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| If nobody wants them can we put them on Petfinder.com? |
In case you were wondering, that giant retching sound you’ve been hearing lately isn’t from a new wave of salmonella poisoning on the East End it’s the reaction to reports there are new residents coming to town. Yes, the buzz on social media this week is all about the Kardashians!! Which is also spawning something I’m calling “Kardashian Schadenfreude.” Sorry Kortney, Kim and Klanapin the buzz for your impending arrival is not so good. East Hampton resident’s are cheering they’re “going to Southampton” and Southampton residents are saying “uh-uh, they’re going to East.” Either way, it could be a Katastrophe for Kourtney and Kompany. So while only time will tell where they’re actually going, I would like to offer the ladies some advice: learn to spell your names Korrectly and see if Snooki has a share available in her house… you’ll be much happier
So, we are coming down to the wire for the summer rental season. In spite of the snow this week, Memorial Day is still coming. So in addition to my warnings for all potential renters about the danger of becoming Earhardt’s (HC 6/6/11)…. and making sure to use a camera or I Phone to record the condition of their house… I have a few more items they may want to double check before signing on the dotted line and sending that wire transfer! So, why revisit this topic? Because everyone is a critic. So after reading a few, “You forgot to mention, this, this and this.” So being the professional whiner listen to-er I am, I decided to mention a few more. Here are some of the top summer rental disasters than can easily be avoided! And if the peanut gallery isn’t happy, go write your own blog! (insert a mental happy face emoticon here!)
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| This is not a pool heater! |
1) Hot, Hot, Hot! – In case you weren’t aware, many times the agents who rent your home are not the agents who put the house into the listing system. Mistakes happen and unfortunately when an agent rents a home saying there is central air when there isn’t (this one happens more often than you think) it get’s uglier than a “Mama’s Family” reunion movie! For renters, look around for the vents for central air, check the thermostats and do a quick scan for window units. If you’re a landlord, make sure you go online to the agency that’s renting your home and check the information they have on their website. While I can’t say how it works at other companies, at Elliman.com, it’s as easy as writing your address on the search bar. It’s also not a bad idea to make sure the heat is functioning for those early and late summer nights. Come to think of it.. you may have rented house with a heated pool but it’s not such a bad idea to make sure there is an actual heater. Sorry but coffee warmers do not constitute a pool heater.
2) Tour Groups – Now I’ve been on every side of this equation and it really isn’t much fun for anyone involved. The house is rented and a listing agent has to show it! Many of these tenants have paid top dollar to spend their summer out here sitting on Route 27…errrrr.. I mean enjoying the beach and fresh air of the Hamptons. Imagine how they feel having truck loads of people coming in and out of their homes while trying to recover from the night before at Pink Elephant! In fact, I showed a listing last year where my customers were contemplating a purchase only to be told by tenants, “the house stinks!” It’s only too bad the listing agent wasn’t there to run interference. So get an agreement before hand, it could prevent everyone from being perceived as nasty tenants, mean real estate agents, nosey buyers or crazy landlords. Speaking of landlords, you may also want to make an agreement about when they can stop by as well to get that jacket out of the storage locker or their kids bike pump. It’s good to keep everyone happy… happy… happy…. like that Pharrell song!
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| Sweaty summer sittin’ |
3) Sittin’ and Grillin’ – Once again, it’s a good idea to have your agent get a list of what lawn furniture is included in the seasonal rental and if an outdoor grill is part of the deal. Some leases include all of this others don’t… read your lease and find out! In fact, if the furniture is yet to be purchased, I suggest making sure it’s indicated in writing what type of furniture will be made available. I couldn’t think of anything worse than thinking of a nice teak set which instead turns into a strip nylon folding chair. Landlords have been known to do it… and it’s a no-no… an ounce of prevention! Also, It would be a disaster if you had our daughter’s wedding at the house and there was only one lawn chair not as described! *
*obscure 80’s reference, if you get it let me know and I’ll owe you one! No googleing!
4) “Dah Plane Boss Dah Plane” – Yes, we know you come to the Hamptons for peace and quiet but we also have highways here and airports… and a train too! Here’s two simple words I can tell everyone “Google Earth.” Yep, check the address out and look at the aerials. If you’re near an airport or a train or a highway, you know you’re going to hear things. But remember, it’s not Queens so it’s probably not going to be as bad as you think but it doesn’t hurt to be forewarned.
Now, hopefully this is my last dire warning rental blogs. I’m starting to feel like Chicken Little!