WHEN DO YOU SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"?

My home is on the market here in Southampton Village and I live here. It is located in a very "hot" area right now so everyday I get calls to show it and some of them are really off-the-wall calls; I liken some of them to a pie in the face, catching me by surprise, especially since these agents know I am a fellow agent!

HERE ARE JUST A FEW:

• My buyer loves the street you live on--he is dying to see a house on your street--can I show your house tomorrow? (The exact words of an agent!)
• He doesn't really care about the zoning....He really wants to just take a look.
• What do you mean "Did you qualify him"?
• If my buyer likes your house, can he rent it with an option to buy? (This is after I told the agent my house is rented for summer 2012.)
• My buyer is looking for a real deal---will you give him a better price than your asking price?

These were actual questions that I fielded this last week from a couple of agents who wanted to show my house. Some of these questions REALLY killed me! One of these agents was unaware (for some reason, since I make sure that information is on the listing!) that I am the owner/broker for the property. He absolutely floored me when he asked for the listing as an exclusive!!!

Last night I had one of those calls where the agent who is not from the area, called me very late asking if she could show the house at 10:00 this morning...I told her that the house is rented for the summer and will not be able to close until after Labor Day and asked if her buyer knows that....she brushed that off and said "No, but he really wants to see your house." I told her that since it is rented and he can't buy it until after Labor Day, there was no rush to get in to see it...besides, which, I am struggling to get around with a very badly injured knee and I am scheduled for surgery next wednesday--and my dog is not well--so if she could just hold him off for a week that would be better for me.

The agent was not happy to hear that and said: "Well, I have never had anyone tell me not to show their house if they really want to sell!"...where-upon I informed her that in my many years of experience, when a buyer is pushing like that to get in to see a house--that the person is not a real buyer and may even have another agenda--and I am not in any condition to prepare my house for a showing, (I like my house to be immaculate and lighted) take my dog out for her to show it and then find out the guy was not a real buyer.

She was not happy but took that as a "no" and hung up.....then called me back in 1/2 an hour insisting that the guy was real, that it does not matter that it is rented because he would be re-doing it or tearing it down....I said: "Wait a minute--I have written in the notes that this house is over 75 years old and has to go through the ARB (Architectural review Board) to get approval for tear down--and they may say no--Did you tell him that?" Her response? "Oh that's ok, he will just re-do it then! He just wants to be in that neighborhood"...defeated I said ok to the 10:00 appointment this morning and went to bed....

I was awakened several times during the night with my dog in terrible shape, needing to get to the hosptial first thing....so I cleaned up the house (took me an hour--very hard on my poor knee), dressed and took him to the hospital at 9:30, leaving the front door unlocked for the agent and her "buyer"...

As I stood in the waiting room at the animal hospital at 10:00, my little dog wrapped in a wee-wee pad and my knee killing me (I was afraid to sit down, in case I could not get up!) my cell phone rang in my pocket---I struggled to get it and saw it was the agent calling me---"Hi Paula!---just wanted to let you know that the buyer has not even left the city yet because of the snow so I think we need to cancel...." and I hung up!

WHEN DO YOU SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?

WHAT'S WITH THE SUPER-CRITICAL ATTITUDE??...Why Is There Such A Need To Make others Wrong??

I love it here on ActiveRain...I love the posts because they are so informational---I love the posts because they are so eye-opening and Leading Edge in terms of their perspective. I have met more unusual, informed, intellectual and tech-savvy people here than anywhere else on the web. This is where it is at when it comes to real estate; and I am sure everyone would agree that the time spent here on ActiveRain is time well spent and even tremendously valuable to our businesses.

There is one thing that I am having great difficulty with and that is the NEED for some to be super-critical! This tendency for super-critical analysis has become so, well frankly, blatant that I just have to speak up.

I know that there have been times when I will write a post where-in I criticize a point of view, a bad habit or even a way of doing business. And some may say I am even super-critical myself! However, when it becomes the sole purpose of a post to criticize without a full idea of what the criticism is affecting in terms of a practice that is in line with the law in certain markets---well, it just shows an ignorance of the real factors.

In fact, in the last super-critical post I read, there is a "slamming" of the way certain states set up their agency requirements and a claim of "Greed" when it comes to the way agents from these states are working with buyers and sellers, when in fact they are working well with in their state agency laws and well within the way the buyers and sellers want to be serviced.

There is a "slamming" and name calling in this post and it is done without regard or even the mention that there are many states that operate in a way that is not uniform throughout the United States; WHERE IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL TO WORK WITH THE BUYER AND SELLER AS LONG AS YOU HAVE DISCLOSED IT AND GIVEN THE BUYER AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE A BUYERS BROKER!

I think that is just fine, don't you?---what do we want? A state by state function of the needs of each state or do we want a Federal mandate as to how we should all operate in our respective marketplaces??? (Sounds like socialism to me!)

IF A BUYER WANTS TO WORK WITH A LISTING AGENT FOR WHATEVER REASON---WHO CAN QUESTION THEIR MOTIVES???

In my opinion, Buyer Brokerage has become a "politically correct" encumbrance that makes the super-critical agent want to identify, call out and in general, make life miserable for the other agent who gets a call from a buyer on a listing they are representing. "The selfish, greedy agent should not take this buyer on (even with full disclosure and a rejected offer of a buyer broker) because all they want is both sides of the deal!!!"...and to the buyer who CHOOSES to work with the listing agent instead of being represented by a buyers brokerage, this same "Super-Critical" agent will say: "They think they are going to get a cut of the commission--or they only want to cut a better deal with that under-handed listing agent!"...Makes me question the motives of an agent who constantly looks at the other agent who is operating within the law while said agent has another set of laws that they must work within. If there is a real issue--call the state where the "Crime" is being committed!

"HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELF AN EXPERT!!!"

Then there is the other type of super-critical blogger who says: "Don't you dare call yourself an expert!!!" ....Why? because others may feel that they are NOT an expert IF said agent has taken the moniker?? Or, maybe because by being so sure of yourself, you are up to NO GOOD???

Does the agent who says this about themselves have a secret agenda that is to out-do all others??? Who cares??? Don't we all do that anyway??? Last time I checked leaders are usually "experts" by default--otherwise they would not be leaders!!

I personally could care less if an agent is out there doing the things that I mention above! There is nothing I can do even if they are doing it LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY!...Wait a minute--last time I looked there were even worse things going on in this business!!! I know of a pedophile who ran an office here--made international news because he was from Germany and ran an office with a system for international peophilia!

So, I am going to get on with my work, do it as I see fit within the law, and I may even call myself an expert in an area or on an issue if I feel so inclined---and if I get criticized for doing so, so be it!

LET'S NOT TRY TO CONTROL OTHERS THROUGH CRITICISM--IT'S REALLY NOT VERY EFFECTIVE, NOW IS IT?

THE SUPER-CRITIC REALLY BUGS ME, CAN YOU TELL??? :)

THE HAMPTONS IS SET FOR A BANNER YEAR!....Already, Sales Are On The Increase!!

In my last market report and Hamptons News Letter, I talk about the upward trend in real estate sales, specifically at the high end of the market. When I last checked, the number of signed contracts appeared to be at a record high and now, as closings are happening, we can see the results of a very busy year.

SLOWEST TIME OF YEAR TURNS OUT TO BE THE BUSIEST!

The Holiday period, from Thanksgiving through the New Year, is usually the slowest time of the year for real estate sales. Most families are traveling, going to weddings, celebrating the Holidays or just relaxing at the end of the year.

In 2011, however, there were a large number of buyers out there looking to take advantage of low interest rates, and even lower prices--plus the known positive factor of owning a "Tangible Asset".

The "East End" of Long island includes the Hamtpons and the North Fork. The source for the following numbers is from Suffolk Profiles, a county reporting agency:

FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY, 2012 NUMBER OF SALES: 38 CLOSINGS

SECOND WEEK OF JANUARY, 2012 NUMBER OF SALES: 100 CLOSINGS

THE HIGH END OF THE MARKET IS THE WINNER SO FAR IN 2012

In the case of Hamptons sales, the High end of the market is the most active with strong sales coming in on $5million and up properties for 2012. I was reviewing the listings that I had forwarded to a buyer in Italy. He was interested in seeing houses from $6mil. to $25mil. to get an idea of what was available at those price points.

I had sent these listings to him at the end of November. Now, as I review what I had sent to him and in my effort to bring him up to speed on the Hamptons, I found the following:

LEE AVENUE, EAST HAMPTON, NEW YORK--IN CONTRACT (ASK 24,500,000)

MARINA DRIVE, EAST HAMPTON--SOLD FOR $6MILLION (ASK $6.495MIL)

CRESCENT AVENUE, SOUTHAMPTON (WATER MILL)--IN CONTRACT (ASK $19,950,000)

FLYING POINT ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON (WATER MILL) --IN CONTRACT ($5,975,000)

Now, these were from the number of listings that I sent to him; there were many more that I have not yet identified and many are at the high end of the spectrum. I have already heard from the man in Italy; he is now ready to buy!!!

We are already well on our way to a banner year for 2012 in real estate--lets hope it continues. I believe we have recovered form the malaise of the last 4 years and that we will see positive results going forward.

BELOW IS THE MARKET REPORT/NEWSLETTER FOR JANUARY 14, 2012

HAMPTONS MARKET REPORT(The 2012 market is showing a leap forward in sales….)	January 15 2012
Real estate sales are showing a steady increase for the new year and most authorities speak positively about the real estate market in general for 2012.	2012 will be a banner year for real estate, according to projections from the National Association of Realtors.

HAMPTON’S MARKET REPORT

January 14, 2012

HIGH END OF THE MARKET TRENDING UP

· The Hampton’s real estate market has seen a leap forward in sales in the past 2 weeks.

· The high end of the market is taking the majority of dollars spent and there is an upward trend going forward, according to the number of showings and buyers who have requested information on high end properties.

· January 1, 2012 through January 6^, 2012: 38 closings

· January 7, 2012 through January 13, 2012: 100 closings.

· All of these closings were generated from 2011 business.

· The Holiday season (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas) of 2011 was one of the busiest periods in a long time; The Holiday time period is normally the slowest time of year for real estate sales.

· This follows a jump in sales for total year, 2011 (See Elliman report attached. Q4 is not yet available)

· We are seeing a collection of first time offerings of premier ocean front listings come on the market in just the last month.

· All five of the listings that are shown on the following pages (sold and in-contracts) were introduced to the market place as first time offerings.

· Projections for 2012 are all very optimistic with some prognosticators seeing a banner year for real estate sales.

· INVESTORS LOOK FOR TANGIBLE ASSET INVESTMENTS

· All properties below have closed or will close in the next few weeks. In addition to the shown properties there are ocean front listings that are getting the attention of investors who want to own a part of the Hamptons and need a portion of their portfolio to represent a tangible asset like real estate.

· This is a trend that has become stronger as the market improves and as other forms of investment become more risky.

· As the market recovers, the showings of ocean front properties have increased and more homeowners are considering putting their homes on the market.

· Click here to see the full ELLIMAN report for 3^rd Quarter of 2011

Paula I Hathaway, LBA, SVP

Prudential Douglas Elliman, Southampton, New York

ARE YOU A SKEPTIC???...Do You Question The Motives Of Almost Everyone You Come Across?

I AM, AND I DO!!!......and I am proud of it!

Recently, I was challenged by a business acquaintance with the idea that if I was going to question someone about their intentions when it came to volunteering to do an open house for me, then I didn't deserve to get their help!

"We are independent contractors! Just let him do the open house!"....was the statement from this business aquaintance.

I was simply asking the volunteer what he wanted to gain from doing an open house for me on a big listing--hoping to hear something like: "Hey-I want to get a bunch of potential buyers--a list of names that I can farm and cajole into buying this listing." That's what I was hoping for and instead I got a cold shrug of the shoulders--" I guess I might as well do an open house for a big listing than a little one".....

I was put off by that response--it was uninspired and lacked the prospecting attitude that I expected. So, I told him I would do the open house and he could help. I needed to feel that the house would be properly shown and represented and with an attitude like the one he had, I was doubtful I would get good results!

That is just one little example of what my skepticism does for me--It keeps me on my toes! It makes me expect more and therefore demand more from those whom I work with--both co-workers and clients!

I want to keep my reasoned consideration about things; I want to have an attitude of doubt about someone until I am certain they are going to perform at a very high level with regard to buying a house, selling their home or even handling one of my listings.

IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG WITH QUESTIONS???...I think not! I AM a skeptic and I am proud of it! In my opinion, there are not enough of us out there!

Some of the other things I am very skeptical about:

• I am doubtful that a good result can be achieved when NOT getting a high degree of commitment from those with whom I put my trust.
• I am very concerned when I have a homeowner who does not want to allow me to put a sign on his property, especially when it is my exclusive! How serious are they???
• It concerns me when I have a buyer, actively looking for a home, who does not get pre-approved before we begin to look for a house....may not even be intentional--just careless and uninformed!
• I get really doubtful when a homeowner says: "I will list the house with you for 3 months and THEN we can extend the agreement"..leaving me with no time for serious marketing before the listing ends!
• As far as the renewal thing--I have learned the hard way that the intention of a homeowner who promises to re-list in this market after 6 months of my heavy marketing campaigns is very dubious indeed!....Get the 8 month or 1 year agreement UP FRONT if you are investing lots of time and money in marketing!

I am finding myself more and more skeptical in this very difficult profession! ...As a result, I have taken the position that unless my requirements of buyers, sellers and co-workers are not met, I will not put any time into the process.

I pick my "Time and Money Spent" (TMS) on very carefully scrutinized clients and co-workers. I don't need to "settle" when it comes to my high standards and expectations...If they can't be met--I say "Hit the road"!

AS far as those who call me a "SKEPTIC"...I say: "YOU BET I AM, AND I AM VERY PROUD OF IT!"

HOW ABOUT YOU???...Are You A Skeptic? Please share some of your experiences where being "SKEPTICAL" has paid off.

This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here

WHAT'S HOT RIGHT NOW??? SUMMER 2012 RENTALS IN THE SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE, NEW YORK!!!

In November 2011, I wrote a post that covered: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RENTAL PROPERTIES IN THE HAMPTONS...It was viewed 2144 times, so I am publishing it again with updates for those who missed it the first time and want to know how to prepare their properties for renting them out. It can also serve to show what the rentals here are like for those who may want to rent something for the coming season.

FOCUS: SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE...

After one of the most peculiar summer rental seasons ever for Southampton Village ,New York in 2011, this is now the place to look for 2012 summer rentals...at least it appears that way! Tenants are already looking for their summer homes for next summer and Southampton Village is the place to look! Full season rentals are now the way to go--last year the theme was "short season". The problem with that is the moment you settle in, you have to leave! ...and that is why we are now

seeing potential tenants taking the full summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) instead of the short term rentals of the last 3 years.

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM!

If you are looking to rent a modern, sleek new home, look no further than right here in Southampton Village! Here, the beach, shops and world class restaurants are all within minutes, and you never have to climb into your car!

The beauty of Southampton Village is found in the history not just the perfect landscapes and the architectural dreams in the houses here. Rentals in this very historical Village are at record prices and so many are rented already, there are efforts to list more from some of the builders who may have new houses ready to be lived and/or leased for the summer.

One of the reasons that this location is the favorite among New Yorkers is the proximity to the city....even though it feels like a world away, those busy Wall Streeters can make it back to their jobs on Sunday evening in less than 2 hours and that is the key to getting a rental in Southampton Village, New York!

IN THE PAST 3 YEARS, MANY TENANTS CAME TO THE HAMPTONS FOR 2 WEEKS OR A MONTH.......the reason being, the recession took disposable income away from the bonus's that were given out to Wall Street rentors.

Typically, a summer rental is done by a family who has a home in New York City. and the summer is the only time they are able to experience a taste of country life---and they go for it in a big way! Usually The wealthy may prefer spending top dollar for a rental for the summer season and not have the obligation of owning another home. They make the weekly trip to their summer rental and enjoy as much time as they can for the 3 months of summer---then leave in September with nothing left to do but take their clothes back to the city.

Rental prices on a 3 month summer rental range from $15,000 to $750,000! A small village bungalow without a pool can be found for around $10,000 to $20,000 for the summer; a 7 bedroom mansion with tennis and a pool on the ocean can be found for $450,000 to $750,000.

Meanwhile, the bulk of the summer rentals that are leased here are between $20,000 and $60,000 for the Memorial Day to Labor Day time period. These homes are owned by people who do not need the use of their homes for a time--Some actually buy homes, decorate them and use them for rental purposes only as they build equiity and sell when they want to retire or move on!

MOST DESIREABLE AMENITIES:

• LIGHT AND BRIGHT INTERIORS
• CLEAN, UNCLUTTERED HOUSES
• BIG, OPEN EAT-IN KITCHEN AND GREAT ROOM
• HEATED POOL
• TENNIS COURT
• SPA-LIKE BATHROOMS
• CLOSE PROXIMITY TO RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS
• OCEAN ACCESS

Many tenants bring their friends with them; extended family members are also welcome guests. The home with the most bedrooms gets top dollar while the most popular rental homes have 3-4 bedrooms.

The bigger the kitchen, the faster a home will rent...this is because, like a pool, the kitchen is a favorite place to gather and is where most people find themselves during the summer at mealtime. Many kitchens open into a great room which has become the next most popular room in the house.

A great room is now the most recent and most requested of all the details a rental home can offer. This is a space that is designed around family gatherings, movie viewing, game playing and casual dining. Meals that need a lot of space such as a lobster dinner with all the necessary accouterments, have become the order of the day and an open kitchen with an enormous table becomes the most prized detail in a summer rental. Because many summer residents love to entertain, the kitchen, great room and dining area become focal points of a summer rental.

Pools and the surrounding patio or deck is the most important outdoor amenity....that includes enough space around it for croquet, Badminton or just for play. The 20'X40' pool is the most popular size and a spa as a part of the pool space is a great addition.

Gunite pools are preferrable to vinyl but now there are more requests for vinyl versus gunite from families with small children because it is softer on the feet. Gunite has a sandpaper feel to in when you are in the pool for any length of time.

The most enjoyment a tenant will have, will come from the important pool, big yard and a tennis court if available. Tennis courts require over 7,000 square feet of lawn to fit on a property so it is rare to find a court in the Village here in the Hamptons. The estate section is where most tennis courts are located; this is another reason for the higher rental prices. A tennis court will add an additional $50k to $100k in rental income so many homeowners add one if they have the acreage.

Proximity to the Atlantic Ocean Drives the desire for a rental in Southampton Village; Coopers Beach (voted the #1 beach in America!) Little Plains Beach, Old Town Beach, Flying Point Ocean beach and Mecox Bay access for wind surfing and other water sports.

Just recently, as I walked the beach at Little Plains I had several people stop me to ask me where the hotels are. They are looking for ocean beach hotels, much like you would find in Miami! These particular people were all from Europe, on vacation somewhere else on long Island and made a day trip to the Hamptons, thinking they could spend the night at a hotel on the ocean beach---there are none here West of the Shinnecock Canal. There are none East of the Canal until you get to Gurney's Inn which is between East Hampton and the very end of Long Island at Montauk. There are very few hotels/motels here anyway so if that is what you are looking for, you will have to look in Hampton Bays, Westhampton or even further West.

If you have the time and the money, plus a desire to be here in the most popular summer resort in America, then it is time to consider the historical Southampton Villlage as your destination!

You will never forget it!!!