Your Real Estate Agent Isn’t as Important as You Thought! Plus, a FRESH success in Bridgehampton.

 

My friend, agent and former co-manager Tom MacNiven likes to quote George McGovern who  proclaimed: “the longer the title the less important the job. ”   Somehow, I always knew they were both right.
Well, now  when it comes to the real estate sharks swimming the waters of the Hamptons, (and the entire state) the State of New York agrees! At the end of this month licensed New York State agents
will no longer be able to display those cheesy fabricated self-anointed monikers that do nothing but take up space on business cards and email signatures.   So, sadly I have now abdicated my crown and will no longer be known as Patrick Mclaughlin, Senior Czar of Hamptons House Hunting and Associate Broker.  Soon, there will be no more Semi-Senior Co-Directors of Whichamacallit or Executive Vice Presidents of the Supply Closets.    I’m happy with this, as long as nobody can one up me!!
Now, there are only two designations are acceptable:  LSA: Licensed Sales Associate and LBA: Licensed Broker Associate.   The latter requires a little more experience and sales transactions but it is NOT an MBA or even a certificate from University of Pheonix.   If you ain’t one, you gotta be the other.   I’ve also just been informed that at the end of this month I must “surrender” my old, titled business cards.    So, if I can’t have a title can I have a raise?

Well the big review is in and Fresh in Bridgehampton must be breathing a big sigh of relief or at least doing a small dance of celebration.  Scoring a “VERY GOOD” review, Fresh has managed what very

www.freshhamptons.com

few have managed to do;  create a restaurant with good food and good service that won’t break the bank.   I think it’s everything the former home of “Southfork Kitchen,” would have loved to accomplish.   It’s just a shame that the old owner was too busy blogging instead of watching the restaurant.  Blogging is such a waste!!

In fact, The New York Times said, “Fresh is an exciting restaurant with innovative portion options and creative, good-for-you food that is also delicious.”   So good for them and when they’re done if they could give some cooking lessons to the folks at a few restaurants out here, the world would be a better place!

More Advice for Renovating on a Budget… from Libby Langdon!

Once again a special thanks to the amazingly talented Libby Langdon.    Check out the video and make sure to pick up her book LIBBY LANGDON’S SMALL SPACE SOLUTIONS from Amazon.   It really has some great ideas.  Pick it up you won’t regret it!!

UPDATE:  I keep hearing it’s hard to post messages or comments on the blog.  Please e mail me at pjmhamptons@gmail.com with your comments, questions or otherwise and I’ll make sure it gets posted!   Thanks P.

Art Hampton.. the poor man’s edition… Plus Helpful Hints for Sellers!!!

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Kerplunk!! Fun AND exciting!

So while traffic continues to be the worst it’s ever been (yeah, I know I say it every year but sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on 114!?).   I’ve had plenty of time while sitting in my car to observe my surroundings.   One of the things I’ve noticed lately is how much people in the Hamptons love art.  I mean this is the land of Pollack and deKooning right?  It only makes sense.  But considering my idea of art is a cat doing chin ups saying “hang in there baby,” I sometimes have a hard time deciphering what the heck some of this stuff is…   take for example the following two pieces.    I’m sure they were expensive but what are they?   I have my own interpretation!     This first one, I call Kerplunk…. named after one of my favorite childhood games!

YIKES!  It’s going to attack!

Then low and behold… my favorite new addition to the Hamptons gallery!  The three Headed Dragon! Are there any more great works I’m missing, feel free to e mail and let me know!   This is located in front of Guild Hall in East Hampton.   I apologize to any of the artists responsible for these works but I only took Art History 101….. and I got a “C.”   Gosh, I don’t know why but I hear Helen Reddy in my head every time I see this thing!    In fact, I’m going to rent “Pete’s Dragon” tonight!

It’s hard to believe but it’s been 12 years since I sold my first property as a professional real estate agent.   But as much as things change, they’ve also remained the same.      One of the constants is a well maintained and modern kitchen helps a house sell!    Every now and then I’ll go to an open house and see a kitchen that hasn’t been touched since ’73 and the agents remarks,  “it has great potential.”    I always want to retort “if you’re an arsonist!”   But alas, being the good agent I am I bite my tongue.

But if you’re thinking of selling your house and don’t want to spend a fortune to renovate, what are you to do!?  Well lucky for you, my friend designer Libby Langdon has some really great ideas.    So here’s some free advice on updating your kitchen without spending a bundle.

Hub Bub over Shrubs… and Forget the Scientologists There’s a New Cult in Town!

The scene of the crime!!!

Well, we’re all feeling it… tensions are at a boiling point in the Hamptons.    Yes, it costs some folks a lot of money to live here and they just want have some fun.     But apparently some cheap kill joy is ruining the fun for one homeowner in the Hamptons!   What are they doing?!  Well I think the photo here says it all.   Landscaping here isn’t cheap and this proves it.   Personally if I were the home owner, I would just plant some poison ivy around all of my valuable plantings.  Now, if anyone wants to write the police blotter for this crime, I’m taking suggestions!

Cult or fitness movement!?

Speaking of tensions the cult that is known as Scientology  er, I mean Soul Cycle is continuing its plans to dominate the universe.  Their latest conquest is now in the Water Mill shopping center.  Yes, the home of Citarella, Water Mill Cupcakes, Avanti Market, Blockbuster Video and Muse Restaurant will now be the newest location for Soul Cycle.     Apparently someone read my blog and has decided to open an outlet with ample parking.    I do have one bit of advice for anyone opening a business in that shopping center;  burn some sage and higher a witch doctor, that place is cursed!   By the way, I really do miss Water Mill Cupcakes!