Truesdale Lake  

South Salem, New York

Real Estate

Check Realtor.com or Zillow.com for properties for sale around South Salem and Truesdale Lake.

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Truesdale Lake Real Estate:

How do I know if a house I purchase has lake rights via TEA, TLPOA, or the Vreeland/Lovecross associations?

There has been much confusion about this, even among long time residents and real estate agents. Do your homework, regardless of the claims of sellers or real estate agents. The information below is required reading if you are thinking of purchasing a home in the Truesdale neighborhood and it is advertised with lake rights.

The TEA, TLPOA, and Vreeland/Lovecross assocations each have houses that are not ‘riparian’ (or lake-side). There are also properties “just outside” the deeded areas that are “close but no cigar” where it comes to lake rights. And the truesdale lake associations cannot simply “add them” to the deeded rights area.

There are links to lists of properties and street addresses on this website in the Associations section as well as maps (see links below).

The best way to verify lake rights status is to do all four of these:

  1. ask the homeowner if they are a member of TEA or TLPOA or the Vreeland/Lovecross association.
  2. ask your real estate agent to verify this information.
  3. verify it yourself by contacting the TEA (PO Box 363, South Salem, NY 10590) or the TLPOA (PO Box 193, South Salem, NY 10590) and ask them to send you a confirmation of the property’s status and dues payment history.
  4. Check the Map Section of the website to see the boundaries of TEA, TLPOA, and Vreeland/Lovecross.

#3 is the ultimate authority – only the associations themselves can tell you if a house is or is not in their association. Houses cannot be added to the deeded lake rights area.

If you are in the TEA association boundaries, you should also check to make sure the seller is current in their membership dues.  If they are not current members, you will have to pay initiation dues before the property is again eligible for TEA membership and able to use the lake. The TEA Treasurer or TEA Corresponding Secretary will have the most current information on which TEA properties are not currently members and can provide a letter for your closing attorney.

Important: New homeowners in TEA must join the association within the first fiscal year they are homeowners or else they lose their rights to join the association and use the association properties including the TEA Beach. The property still maintains its lake rights — but the TEA is a separate entity that owns the beach, boat launch property, and the lake bottom. All TEA members must join and pay annual membership dues in order to use the lake. Members who fail to pay dues are first suspended and then permanently expelled from the TEA if nonpayment continues. 

There two smaller collections of 20 houses directly on the lake or part of a development that is not part of either TEA or TLPOA. Some of these are in the Vreeland/Lovecross development off of Boway and also Hoyt Street. There are also unaffiliated properties on Lake Shore Drive that have direct lake access.

There are several houses and properties that have “lake rights” to Truesdale listed in their deeds. Back in the early days of Lake Truesdale, there were other associations and a number of lake access easements. Over time, more houses were built on the lake and those “other” associations have dissolved or properties were sold off and built on. So the “other” association does not exist and the access property was sold in the 1950s or before. This means even if your deed lists “lake rights” they may have no way to access the lake due to sales or adverse possession. If you have questions about this, use the Contact Us form on the side of the website.

Any other house does not have lake rights.

Are there maps of Association Boundaries?

Yes! The Truesdale Estates Association (TEA) and Truesdale Lake Property Owners Association maps are in the maps section here.

In addition, the Associations section of the website has maps and descriptions of the boundaries. Also check this listing of properties for each association or group of properties:

This information is provided as is with no guarantee of accuracy although many people have worked to make sure it is accurate. The associations are the final authority on which properties are within their borders. Consult the individual associations for definitive answers.

If I purchase a house near the lake neighborhood, but without lake rights, can I join an association?

No. You have to own property in one of the associations that carries Deeded Lake Rights in order to be in an association and use the lake.

Can I purchase lake rights to Truesdale Lake?

None of the associations on Truesdale Lake are able to sell lake rights.

A house must have the lake rights to a specific existing association (TEA, TLPOA, or Vreeland/Lovecross) written in the deed for the house or included as a right inherited from a master (original) deed. View the association TEA and TLPOA maps and property lists at the association pages.

The association deeded rights areas are fixed and cannot be altered without changing the nature of the associations themselves.

What houses are for sale on or around the lake?

Please check www.realtor.com, a real estate app like zillow, or your local real estate agent for this information. Spring seems to be a popular time for home sales and at any given time there are probably 3-5 of the 250+ houses with lake rights for sale.

Are there rental properties around the Lake?

Most residences are year-round, but there are some seasonal and annual rental properties. Some are right on the lake and others have lake rights since they are within one of the two associations. See a real estate agent for current availability of rentals.

Can you recommend any Real Estate Agents?

My personal favorite is Gina Reback (914.232.5007) from Houlihan Lawrence in Katonah (Gina Reback Link). Gina sold us our house on the lake so I can tell you she listens well to her clients wishes.

Sandy Katter (cell 914-844-8861; direct office line  914-232-1212 x337) is with Houlihan Lawrence and specializes in the lake communities.  Her email address is skatter@houlihanlawrence.com.  She has lived in the Truesdale Lake community for over 30 years and has sold many houses in the lake neighborhood.

Donna Ganung Ornstein (914-494-7242, donna.ornstein@cbmoves.com, Coldwell Banker Bedford). Donna has lived on the lake for over 35 years and has sold many homes on and around the lake both as a listing and buyer agent.

Ken Sobel (www.kensobel.com) is a lake area resident.

“Cheryl Neuburger sold my Husband and I our house on Truesdale Lake back in September of 2020 and it could not have been more of a seamless process, all thanks to her. As first time home owners, she patiently guided us through each step of the way and was an incredible resource for us from beginning to end. She has sold about 6 houses on Truesdale Lake over the last 2 years, making her one of the most experienced agents around for our neighborhood.” –a recently moved in resident (Cheryl’s contact info: CNeuburger@ginnel.com (914) 707-8577)

If anyone has any real estate agent suggestions, I’d be happy to put them up with your endorsement quote attributed.

If the information above needs to be updated, please email lake@truesdalelake.com and include this page address and the information that needs to be updated.