real estate.

The Banana Splits…. and Which Professionals have the most psychopaths… I know what I think!?

In another strike against the average Joe, the Banana Republic store in Bridgehampton Commons has packed up and split.    While I don’t really buy my clothes at Kmart (OK, I bought a few Land’s End sweaters there) nor do I shop Bergdorf Goodman (OK I bought a few things there too), B.R. was one of the rare quality middle of the road shops out here in the Hamptons.    When I tried calling the company for a response, the woman on the phone couldn’t tell me why they left town but she did tell me she could save me 10% on my next purchase if I opened a Banana Republic credit card.

In other sad news, TheWeek.com has posed the question, “which professions have the most psychopaths?”  Now before you start thinking about “American Psycho,”  lets take a look at the definition of Psychopathy.   By definition, Psychopathy is a “personality disorder that has been variously described as characterized by shallow emotions (in particular reduced fear) stress tolerance, lacking empathy, cold heartedness, egocentricity …. and antisocial behaviors such as parasitic lifestyle and criminality.”  So those two sales agents that brawled at The Hotel a few weeks ago probably  psychopaths, it’s more likely they have anger issues.   So do you want to take a guess where sales people came on the list?  They were #4!  YIKES! Wedged between media personalities and surgeons.   That’s not such bad company is it?   So who are some of the biggest psychopaths I met working here on the East End?  Well, I never blog and tell.  But buy me a drink sometime… in vino veritas!

Finally, so why is this picture on my blog?  Because I can.  Happy Birthday Bella!!!

 

 

A Year After Sandy Generator Sales Still Soar…. and Fall Images of the Hamptons!!!

Ok, this year was a lot prettier than last year.  Hurricane Sandy ripped through the East End a little more than a year ago,  leaving much of the region without power for as long as 3 weeks.  Yes, I was one of them.    Since then homeowners have been exploring their options to prevent their milk from souring and the Internet from going down.    One of the most popular solutions has been purchasing a home generator.    From the simple gasoline lawn mower engine variety to the more complex, heres a quick intro some of the basic facts from the folks at East Hampton Energy Solutions!

Sure, the pools are closed and the beach is a little bit nippy.  But if you’ve ever had a doubt that the Hamptons are spectacular in the fall then look no further.   Here are some of my favorite sites in and around the East End.

Scarecrows line Main St. Amagansett, thanks to the kids from the local elementary school!
North Haven foliage or as a news anchor I once worked with called it… Foil-age!
Mill Hill Lane, East Hampton Village.

 

EH Village Fringe, near Buckskill Rd.

 

The center of Sag Harbor Village!

 

The prettiest tree in the Hamptons, seriously!  Look at the Shape!  Brick Kiln and Scuttle Hole Rds.

 

 

Good News for Winos…. ehhhhem….. and WBAZ’s Walker Vreeland’ Musings About Life in the Hamptons!

I known you were all wondering, where is the latest Hamptons Chatter positing.    Well the truth be told, I was on a wine bender!    Yep, I went to Napa Valley and visited some amazing wineries “Silver Oak” and “Twomey” to name a few… ate the best taco I’ve ever tasted at a place called “C Casa”…. and had an amazing tuna burger at “R and D Kitchen” in Yountville (Owned by the Hillstone Group who run East Hampton Grill).    But alas, it’s back to sobriety and reality here in the Hamptons.

Lieb Vineyard’s New East Hampton location
But quicker than I could say “DT’s” there’s a new tasting room that just opened up in East Hampton.     Lieb Vineyards now have a tasting room at 26 Park Place.  Which in case you don’t recognize theat address it’s better known as behind White’s Pharmacy in the way back of the Walbaum’s Parking lot.   Now to be honest I’ve never tried Lieb wines but they’ve attracted quite a following on the North Fork and the reviews seem to be pretty outstanding.  In fact, they were awarded with Dan’s Best of the Best for having a great tasting room staff and a Pinot Blanc that apparently Hamptonians love.    So, who am I to argue… I’ll hopefully see you soon at the tasting room!
Speaking of Dan’s Magazine and the Best of the Best, WBAZ Radio personality Walker Vreeland has been nominated for best East End Personality.   I know I voted for him!     I’ve long been a fan of Walker’s and when he agreed to talk to me for Hampton’s Chatter, I was psyched.   He grew up here in the Hamptons and recently we discussed the changing Hamptons scene.   I hope you find this as insightful and enjoyable as I did.

HUNTING FOR A HOUSE???? Great Apps for the Home Buyer… or Real Estate Junkie!

A few days ago , I got an e mail from another agent talking about a new i phone app someone in her family invented.   It was kind of like a Yelp or Foursquare for the Hamptons.   While I liked the app, I thought to myself why do I need a Hamptons Yelp when Yelp covers the Hamptons.   Hmmmmmm. So, that brings me to today’s blog.      I’m sharing with you some apps that anyone who is looking to buy or just window shop real estate should have.   Some are a little more complicated than others but once you get the hang of them, you’ll love them as much as I do.

HOUSE HUNTER PRO – Looking for a house is often a daunting endeavor!   Luckily your I phone can help make the process a little less stressful and HOUSE HUNTER PRO (for I phone) in the apps
store is a great tool.    The app helps you orgonize your notes,  pictures, features of the property and a mortgage calculator does the money thing for you too.    The app is $4 in the app store but since we’re good friends and you read Hamptons Chatter, for you it’s free!    The app is customizable and you only need to use the features you like.   So punch in code # 2412012 and get the app for free from me the only down side is my ugly mug comes up with my information when you open up.    If you don’t like my picture pay $4 and get a clean version.  But either way, try the app I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

MAGIC PLAN – So many buyers in the Hamptons come from NYC and they’re used to seeing floor plans.   So what do they do when the broker of the property doesn’t know measurements and doesn’t have a floor plan? (I and a hand full of others are the exception and do floor plans)   Well you take out your trusty I phone and start pointing and shooting.   Magic Plan will help you do floor plans for the individual room and the entire house.   It will also help you stay organized as you can make plans for a multiple of homes.    There are free versions as well as a more sophisticated ones that range in price up to $59.99.   Make whatever you do with Magic Plan, you play with the app before trying to use it on your house hunt.    You don’t want to look like a total moron in front of your agent!    Other wise, they’ll dump you and you’ll be looking for houses with that loser…… oh ask me in person, I’ll tell you who I’m talking about !  Here’s a little video of MAGIC PLAN I found online which explains the whole tamale!   DON’T FREAK THERE IS NO AUDIO!

There is also a similar app to this called PHOTO MEASURES but I’ve never tried it.  Friends of mine have and said it’s just as good as MAGIC PLAN.

Finally… my last app suggestion for your Hamptons House Hunters is…. drum roll please….

Property Evaluator

PROPERTY EVALUATOR – If your in the market for an investment property this app is a must have!!!  It allows you to input your purchase price, potential sales price, cost of improvements, the time you plan on carrying the mortgage and other various add ons and then turns out a sort of flip analysis.
Now, that is pretty frigging cool.   The app also has a mortgage calculator to help you also figure out your payments.     The cost is free for a basic version and goes up to $19.99.

Houzz-   This is a free app that’s kind of like PINTEREST meets INSTAGRAM.  Take a look at the largest database of home designs anywhere on the market.     It’s a really great tool for the buyer that’s contemplating just exactly what they can do to make that unrenovated 60’s split level stylish.   l

NEIGHBORHOOD SNOOP – This app is the cream on the cake.   Just activate your phones GPS options and let “Snoop” do the work.   The app actually scans Facebook postings, twitter mentions and postings, local town police records and Match.com to figure out if you’re going to like your neighbor or hate them!   The app grades potential neighbors on a “jerk” scale from 1-10.  If your neighbor is a 1 you’re a winner and that cup of sugar is on the way.  If the neighbor is a 10, then don’t buy the house!   If only this app really existed… sorry… yes I’m teasing you.   If it did exist I would have known my neighbor was an 8.5 before I bought my house!

Anyway, the film festival kicks off tonight.  I’m going to the opening party.  I’ll try to post some pics! Hopefully I’ll get my picture taken with somebody cool!  If you want more information on the film festival, check out their web site!