Situated oddly, Sean’s father explained that he had in fact dined at this opulent eatery located in the residential area of Bayview- it was a destination spot often navigated on foot, as those in the area were able to combine a nice walk with a fine meal.

The building was abandoned when we viewed it, but still intact- clearly devastated by a fire of some sort, it was destined to deteriorate without immediate intervention.

Below are photos of this once-grand establishment, along with a recent town meeting addressing the uncertain future of this once glorious structure.

http://southoldtown.iqm2.com/citizens/Detail_PublicHearing.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=1106&MediaPosition=&ID=1150&CssClass=

It has increasingly become an eyesore, due to the lack of maintenance and preservation that the owner was unable to provide for it.

I’d love to see it purchased and restored, but as the years go by, all elements worthy of restoration seemingly grow legs- where a sign once proclaimed it’s identity, there is now simply an empty and rotting post.

We were heading to the annual Clambake courtesy of the Flanders Men’s Club. While there were a few errands to run, the day was interrupted when that magnet sucked my car into a parked position.

As happens so often on the North Fork of Long Island in the summer, locals and vendors pick a sunny day, and the race is on for those looking for that SOMETHING. Or ten. Below are a few photos of the ultimate tag sale experience on the North Fork of Long Island. Until next weekend.

The coke machine worked perfectly, and was priced at 20.00. Had the seller not offered to plug it in and demonstrate, he’d have missed out on the quarters that ejected en masse. And we left without them.

Satisfied that all had been viewed, considered, and explored, it was off to the clambake.

The wonderful thing about living on the North Fork of Long Island is that the unexpected events provide the most memorable experiences. Whether it’s corn that has a sweetness that defies qualities inherent in a vegetable, or a coke machine that dumps a small fortune into the lap of a surprised seller, it’s just, well…FUN. And next weekend is just around the corner…

If you’re unaware of our beautiful area, the tag sale map below offers a view: we’re on the top fork. The other “fork” at the tip of Long Island is the Hamptons. Visit www.optionsrealty.com for more North fork “stuff”.

Newly constructed in Lineage Craftsman detail and style for the 21st. century.

With finely crafted detail evident, this home presents a wonderful opportunity in Southold on the North Fork of Long Island.

Vineyards, as far as the eye can see, provide a spectacular backdrop when relaxing on the back porch.
With a beautifully landscaped yard also comes a slate fire-pit, perfect for entertaining.

Click here to view the embedded video.A large country kitchen awaits completion, estimated to occur over the next few months. Bright and sunny, a generous number of windows offer additional vineyard views.

The large family room, open to the kitchen, includes a beautiful brick fireplace, with large windows offering additional light and space, in a room designed for relaxation.

In addition to a formal dining room on the main floor, upstairs offers 3 bedrooms + an office, with a master suite providing additional outdoor living, while enjoying the master bedroom fireplace, located on a charming deck that overlooks the vineyard.

A full basement complements this lovely home.

Go ahead and take a look at all the craftsman details of this property, by clicking here.

Priced at $1,050,000. To see this, or any luxury property on the North fork of Long Island contact us.

If you are mechanically or artistically inclined, think dream work space for your projects. The original attached one car garage is ready for finishing, affording additional space for a separate family room, or perhaps a master suite. With enormous potential, in addition to a fabulous location, this home is expansion-ready! The sellers have added unique, high quality windows throughout, and completed the outside with vinyl siding.

This home is landscaped professionally, maintaining the “woodsy” feel in the front without obstructing the home itself. A large, sunny kitchen is part of a “great room” layout- the “hot” look of today. With all of the important factors present for someone interested in investing in potential, this home has it.

What it also has is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION…making this a true gem for beach lovers seeking proximity, with an eye toward future expansion. A large deck overlooks the backyard, and the hot tub is included. If you are seeking a home to “make your own”, this may be the one- call us today!

See the website itself at www.7720Soundview.com for all the good information on this opportunity.

Stop in for our…

OPEN HOUSE – Sunday 5/18 11-2 PM

One of the most enduring characteristics of a “solid” home purchase is LOCATION. In Southold, while choices abound for opportunity, we recently listed a home that seems to have it all.

A stellar location, 7720 Soundview Avenue is set back amongst trees, with privacy afforded- “Great Pond” is directly across the street.

Surrounded by homes that are higher in asking price (currently available pricing ranges from $895k to nearly 3million), this home provides walking distance proximity to the Long Island Sound, with Kenneys Beach providing a day of fun destination for both kids and adults. An easy, tree lined walk provides the perfect opportunity for families to enjoy one of the most lovely beaches offered in the area.

Location: CHECK.

Due to the abundance of larger homes dotting Soundview Avenue, 7720 provides an entry price point well below the “norm” for this location. While the size and views justify the asking prices, purchasing in a location with properties in the “stellar” range is always a good idea.

Price: CHECK.

In keeping with age old advice to purchase potential as well as price and location, while this home is perfect as a “weekend getaway”, the presence of a newly erected, heated three car garage is food for the imagination- should the need to “expand” present itself, the structure affords additional space, with potential for finishing. A guest area,or private work space, is ripe for finishing, with privacy afforded. In addition to the three car garage, the existing one-car attached garage is waiting for finishing- asun-room, perhaps, or a master suite?

Potential: CHECK.

Additionally, the owners have lovingly engaged in their “green thumb” activities- while the trees have yet to bloom, the flowers planted over the years are starting to emerge. Coupled with a pond just outside the front door, and a hot tub in the back, this home offers a wonderful vacation feeling- “peaceful” comes to mind. Combined with the charming location of a town intent on retaining a rural feel, the opportunity is rare, indeed.

Quality of life: CHECK.

TO VIEW THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY, CALL TODAY!

Click here for the link to the detailed flyer on this home with lots more photos.

The following information was obtained from MLSli. While deemed accurate, entries are provided by outside participants.

Want a whole lot more info? Click to our homepage, and then click on the MARKET SNAPSHOT (lower right). Graphs, colors, and information providing a detailed view of the North Fork.

Increased signage doesn’t fall into this category, because it is to both the benefit of buyers and sellers to direct traffic to a home for sale.

We just felt (and feel) that increased signage is ugly for the community, so chose not to engage in a practice that seemed to be growing.

Southold town agrees: NO MORE REAL ESTATE SIGNS OUTSIDE OF THE FOR SALE PROPERTY ITSELF.

No more huge, staked full sized sign pointing to another, which leads to the one that sits patiently in front of the home for sale. What’s next- a billboard at every corner?

While our area is often difficult to navigate, the advent of tools to assist both prospective buyers, and the real estate agents that service them is available (Garmin, anyone?).

Utilizing a listing to promote a company logo is perfect, just as it was, in front of the house only.

Local companies decided to take it a step beyond an unobtrusive (yet illegal, per Southold town codes) little arrow directional, offered to spike interest- yet somehow, not offensive.

The town appeared to agree to ignore- as did the residents (if the historical little directional is any indication- they’ve been around for a while).

Town of Southold to Enforce Sign Laws

The Town of Southold has contacted LIBOR and stated that many violations of Sign Code that involve real estate signage, have been observed at various locations throughout the Town.

By far, the most common complaint involves off-premise signage. Many “off-premise signs” have been noted. For Sale signs must be on the property being sold. Signs placed at intersections pointing to a property “down the street”, as well as signs placed within the public right of way, represent a violation.

The regulations state;

§280-85 (I)

Real estate signs. One (1) sign shall be allowed to advertise the sale or lease of real property. The sign may be either single- or double-faced and not larger than six (6) square feet in size. The sign shall be located at least fifteen (15) feet from the public right-of-way. All real estate signs must be removed immediately upon closing on the lease or sale. This sign may be allowed in any zone.

§280-83

Signs noting that a property has been sold are prohibited. Off-premise signs are prohibited.

Please take the steps necessary to inform your employees at all of your offices of the law and immediately remove all signs in violation. Your cooperation in this voluntary enforcement effort is requested. Should voluntary compliance fail, the Town will take the steps necessary to enforce the Code.

-L.I.B.O.R. on-line news announcement to all Long Island MLS Members 2/24/08

The growing trend has been to place a full sized sign on the closest main road possible, in order to advertise both the listing, and the company. Perfect idea, provided all permits are in place for a potentially long term sign. Good for you, Southold.

The larger picture is that people are purchasing in a community, and presentation of that community creates a desire to live here.

Buyers will find available properties, and they have access to many means available without sullying the landscape that is the North Fork of Long Island.

If you are interested in buying/selling a home on the North Fork of Long Island, we’d love to help you locate a property- don’t worry, we have a Garmin.

What does a home, available for sale from $345k to $499k look like in Southold, New York?

What does a SOLD home, priced from $352k to $499k look like?

Information gathered from MLSli (Multiple Listing Service of Long Island) provides information, which is entered into the system by third parties (real estate agents).*

A HOUSE ON THE MARKET PRICED BETWEEN 345K AND 499K IN SOUTHOLD, NEW YORK AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 2008 HAS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS (16 available properties in this price range):*
Square footage: 1377* Basement: .76 or, three quarter basement. (Slab=0; crawl=.25;part=.50; full =1 point. Total divided by homes on the market). Style: Ranch: 11; 2 story (to include cape, colonial, etc): 6.
Bedrooms: 3
Garage: 1.75
Bath: 1.87

A SOLD HOUSE IN SOUTHOLD, NEW YORK, BETWEEN THE DATES OF 06/01/2007 THROUGH -2/17/2008 priced from 345K-499K HAS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS:
Square footage: 1423*
Basement: .82
Style: ranch: 14 (to include “raised”, “expanded”, and “Hi” ranches); 2 story (see above): 5
Garage: 1.36
Bedrooms: 3
Bath: 1.76

These figures are rudimentary. Not taken into account is location (priceless?) age, or condition. Interestingly, there are available what appear to be very nice buys- one comes to mind that’s a fixer upper with water view.

There are many elements lacking, when taking 16 (on the market) houses, vs. 19 sold houses and developing a model of a good opportunity. It is, however, a “feasibility” study of sorts, providing facts to offset decisions. The right combination of expectation and offer for sale is important right now. While the buyer pool has slowed, it hasn’t stopped. People want to buy a home that is MARKET VALUE if in great shape, and UNDER MARKET if it needs work. Both terms are a moving target at the moment.

*the numbers were skewed by the input provided- for example, one sold property indicated over 14000 s.f.- clearly incorrect. Houses whose #’s were clearly off were eliminated in that category, with the remaining properties divided.

Winter weather notwithstanding, on days in which the sun permits a walk on the beach, I’m reminded again of the magic of our area.

The beach pictured is Cedar Beach, located in Southold, New York. While we enjoy evening strolls in warm weather, yesterday provided an opportunity to bring our bulldog, Oliver, to his favorite place. Keeping him out of the water was a challenge, but his good behavior was rewarded with the treasure that he located- a tennis ball.

If you’re interested in living on the North Fork of Long Island, Oliver highly recommends it- contact us for homes that are for sale in the Cedar Beach area of Southold, New York.

In the interest of those looking for condominiums on the North Fork of Long Island, the following is a market report, with information obtained from MLS Long Island www.mlsli.com. Consult with your real estate agent to confirm figures and receive the most current information. We are in a changing market.

Aquebogue, New York condominium sales Jan. 2007- Dec. 2007 BY COMMUNITY:

Silver Village: 2 sold; average price: $494,000. One 3 bed/2 bath; one 2 bed/3 bath. Common charges for this community are in the $223/month range. There are currently 4 homes available, ranging in price from $365k to $485k.

Baiting Hollow, New York condominium sales Jan.2007-Dec.2007 BY COMMUNITY:

The Bluffs: 5 sold; average price: $409,600. All sold were 2 bed/2bath. Common charges monthly range from $295-314.00. There are currently 12 homes for sale, ranging in price from $299k-479k.

The Knolls: 2 sold; average price: $384,500. Both sold were 2 bed/2 bath. Common charges monthly range from $295-350.00. There are currently 7 homes for sale, ranging in price from $369k-650k.

Calverton, New York condominium sales Jan. 2007- Dec. 2007 BY COMMUNITY:

Windcrest East: 7 sold; average price: $548,400. All sold were 3 bed/3bath. This is a community of independent condominiums- no attached neighbors. Common charges monthly are $211.00. There are currently 4 homes for sale, ranging in price from $589k-619k.

EAST MARION, NEW YORK condominium sales Jan. 2007-Dec.2007 BY COMMUNITY:

Cleaves Point: 3 sold; average price: $840,000. for 2 bed/2.5 bath; $500,000. for 2 bed/1 bath. Common charges range in the mid 500’s monthly. There is currently 1 home for sale in Cleaves Point, offered at $865k.

SOUTHOLD, NEW YORK condominium sales Jan.2007-Dec.2007 BY COMMUNITY:

Founders Village: 5 sold; average price: $374,300.- all have 2 bed/2 bath. Common charges range from $220-240/month. There are currently 2 homes available for $349k, and 345k.

GREENPORT, NEW YORK condominium sales Jan.2007-Dec.2007 BY COMMUNITY:

Sterling Cove: 1 sold; closed price was $699,000. Common charges are in the mid $400’s/month. There are currently no homes for sale.

Pheasant Run: 1 sold; closed price was $350,000. Common charges are approx. $300./month. There is currently 1 home for sale at $429,000.

RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK condominium sales Jan.2007-Dec.2007 BY COMMUNITY:

Mill Pond: 13 sold; closed price averaged $304,500.00. Common charges are approx. $187./month. Closed homes had 2 bed and 1.5-2 baths. There are currently 8 homes for sale, ranging in price from $285,000. to $349,000.

Willow Ponds: 3 sold; closed price averaged $320,000. Common charges are approx. $220-280/month. Closed homes had 2 bed and 1.5-2 baths. There are currently 6 homes for sale, ranging in price from $369,900. to $525,000.

Stoneleigh Woods: there are currently 2 homes for sale, priced at $365k and $375k. Common charges are approx. $250/month. The home has 2 bed/2.5 baths.

Sunken Pond: 5 homes sold; closed price averaged $361,700. Common charges are approx. $260/month. Homes sold had 2 bed/2-2.5 baths. There are currently 3 homes for sale, priced from $350k-410k.

Saddle Lakes: 4 homes sold; closed price averaged $459,500. Common charges are approx. $280./month. There is currently 1 home for sale, priced at $395k.

We’d love to help you with your second home/retirement plans. Contact us: stark@optionsrealty, or call 631-727-2227 for additional information on all retirement/second home possibilities on the North Fork!

If you are thinking about selling a condo in the North Fork, we’d love to talk with you. We have interested clients seeking condominium living- let’s talk! Contact laurie@optionsrealty.com, or call 631-727-2227.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 2008!