real Estate, 718-967-2600, with any questions that you may have.

Wow...way to NOT answer the question.

Hi Kara,
When homes are priced correctly they will sell. Mortgage rates are still low and if your a 1st time buyer then this should be a good time to buy. Of course you should get preapproved for a mortgage.
Call me, Robert, at VIP Real Estate, 718-967-2600 x312, with any questions.
Bob