By: Ramu Garuda  Mar. 19, 2018

The state of New York experienced its rate of vacant homes tick up from 10.36 percent in 2009 to 12.43 percent in 2016. According to a recent Gavop analysis performed using Census Bureau  survey data, the uptick is in opposition to the national trend, which saw a slight fall from 12.57 percent to 12.41 percent during the same timeframe.

Rockland County, located on the west side of the Hudson, reported the highest vacancy rate in 2016. Some 21.53 percent of its homes were vacant. Counties with the next highest vacancy rates were spread throughout the state. Monroe County, in western New York and on Lake Ontario, reported a 12.25 percent vacancy rate within its borders. Bronx County was third, with a 9.95 percent vacancy share.

The majority of vacant homes in the state were used for seasonal, recreational or occasional use. A reported 35.08 percent of all vacant homes were used for the above purpose in 2016. Some 15.44 percent of the homes were labeled as rentals, and just 7.17 percent of the vacant homes were for sale.

Suffolk County, located on Long Island, reported the highest share of vacant homes being used as occasional use residences. While the percentage dropped from 62.99 percent in 2009, it remained high, at 59.41 percent in 2016. St. Lawrence County, in northern New York, reported the second highest rates of vacant homes designated as occasional-use residences at 55.19 percent. The county also reported the second-highest rates of vacant homes for sale, with 9.92 percent of the total share.

The county with the highest share of empty homes for sale was Nassau County. The region held 17.1 percent of vacant homes for sale in 2016. Inventory was not as high for renters, though, as the vacancy rate was below 1 percent. Only .93 percent of vacant homes in Nassau County were available for rent.

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