Weekend Wrap-up; Renting Sight Unseen... Winter of Our Discontent Continues!

So, it was another snowy weekend here on the East End.    The snow, the ice, the frigid cold and the general lousy weather continues here in the Hamptons.     While internet activity for rentals and sales still remains strong and steady,  the number of people willing to trek through snow and frigid temps is dwindling.    This in turn has led to a number of

Rapid Rescue... lifesavers!  Yep, that's my car!

rentals actually being rented sight unseen.   One broker I spoke with "E" said it, "makes me very nervous."    Renting from a picture which could have very well been photo-shopped is a bad idea.    Another agent "G" indicated that they're seeing tenants from previous seasons going back to the house they rented last year so they don't have to come back out and look again.    Speaking to my cadre (aren't you impressed with my vocabulary?) of experienced brokers and agents, the weather continues to put somewhat of a damper on the Hamptons market.   That being said, once the snow melts they're expecting an explosion of activity....  because phones are ringing and e-emails are being traded back and forth.  So the grade for this weekend was a C+. I really have to go to Florida soon! 

An offer at Guild Hall you can't refuse!

If you want an example of how difficult it is to get around the Hamptons, look no further than yours truly.     I made the mistake of taking my "4 Wheel" car out last night to pick up some food.    But alas, after one gunning of the accelerator and a slippy driveway I ended up in a snow bank on my own driveway.   I mean with all of the ice, if you don't see sharp you'll be flat (read that again).   Anyway, thanks to RAPID RECOVERY and $135,  I finally got my car out this morning.    By the way, I also want to thank my lovely neighbor for trying to pretend he didn't see.    I wasn't going to ask for your help anyway!    So for the next few days, keep Rapid Recovery on speed dial, they were great and there in about an hour...(631) 728-7752.


Meanwhile, this week there's an offer at Guild Hall you can't refuse.  The East Hampton film society will be presenting a special screening this Thursday night at 7 p.m. of the 1972 classic, "The Godfather."  Personally I liked the "Godfather II" better but still this flick glues me to the screen every time I catch it on TV.   Tickets are $8.00 for non members.  If you want more information  click here for the website and you can also buy tickets.  So, take it to the mattresses and go get a ticket.... otherwise you may find a horse in your bed!
catch it.

VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS IF YOU WANT TO BREAK UP.... PLUS, SNOW....AGAIN... SO RELAX.

Doesn't this scream romance? Murph's

Happy Valentines Day Weekend everyone!    It's that time of year when every newspaper and blogger in the Hamptons has ideas about romantic getaways and where to go.   But where do you go when you want to break up? Forget the romance ambiance of 1770 House or East Hampton Grill, take your date to one of these notable locations and you'll be sure to be single by Monday!

Murphs, Sag Harbor - It's not that the place isn't good.   But there is absolutely nothing romantic
about this place.  It's loud, it's packed and the idea of having a quiet conversation with any sort of privacy is out of the question.    The only way anyone gets romantic there is if the beer goggles are so tight you become oxygen deprived! 

Village Hardware, East Hampton - Here's the way this one goes down.    You buy two tickets to see "Fifty Shades of Grey" at the matinee or 4:00 pm show.   You then promise a nice early romantic dinner after the movie.   After suffering through aforementioned movie, you remark how "hot" you got during the Hardware Store Scene(above).   You stroll over to Village Hardware so you can buy "a few things."   When you get to the store, head right to the staple guns!  If your date hasn't already disappeared then maybe you should.   RUN!

The front door is only a few more feet!

Harlow, Sag Harbor -  Who doesn't love a nice romantic location!?    Yes, they're closed for the season.... but if you order this weekend maybe you'll get your entree by Memorial Day Weekend.   If you want to actually try to have food, stop by the IGA first for two sandwiches and a small bag of Sun Chips.   It's all about the view right... frost bite or not!

Now for the other part of the weekend that has everyone in a tizzy.   The projected 6'' of snow we're
supposed to get this Saturday night into Sunday.  This comes hot on the tail of a  reported "frenzy" for seasonal rentals.   As I said on Monday, so many drives and walkways are covered with hard packed ice, many sellers and homeowners are blocking showings to protect against a potential lawsuit.   Yes some good homes were rented already last fall or by the renters with good snow boots but inventory is still good.     So, don't believe the hype... sip your hot chocolate, relax and have a wonderful Valentine's Day Weekend!    Hopefully you won't be going to Village Hardware or Murph's! 

Snowpocalypse... Snowmageddon..... Blizzard '15. Here are the pictures!

OK, so this is a good transition blog for me.   I took some time off to recharge my creative juices.     So look for a new blog tomorrow.  I promise.  In the meantime, I took a drive around town so you don't have to go outside.

Yes....... I have to include Bella and Russell!

Chilly Scenes of Winter… in The Hamptons!!!

Town Line Beach, Wainscottt

My favorite Hamptons Snow Bunnies!

Wainscott

Georgica Pond

The White House, East Hampton Village

East Hampton Village

Off the Pond, EH Village

East Hampton Library

Dune Alpin….. snowy horse fields!

Yeah, my dogs.  It's my blog… so my dogs!

Where else in the world would you pay over a million dollars to live on a place called Swamp Road!!?

Yes... it is called Swamp Road for a reason!!! Someone told me the water tables are extremly high in the Hamptons right now dues to impendending doom of 2012. Just kidding but the storms last month and the heavy snows this winter HAVE left the Hamptons a little under water. But it's not just Swamp that's swamped... for some reason Narrow Lane is DEEP AND NARROW!?!? But in spite of all of this... the real estate market seems to be bouncing back0! As for how deep is Narrow Lane? See the pictures below:

East Hampton is open... so is the rest of the Hamptons! Except for CHASE!

So, a quick blog today. I was out and about town today. While most of the Hamptons is open; you can buy madras pants at JCrew or get a new Polo at Ralph Lauren there are a few things you can't do. You can't walk into a real estate office, relax everyone nobody is looking at houses today. You also can't do any banking at CHASE! Apple Bank is open. North Fork is open. But Chase is closed!!! HUH?! There's another reason I hate this bank!!! Anyway, here are some pictures of what's going on around town.. let's start with the closed Chase Bank!

Another blog about buidings, dogs and people!

Posted via web from pjmhamptons's posterous

I'm surprised more people dont know about the SPRINGS DOG PARK but given how the town is slowly trying to keep the fidos off the beach, I have a feeling more and more folks will start discovering it. Well maybe not today, given all of the snow we have.

The park is an open 42-acre former nursery, in which vehicles are prohibited, comprises about half the park. It is reached by a long driveway from Three Mile Harbor Road. It's right past Squaw Rd on your right as you're heading away from town.

You would think everyone loves a place where man's best friend is allowed to frolic freely, but then again you have to remember this is East Hampton. Some of the neighbors are a bit cranky about the whole situation, including Councilman Brad Loewan who recently was quoted, “The majority of people in my community . . . feel excluded due to discomfort with dogs, fear, or whatever their reasons may be,” he said, vowing to make good on a campaign promise “to regain the park for everyone.”
Ummmm... Brad, there's like 50 other parks out here where there are no dogs. Lighten up!

But thank god for a voice of reason Town Councilwoman Pat Mansir rebutted Mr. Loewen’s comments. “I think you’ve got one hell of a nerve,” she told him. “This is one park in this town that people use it and love it. We’re trying to make this park accessible to people.... who want to go down there whether they have a dog or not.”

Posted via web from pjmhamptons's posterous

Anyway, I love this park , I love the dogs there and it's really one of the unique spaces that make the Hamptons special. When you're there... make sure you walk to the end and check out the dog log. This was originally on the beach and owners would carve there dogs names into it. A few years ago, somebody brought the log to the park and there it stays!! Cool huh?

My Hamptons/Metropolitan diary observation of this week was at the Hampton Boooks store in East Hampton. A very smartly dressed man took a copy of Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue" and placed it in the "FICTION" section. If you have a diary moment... send it to me, I'd be happy to report.