Buying in Suffern: the questions with sourced answers
Each answer is built from Suffern’s own rows in public data — the Census, NYSDOH, NYSDEC, FEMA, the office that holds the permits — or from Lou’s reports, and cites its source. Data retrieved 1 November 2026.
How old are the houses in Suffern?
Median year built in zip 10901: 1972 (Rockland County: 1970). Of 9,674 units, the 1970s built the most, 25%; 13% is from 2000 on. Next come the 1960s at 20% and the pre-1940 houses at 16%. An older house is not a worse house, but its wiring, plumbing and roof were installed under different rules and replaced piecemeal, which is what the inspection looks for. Lou’s reports here: 61 years old. (ACS)
How are homes in Suffern heated? Is an oil tank likely?
83% utility gas, 10% electricity; fuel oil 2% against 2% county-wide. NYSDEC logs 96 petroleum spills at private homes in Suffern since 1989, 41 since 2015. 5 were logged in 2012, the year of Hurricane Sandy. A tank is unlikely. An abandoned tank is most likely in a house that was converted from oil. Buried tanks are outside the standards New York sets for a home inspection, so the seller’s answer matters. (ACS, NYSDEC)
Is Suffern mostly houses or apartments, owned or rented?
52% detached houses, 12% buildings of 3 or 4 units, 11% attached single-family houses; 73% owner-occupied (Rockland County: 68%). Two- to four-unit buildings are 19%; a multi-family house means shared systems, separate meters and what each unit controls. (ACS)
Is radon a concern in Suffern?
Town of Ramapo: 844 basement tests, average 2.45 pCi/L, 134 at 4 or above (16%). Rockland County: 15% of 3,004. First-floor tests there: 263, average 1.34. On the share at 4 or above, it ranks 3rd of the county’s 5 towns and cities. The highest basement reading was 26.6 pCi/L. EPA’s action level is 4 pCi/L, and it advises testing every home whatever the area’s results. Radon testing is optional. (NYSDOH)
Has Suffern flooded? Is the house in a flood zone?
551 flood-insurance claims from zip 10901 since 1978, most in 2011 (170): 31st of the 189 zips on these pages. A claim count describes the zip, not the house. Flood zones follow the address. Check the address on FEMA’s map. (OpenFEMA)
Who holds the permits and certificate of occupancy in Suffern?
The Village of Suffern Building Department. ZIP 10901 also covers unincorporated Town of Ramapo addresses. Your attorney usually runs the search. The inspection reports the condition of what is there and flags work that typically needs a permit, such as a finished basement, a dormer or a moved panel, so you know what to ask about.
How does Suffern compare with the towns around it?
By median year built, fuel-oil share and owner-occupancy: Suffern (zip 10901) 1972, 2%, 73%; Pomona (zip 10970): built 1978, oil 5%, 78% owner-occupied; New City (zip 10956): built 1968, oil 1%, 94% owner-occupied; Congers (zip 10920): built 1974, oil 3%, 89% owner-occupied. (ACS)
Which code, water and sewer rules apply in Suffern?
The New York State Uniform Code, the county water supply and the county well-testing law: county-wide, written once. They are the same for every town in Rockland County, so they are set out there with their sources instead of on each page.
How much does a home inspection in Suffern cost, and how fast is the report?
Lou quotes the actual property, not a flat rate — what drives the price is size, age and what is included. The written report arrives the same day as a rule; a large or complex house can run to the next morning. Call or text 516-330-3870.
