Buying a Home Inside the Gates of Tuxedo Park, NY: What to Know

by Ammar Iqbal

By Ammar Iqbal | Real Estate Salesperson, eXp Realty

The Village of Tuxedo Park is one of the most unique places to buy a home in Orange County, NY. It is a private, gated village with historic homes, lakes and wooded hillsides. That setting is a big part of the appeal, but it also means buying here works a little differently than in most towns. Here is what to know before you start looking.

Life Behind the Gate

Tuxedo Park is entered through a staffed gatehouse, and access is controlled. Residents are known at the gate, and guests, deliveries and contractors are generally checked in. For buyers, this means quiet, private roads and a strong sense of security. It also means you will want to plan showings, inspections and moving day ahead of time so everyone can get through the gate.

Historic Homes and Architectural Review

Many homes in the village are large, older estates and cottages, some dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The village has a Board of Architectural Review, and many exterior changes, such as additions, new windows, roofs or other visible work, may need its approval. Before you buy, ask:

What changes you plan to make, and whether they need review.
Whether past work on the home was approved and permitted.
How long the approval process usually takes.

Open permits can delay a closing. Our post on open building permits in Orange County explains why this matters.

Older Homes Need Careful Inspections

Historic houses have charm, but they can come with older heating systems, roofs, wiring or plumbing. Hire a thorough inspector, and consider specialists for chimneys, septic or oil tanks if needed. Our home inspection checklist is a good place to start.

Village vs. Town of Tuxedo

The Village of Tuxedo Park sits inside the larger Town of Tuxedo. Not every home with a Tuxedo or Tuxedo Park mailing address is inside the gates, so confirm the exact location and which taxes apply before you make an offer.

Getting Around

Despite the private feel, the village is close to Route 17 and the New York State Thruway, and the Tuxedo train station on Metro-North's Port Jervis Line is nearby. Harriman State Park and Sterling Forest are right next door. See things to do in Tuxedo Park and living in Tuxedo Park for more.