Three little bears, rentals and summer tales... and a few reminders for the tenants!!!

If only tenants were funny like John Candy!

While I don't consider Memorial Day Weekend the true D-day for summer rentals.  That day is of course the first Friday of August. It does sometimes get a bit hairy for everybody.  So how do I know? Well as we all know brokers and agents love to tell  war stories.  So, I've been collecting some tales while buying martinis or Malbacs.   Believe me it's worth it and the stories are quite entertaining. 

In vino or vodka veritas!   Although I've personally had nothing but smooth sailing with all of my landlords and tenants (Is my nose bigger?) this year, I'll be happy to share with you some of my favorite anecdotes ... so far... from the summer of 2013!

Now, this doesn't seem very comfy does it?

Yes,the traditional "tenant goes to the wrong house" I heard happened again this year.  Although unlike previous tales where there was a key indeed hidden in the fake rock by the side door, nobody actually moved into the wrong location!   Somebody ate my porridge .. slept in my bed and ordered something on my pay per view account!!!

Ah, that's nothing compared to what one agent told me.   Let's call this agent "Ted."  Well being the good agent he is Ted went to meet his tenants with a bottle of champagne (darn, there is a lot of drinking in the Hamptons) as they moved into their new summer rental.  Well when hewent to check on the house, not only did Goldilocks sleep in the bed she liked it so much she took it with her!  Yes, that's right.    Ted had bedlam because of not one but two missing beds.  Apparently the landlord had decided to throw out some saggy mattresses but forgot to replace them!   OOOPS!   Luckily tragedy was avoided since there are like 20 Sleepy's from Southampton to Amagansett. 

Finally, this is an oldie but a goodie.   Nobody decided to clean up after the bears left the cottage! The house keeper didn't show??!?  shocking!   OOOOPS AGAIN!   Luckily in this case the agent was a good sport and ran home to their house to get a vacuum cleaner and some clean sheets.  The crisis was averted and everyone lived happily ever after ...or at least until they got stuck in traffic on 27 Monday afternoon (I heard 4 hours E. Hampton to the city!).

Well last year, I did a little video for Elliman about what to expenses to anticipate for summer rentals.   It's on You Tube but didn't get posted anywhere for people to find it.  So, I am once again posting (with a little Hamptons Chatter Intro) this video reminder of what tenants should expect when they rent in the Hamptons.  Feel free to use this video my fellow agents but next time you're buying the drinks!

Southampton permits are now on Sale... and a peek at some of those MILLION DOLLAR HAMPTONS RENTALS!

Get cha' permits!

REMINDER OF THE DAY!  Southampton Village beach permits are now on sale!!  The cost is free for residents, $350 for non residents and $250 for "local non-residents."   What you need;  a valid registration for your car and for locals a copy of your tax bill or lease with 2 utility bills.   This will allow you access to park at Coopers Beach, Cryder Lane, Dune Beach (village residents only), Fowler, Gin Lane, Halsey Neck, Roads G and D, Old Town, Wyandanch and Little Plaines Lane.   If you want complete information I suggest you go to the town website.    I'm also including a bonus link to the TOWN of Southampton permit information page!   Oh summer is in the air!

Art is apparently a very good business.   In the latest recorded transfers,

Artist and real estate investor Fischl

artist Eric Fischl has apparently purchased not one, not two, not three but five properties in North Haven.   The properties located in over the river and through the woods total a little over 3 million dollars.   While I have no idea what Fischl and his wife fellow artist April Gornick will be doing with the property located off Ferry Road, I'm dying to know.  If you have any clue fill me in!  Two two have been residents of Sag Harbor for years and both have matching studios here in the Hamptons.  

Well It's May 1st and that means Memorial Day is right around the corner.   In many parts of the country the calendar is marked by the return of various migratory animals.  Here in the Hamptons it's marked by the migration of the summer renters! In case you didn't know, the standard rental period for the Hamptons is Memorial Day to Labor Day.  It's also the time when all of the "masters of the universe" and "glitterati" of tv and film come to rest their weary heads.     Well if you've ever wondered how celebrities like Mariah Carey, Beyonce and others live when they're hanging with Martha, Howard and Puffy... wonder no longer.   I've dug deep and come up with some of my favorite MILLION DOLLAR* HAMPTON RENTALS!






*or rentals that can at least be priced in terms of millions, i.e. 1/4 of a million, 1/2 million, 8/10ths of a million!

Barking News!!! It's a doggone good time in the Hamptons!!

Today show reporter Jill Rappaport & friend

I have some "barking news" here!   Two of my favorite Hamptons organizations are getting together in what sounds like a doggone good time!  Bay Street Theatre is partnering with ARF (Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons for  the "Travels with Charley" Dog Walk on Saturday, May 4th at 8:30 am!   Today show host and dog advocate Jill Rappaport will be there as host.   The walk will start at Haven's Beach in Sag Harbor and finish at Bay Street Theatre.   There will be a "Bagels and Bones" reception immediately after the walk.  I'll be there because Bella and Russell love bagels! 

The walk is obviously a fundraiser that will  cover 5k or a little over 3 miles with a $25 entrance fee.  There will also be a GRAND PRIZE to the person who raises the most money!  Now, just know I will website and ARF's website.
be the one who raises the most.  YOU GOT A BONE TO PICK WITH THAT?!   If your interested in hanging with Bella, Russell, Jill Rappaport and me you can get more info from Bay Street theatre on their

Now it's a good time to paws and get the latest news on Hamptons real estate as Douglas Elliman released it's latest “Elliman Report: Hamptons Sales 1Q 2013.”   As you've been hearing the market has been brisk the past few months and the new market report confirms it.    2013 started at a rapid pace tail end of the year.   If you want more details you can download a copy of the report from Douglas Elliman.
with lots of activity and less inventory.   While prices slipped slightly, appraiser Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel suggests this may be due to many high end sales in the prior quarter happening because of tax-incentives to close by the

Finally, some have a bone to pick with the Hamptons and the fact it's just gotten too darn expensive out here!  Recently I had a chance to sit down with my friend author Stephen Gaines and LTV host and Southampton Press editor Dawn Watson about the state of the Hamptons economy.  Take a look and in the meantime, I'll stop hounding you with my horrible puns!

   

It's that time of year, Beach Permits are selling like hot cakes... again!!! Plus, bracing for the rude Hamptons!

Yep, the snow just melted but already we're fast approaching the end of the line for the most prized posession of Summer 2013!  I'm of course talking about East Hampton Village Beach permits.   While the price has risen to $375.00 for this coming season, that hasn't stopped the rush.    While town permits for East Hampton Town and Southampton Village and Town beach permits are unlitmited and they don't run out, EHV sells about 3000.    As of today, there are only about 300 or so permits left.   So, if you're curious how to get a permit and where you can use them, click here.   That means there are only about 10% left, sadly I had to use a calculator to figure that out.    So unless you want to bike to beach after that Fly Wheel spin class you better hurry!!!

So, while Summer is right around the corner that got me to thinking is it really that bad out here during the season?  I mean are the lines at the Golden Pear any longer ... are the waiters and waitresses less patient... is the parking lot at King Kullen any less aggressive?   Well in my 3rd and final chat with author Steven Gaines and film reviewer and stand up comic Bill McCuddy we addressed the very nature of Hamptons culture... RIGHT OR RUDE!?  Which also happens to be the name of Bill's new web page and facebook fan page.   Check it out and let me know what you think.

 

 

A "Ruffarendum" in the Hamptons, plus some rental advice for the landlord!

Well some interesting things have developed with me in the past few weeks.    I have decided after almost a decade with Douglas Elliman real estate in a management position to become a full time agent with the company.  So what does that mean to you?   It means I'm going to have more time to blog and help buyers and sellers with their needs in the Hamptons.  So, if you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell out east , make sure to let me know!

Anyway, rentals seem to be on fire lately.  I personally am up by about 30% more year to date on the number of rentals I've done.   But its funny so many people in the Hamptons will put their houses on the market for rent but not understand how it's done.  So, I'm doing a little beginners guide here for the potential landlord and some terms you should know!  

The open listing - Many rentals in the Hamptons are what they call open listings, meaning each company has their own data for summer rentals and that information is not shared electronically, like an exclusive sale.   That's not to say that agents don't talk and share information but it's not coming from one central source.    This is why you may see the same home listed for different prices and time periods on varying web sites.    You can indeed make it an exclusive and make sure access is limited but often this may discourage some agents from showing your house over another where they will make the lion's share of the commission.    My suggestion is give your rental listing to an agent you trust and ask them to send out a "courtesy" listing to some select agents at other companies.     This way you're competitive and the agents are all getting the same information.

Permits baby! -  As with anything in life you have obligations and responsibilities when you become a landlord.   Claiming ignorance if you should be sued is not a defense and they have a tendency to go all "Judge Judy" when you go and try to use this as a defense.    Make sure you know the rules before you decide to sign that lease.   Make sure you google the regulations for what is acceptable and when renting in Southampton make sure you have a permit.  I've heard stories of tenants suing their landlords for silly reasons at the end of the season and getting their entire rent refunded because the landlord didn't have a permit.  Yes, people rent without permits but is it worth the risk?  That is your call.

Credit Call - Remember those stories about the guy who was renting Hamptons houses for High School proms only to trash them and leave the landlords holding the bills.  You don't?!  Then you want to make sure your prospective tenant isn't hat guy has the funds to pay the rent and pay any potential damages.  It's really no big deal and doesn't take much time at all.   Here is one (tenant screening report)  I just googled as I was writing this blog!   It's not an endorsement but just an illustration of how easy this is to obtain.

Call the Pros!!! - When it comes to insurance, the tax liability and the legal rights within your lease, call the prospective professionals.   The lawyer, the tax professional and an insurance broker are your best friends when it comes to keeping your self protected.  While many agents will give you advice, do yourself a favor, call a pro!!!

Meanwhile, the fur is flying in the Hamptons over all things... poop!   In case you missed it in the NEW YORK POST last week (even my sister in Florida saw it), there is new push to ban dogs from the beach!   So who has a bone with Russell and Bella???   Well recently I had a few friends stop by and we discussed the issue at hand.

   

HELPFUL HINTS TO GET YOUR HOUSE RENTED AND AN ENCLAVE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT!

The summer rental season is officially in high gear EARLY this year.   Normally, it's pretty sluggish around here till Presidents Day weekend but in 2013 we got a very early start, like JANUARY 1st!!    I'm not sure what it is this year that has everyone so gung-ho but it's not just me, all of my friends in the business are saying this is the busiest January they've seen in a long time!   I'm not sure if it's the  economy, the growing popularity of the Hamptons or even the fact so many at the Jersey Shore have been affected by damage from Hurricane Sandy and the Tsunami Snookie!?   It's any ones guest really.  Get it Guest!?   Lame.  Sorry.

So if you're a landlord thinking of renting, here are a couple of hints to help you get that lease signed a little quicker (In no particular order).  And yes, you may think these points are common sense but I've seen a few properties where these simple points could have been really helpful!!!

1) If your house has ash trays of cigarette butts all over the place, empty them and buy a vacuum cleaner.    It's amazing but people don't find the smell of stale tobacco as enticing as they once did.   Unless you're renting to a member of the Rat Pack, most people in fact will find this a turn off.    

2) And speaking of Rat Packs.  If you have a rodent problem, hide the poison or at least resolve the problem BEFORE you want to rent your property.     I know everyone loves a cute pet and a few people even liked the movie "Willard" but honestly,  most rats or even mice give people the heebie jeebies!

3) When a broker comes to your house, please don't tell their potential renters about how horrible the Hamptons are in the summer.   Also,  its not a good idea to elaborate how you hate your neighbors because their kids are in the backyard pool screaming all hours of the day the entire season.     We as real estate agents work for you the landlord but when you talk about all the negatives of your own house, it's not a good thing for us to contradict you.


That being said, for those who don't want to rent a house and just want a quiet weekend out east,  there is a new option.  The 380 Inn, formerly the Enclave Inn which is located on Montauk highway in Wainscott.   As of now, there is no website so local folk will be left guessing changes have been made to this Hamptons staple.

I spoke with the receptionist on the phone and she let me in on a little secret.  The owners of the 380 Inn had actually been managing the Enclave Inn for the past five years and they finally just decided to buy. I know people who have stayed there in the past and enjoyed it, so I'm hoping we'll have more of the same.

According to the old Enclave Inn's website the Hamptons are "considered by many, the Malibu of the East."    Ok, Malibu of the east... minus the tans and the waves but I'm I'll go with it.   There are plenty who enjoy the outdoor lifestyle out here, similar to Malibu.    I just wonder if the bicyclist are as vulnerable on the west coast as they are on 27!!?