Summer On The Mind

Behind the scenes of quiet streets and gray days of winter, there’s a shuffle of people working tirelessly to get the Hamptons summer season open. Weekend homes are being freshened up and real estate agents are showing homes day after day. Now is the time to start thinking of preparing homes for the influx of owners and their families and friends making their way out east come Memorial Day. Those in the know share what it takes to get your home ready for the summer season. 

A pool. It’s an absolute must in the current market, ensuring you can get the kids and grandkids to come visit for long weekends. Multiple amenities are what the modern buyer is looking for in a summer home and having this already in place is a strong trend in the real estate market. 

“The big switch has been that very few people want to take on a project,” shares Enzo Morabito, licensed associate real estate broker with Douglas Elliman. “The homes have to be turnkey and have a lot of the amenities they want. Given the choice between trying to fix something up or turnkey is not even in the same league. It’s more convenient and situated.”

Parents, grandparents, and Generation X buyers are the three key demographics Morabito identifies as Hamptons buyers. They’re looking for these prime amenities that also include an updated kitchen and bathrooms, great room with an easy flow, and finished basement. Epitomizing these wants and needs is his listing for 146 Coopers Farm Road in Southampton, a completely renovated six-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom home on the market for $3.795 million.

Hamptons homes for sale are often desired as they serve as an escape from the confines of Manhattan, leading many to use their investment on weekends throughout the year. For those that predominantly use summer homes just for those few days, owners don’t want to work on projects. Turnkey does not have to mean new construction, rather renovated with the updated amenities buyers are looking for, according to Corcoran licensed associate real estate broker Mary Slattery. 

Slattery suggests buyers looking to be in place for the summer need to be out looking right now. Her listing at 79 Pulaski Street in Southampton is newer to the market but one she knows well. “I sold the current owners that house before it was renovated,” she shares of the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home listed for $2.995 million. “They used it for 10 years and are selling to move on. I have a history of that house and have helped them rent it several times. It’s a great home.” 

To take the pressure off getting your home ready for summer, owners enlist services from companies like Seacoast Property Management. The business offers clients peace of mind by doing things like setting up outdoor furniture, opening the pool and spa, cleaning the gutters, scheduling the pest control company to spray for ticks, and more. Their typical lead time is just two weeks. 

Replacing air conditioning and water filters and power washing the exterior of the home are suggestions co-founder and head of marketing Chris Pike recommends. “The last aspect of your home that should be prepped before the summer is your grill,” he shares. “The grill often goes unnoticed until you go to have your first summer barbecue and realize that it is a mess. Over the winter, the grill can collect dust, dirt, grime, leaves, and even bugs or mice. Also, if the grates of your grill begin to rust, throw them out. Order new grates and ensure that all your summer food is cooked safely.”

Noting the desire to be within walking distance of beaches in the summer, Sotheby’s International Realty associate broker and senior global real estate advisor Harald Grant and licensed salesperson Bruce Grant say in reality, every property is no more than a 15-minute drive to the ocean or bayfront along the South Fork. Agreeing updated amenities are key, they cite 1377 Meadow Lane, a five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom available for $275,000 in the high season, as what people are looking for. With rental properties in the Hamptons like this, you don’t have to own just yet, but when you do, you’re likely to use the home 50 out of 52 weekends. 

“Hamptons summer homes maintain buyers’ interest year after year,” the Grants say. “Today’s mostly summer home buyer typically does want something ‘toothbrush-ready.’ Bring your flip flops and toothbrushes, and you’re all set. Homes and properties don’t have to be brand-new, but should ‘feel’ new, and include up-to-date everything, from kitchens and appliances to in-home electronics for televisions, sound systems, smart-home systems, bathroom fixtures, the works.”

There is the understanding that come Memorial Day that homes, both rented and owned, are meant to be enjoyed without the fuss of projects or maintenance. The escape out east from Manhattan’s concrete, trading in business suits and meetings for swimwear and bare feet on the beach. Move-in ready proves to be what the modern buyer is looking for in Hamptons real estate, while various locally-based services help keep properties in the best shape inside and out. All you have to do now is wait for temperatures to rise.

Seacoast Property Management
Enjoy your summer in the Hamptons without ever having to lift a finger.
www.seacoastmgmt.com | 631.268.5793

Lawn Doctor
Trusted professional lawn care services in the Hamptons and surrounding communities.www.lawndoctor.com | 631.537.7122

Couture Outdoor
International outdoor furniture collections your neighbors are sure to envy in Southampton.www.coutureoutdoor.com | 631.287.7848

Pooltastic Pool Works Inc.
Your source for concierge pool service from open to close.
www.pooltastic.com | 631.728.3983

Tote Taxi
No more lugging your luggage from NYC to the Hamptons, Tote Taxi does it for you.
www.totetaxi.com | 631.595.5100