Some 1.5 hours outside of New York City, some 20 minutes from most of the Hamptons,  by car, by Hampton Jitney or by Long Island Railroad, you will find the North Fork…. a tiny peninsula accross the Peconic Bay from its famous South Fork, the Hamptons. (click for a Map of the North Fork) 

Many New Yorkers call the North Fork their best kept secret: a place to live while working in the City, or a place for a second home and enjoy the good things of life. The North Fork is surrounded by water, the Long Island Sound on the North, with spectacular homes overlooking the dunes and high bluffs towards Connecticut. To the South the North Fork encounters the Peconic Bay The Bay’s topography is characterized by many creeks and inlets allowing for many waterfront homes with their own (deep water) docks, with access to what many consider the world’s nicest fishing grounds for Sea Bass, Fluke and Bluefish; clams and lobsters are plentiful and the burgeoning oyster industry is famous on menues at the best restaurants not just locally, or in the City, but recently even worldwide. And through Shennecock you can reach the Atlantic’s best fishing grounds (The Canyon)  for sportsfishing and some of the most delicous Tuna – in itself a reason to come visit the North Fork if you like eating fish. To the South, the Bay between the Hamptons and the North Fork is called Peconic Bay, home to many charming and old whaling ports (Orient, Greenport)  with its charming whaling villages (Orient and Greenport), and the Tip of the North Fork point into the Atlantic Ocean. 

The Long Island Wine Council can provide you with information on all vineyards: lots off family fun atMartha Clara Vineyards, but certainly do not leave the Island without tasting some of the local Champagnes. 

I will be atSparkling Point this New Year’s eve… a great new vineyard at Hortons Lane and the North Road in Southold, and great members of the Community.And for a serious Beautiful local Merlot: try the Macari Bergen Road Merlot…

The North Fork has succeeded in maintaining its rural, agricultural character, with a life style many modern cisitzens of the World aspire to: eat and drink local foods and wine, and be connected to the soil! We have come far from the days of endless potato farms – the potatoes left are now the finest only! But Satur Farms and Sang Lee Farms show how specialty farming can succeed: they now are purveyors of the finest and most delicious and healthy produce served in top restaurants.

There’s lots to do on the North Fork. Check this blog out for current affairs and stuff to do in this great place:

For New Years Eve: The restaurants are providing a great wealth of quality places to be romantic or to see and be seen. The crew of "The Romantics" (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Murphy Brown’s Candice Bergen and Elijah Wood were seen hanging out in Greenport at FOB and the Frisky Oyster – for the celebrity watchers among you). And some local gossip: Dennis Mc Dermott sold his famous and successful restaurant and one of my favorite places to hang out: the Frisky Oyster in Greenport. New Year’s will be his last night, and we wish his chef success after taking over. And the FOB is sold to Noah, the chef of the Seafood Barge.  Change is good!

So come be a part of the North Fork and check things out. Stay a while, and let me and Nicholas at Town and Country help you find a place to stay more permanently if you like! We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to our local friends.

Today’s WSJ reports trader & investment bankers are spending on luxury items on the QT.

The focus was on the parallels between big bonuses and big spending. WSJ used the example of spending from $15,000-a-week-caribbean vacations to $200,000 platinum watches… and of course hi end real estate in NYC and the revered home in the Hamptons.

In the Hamptons the number of home sales in the 3rd Quarter of this year dramatically increased over the 2nd Quarter 2009 as well as increased from the same period (3rd Q 2008).

Bonuses are considerably lower than 2007 figures.

With all the bad PR these bonuses are getting, it seems the receipients are being told to be discrete in their spending.

The good news for the overall economy is they ARE spending it! Undeniably, this fuels the US economy and trickels down to everyone from the home seller to the shop keeper to the tax collector… 

The island’s name provides the essence of this wonderful island get-away: Shelter.

Shelter from the elements historically, Shelter to practice religion for the Methodists in the late 19th century , but nowadays more importantly Shelter from the hassle of our daily life… The island has succeeded to escape the urbanization of the rest of Long Island, and, along with the North Fork, reflects more of the lifestyle of the New Englanders who settled the place, than of the typical Urban dwellers sprawlingly urbanizing the surrounds of New York City. Locals will frown upon divulging this secret in a blog. I am counting they are not online….

So how can you become a part of this special place? Let me divulge the secret of the state of the real estate market here later in this blog: its a great time to buy a piece of paradise…

Count on getting to know the 2250 or so locals who live on this 8000 Acre island, most of which is set aside as a Nature Conservancy Preserve (and Mashomack preserve), by name: if you do it right they will know your’s. Not to worry, New England privacy -maybe reservedness-  is respected and developed into an art on Shelter Island. The island, maybe for that reason, is home to many a quiet celebrity, enjoy the natural beauty of this spectacular place.

The Ferries from Shelter Island to and from either Sag Harbor or Greenport jealously guard the privacy of Shelter Island – the only way to get on or off , protecting the likes of this golden oldie victorian overlooking Deering Harbor.

Summer Rentals provide a great way for people not from the island to get to spend some time. A room at the Rams Head Inn with its great lawn makes you a part of a Merchant Ivory movie scene.

In Summer you will meet Itzhak Perlman who leads a summer camp master class for the world’s most talented musicians-to-be. You can attend practice picknicking at his lawn or attend one of many regional concerts.

"Vine Cafe" and hangout for beautiful people, "Sunset Beach" at gorgeous Crescent Beach overlooking Southold Bay will provide entertainment and people watching, not quite as ostentatious as in the Hamptons, but much more refined. But do not be surprised to meet Grandma’s bridge partners having lunch while movie stars engage in romance at a table in the back….away from it all, protected from the paparazzi, the newst Shelter this Island now provides.

The town fathers have enacted laws making it very difficult to find Real Estate for sale on Shelter Island; no for sale signs can be placed by Realtors. Saturday Mornings you may be lucky to find some temporary Open House signs providing you with a glimpse of what could be your’s…before its really Beach Time. Realtors are not listing their properties on MLS in general. Values have not suffered from these practices, until now.

I personally have not seen value such as today’s on the Island of Protection, Shelter Island. From small shacks to brand new homes, from multimillion dollar waterfronts to a piece of land overlooking small creeks, opportunity is knocking loudly……

So talk to someone who knows the Island to help unveil its secrets. Now this is enjoyable house hunting. And become a part of Shelter Island, live longer, let Town and Country help you, providing you with Concierge service!

Remember you learned about this great secret at Town & Country’s blog first: a leg up on all the people searching for fabulous real estate opportunities: one for the record books:

(And don’t forget about us when you become rich and famous…..) this is a bit of a long blog: the secret is at the end of the blog!  Shhhh don’t tell anyone…….

The charming and historic maritime village of Greenport, judged by the number and caliber of new business openings lately, this Town is booming. Without any exaggeration. Much of the news centers around the theme of what everybody loves on the North Fork: Fish(ing), Food (Agritourism) and Wine, and the places to go and stay to take it all in. Greenport is in the center of all that is happening in the North Fork, New York’s Wine Country.

Take for example the Greenport Harbor Brewing company opened this summer…just behind Front Street, next to what looks like a Wild West Jail building where Greenport’s mischievous would have been housed temporarily in the past, the hustle-bustle tourist part of the Town.

A bit further down Main Street, just past Frank Purita’s  D’Latte (where you will enjoy the best Italian Gelato West of Rome) Nello Balan, culinary celebrity in Manhattan and South Hampton, is re-opening the former "Isle de Beaute" restaurant as "Seaweed".  Construction is underway there, and ground was broken for the large scale renovation at the site just accross the street where Nello will open a Hotel

 One of my favorite restaurateur’s on the North Fork, Dennis McDermott (FOH) and Hank Tomashevski (who scored a 7 year hit with the Frisky Oyster Restaurant ) opened Frisky Oyster Bar on Front Street…. with dining "al fresco" finally on Front Street overlooking the Carroussel and Souhold Bay/Greenport Harbor.

Mayor Kapell oversaw years of redevelopment of the Greenport Waterfront resulting in a quite attractive and family friendly down town in this spectacular yet cozy Maritime Town.

Family style "This little Italian Place" opened this week on Front Street with Southold’s favourite Italian Son, Joe Pagano returning to cooking family style Italian food and again, finally al fresco dining! And all these great places from simple to expensive are all walking distance in a 3 or 4 block area of Greenport’s waterfront Down-town. And don’t forget the welcome additions from previous years: (without getting into the Starbucks love-it or hate-it discussion) : The Loft (& Harborfront Deli), Barbeque Bill’s,and if you didn’t bring something appropriate to wear -whatever that means on the North Fork- ladies: visit Mint Boutique!!!

So now the catch-all secret: Greenport Real Estate, with the most charming fixer uppers on quiet, tree-lined avenues looking for tender love and restoring care, galant Victorians entirely restored, or glorious waterfronts, Greenport real estate has never been more affordable, is basically "ON SALE".

Check out also the special incentives for First Time Home Buyers, which bring these fixer uppers entirely within financial reach – you may be very pleasantly surprised! Call Town and Country’s family of local Real Estate professionals for more information, or email me at jbischoff@1townandcountry.com.

Buy a home now in Greenport. You’ll be glad you did. Before anyone else finds out what’s been happening!

For all who follow my stats on contracts signed -most current, least delayed snapshot of the market on the North Fork- great news!

StatsContracts

April and May 2009 were better than April and May last year in number of homes going into contract.  May showed 4 remarkeable high end transactions on the North Fork. Yes: multiple offers are back when homes are priced right. But make no mistake – the market remains value sensitive: buyers are looking for value. And asking prices may show further adjustments down. That’s still all good news!

Overpriced homes remain on the market but priced-right properties sold quickly, days on market for contracts signed are dipping below 150 days! Overall, the damage to home prices remains very limited on the North Fork. Some of the sales over $1 Million were so quick and so good that it appears for special properties there is no recession.

But in my opinion, a lot of asking prices for inventory hanging around need to come down a bit further to be able to sell.

Buyers will come off the fence a lot easier now when a home is perceived as value as interest rates are starting to inch up. It helps that on Thursday, June 11, CNN at 10AM mentioned that it is now a great time to buy, followed by Channel 12. The market psychology is changing.

TIPS FOR SELLERS TO PROFIT FROM THIS REBOUNDING MARKET

Bidding wars again. Can you believe it? You’d better. Your home’s not selling, even now? Seller take notice:

Tip 1: when deciding on a selling price with your agent look at homes that actually sold, not at asking prices. Asking prices mean nothing. Price your home a bit -10% -below the most recent comparable sale. And I mean RECENT. Within weeks, not months. Remember what you paid for your house and do not look too much at high bank appraisals when you refinanced before September 08 for an indication of what your home is worth.You’ll be very pleasantly surprised how good your investment in real estate looks compared to any other investment over the past 5 years, even when you price it to sell. Do not be greedy in this market.

Tip 2: More important than ever now is a seller’s task to take away negatives: clean and well maintained homes sell, the discount expected by buyers even for slight imperfections and lack of maintenance is disproportionate. So give that wall a fresh coat of paint, make sure the lawn is at least mowed, and make it easy (and I mean EASY) to show the house. Rather than lower your price $20K, fix problem areas of the house for $5K if you can and take negatives away. Listen to your broker and bring in professionals where needed. Make sure your online pics are GREAT and show the special things why you bought the house originally. Same will attract today’s buyers.

Tip 3: The day of the protective broker who is not giving a home the needed exposure trying to keep the transaction in his own hands are gone. Although some agents have not yet gotten that message, they will have to. Sellers, make sure your home is all over the internet and MLS as soon as possible, and do not allow your agent to restrict exposure and/or showings. That is never in your seller’s interest.

Tip 4: Find a solution for cats and dogs so they do not impede showings. Leave your home when it is shown.  Always. Do not hang around. Your buyer will not be comfortable. Always have some fresh flowers -from the garden is fine, make sure the beds are made and laundry organized at all times for unexpected sudden showings. A bit of an effort with great profits.

Tip 5: 75% of consumers (Pew Research) say now’s a great time to buy. 85% when you add money and education to the respondents. Give the buyers what they want and are looking for, make it possible for them to buy your home. Counter aggressively and take EVERY offer seriously. Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate and be prepared to accept a lower bid than you ideally would have liked. One bird in the hand is better than ten in the sky. Be honest with your broker. Trust him or her. You will save money for every month you do not own your home anymore. Don’t ever consider offers "too far apart".  Stress the strengths of your home, but be reasonable and open-minded. Remember that if your home does not appraise, which it might not, the bank will not give the buyer money to conclude your deal.

Any further questions: call any local area specialist at Town and Country. Or email me at jbischoff@1townandcountry.com

We will help you sell your home.

The Season’s of to a great start for the arts on the North Fork: the North Fork Community Theater is getting rave reviews for its new production of the Sound of Music; May 14-31st in Mattituck, for more infomation click below:

Get your first look at the new ownership of the Jedediah Hawkins Inn and Restaurant 

while visiting the opening of the art show of 30 brand new and never seen before works by Max Moran, one of the East End/North Fork’s most celebrated artists: Opening May 24th, 4-8pm, show ends July 5th, 2009, 400 South Jamesport Ave, Jamesport, NY 722 – 2900

For more information call Town And Country Real Estate or email jbischoff@1townandcountry.com

Greg Sandor and Paul Wegimont think outside of the box: Bridge Vineyards opened a tasting room in Brooklyn in February of 2008 -read the article by Robin Raisfeld and Rob Patronite, New York Magazine’s Restaurant Openings section for their North Fork wines from their Cutchogue vineyard.

As mentioned in various press releases and articles, The U.S open in Bethpage next month has chosen the Bridge Vineyards 2007 Estate Chardonnay and same vintage Merlot (made from grapes grown in the Cutchogue vineyard) as the only wine that will be sold in the Hospitality tents… a big deal. After only a few years of hard and smart work this is a crowning achievement and people should take notice.

To quote my friend Chris Baiz -owner of one of the North Fork most beautiful bay-front vineyards- "The Old Field" and president of the Long Island Wine Council from an article in the Suffolk Times: "Bridge Vineyard’s gain is the entire  North Fork Wine Industry’s gain".

Remember when Mondavi and Gallo were the only producers of jug wines in Napa and Sonoma and people were saying California wines would never compete with European wines….only a few decades back? The North Fork has now arrived as a wine region and agri-tourism destination.

Time to re-visit the North Fork and its vineyards if you haven’t had that wonderful experience in while! Visit www.northfork.org for any travel info you may need.

And of course, this wouldn’t be me if I wouldn’t just remind you about that happened to the values of Napa and Sonoma Real Estate as the wine region became a success…And in California you don’t even have the wonderful waterfronts we are so blessed with on the North Fork and in the Hamptons with worldclass beaches, fishing and epicurean lifestyle dining, only an hour and a half or so from Manhattan’s Midtown tunnel. You can take the Jitney or the Train, or take a leisurely drive.

So let the locals at Town and Country show you around and explain what the North Fork is all about these days; you’ll fall in love and want to own a piece of it! Or try it out by renting for the Summer. Either way, email me for any information jbischoff@1townandcountry.com or call me at 631 765 0500

Write these dates in your calendar, come to the North Fork, walk a bit and feel better about yourself:

Saturday, May 16, 2009 (8AM) , Peconic Landing, Greenport – 4th Annual May Mile and Peconic Landing 5K,

Saturday and Sunday May 30-31 "Relay for Life" in Jean Cochran Park , Peconic Lane, Peconic, team walking event to celebrate the hope for a cancer free America.

“The 4th Annual May Mile and Peconic Landing 5K”
Celebrate Older Americans Month at this community fitness event and BBQ with Caribbean music. Net proceeds benefit the Greenport Fire Department. Registration form and flyer featured on this website. Check out Newsday’s Peter King’s Column and Peconic Landing’s calendar about this event: http://www.peconiclanding.org/calendar.htm

“RELAY FOR LIFE, SOUTHOLD”

These links can explain better what this is all about than I can: we all know cancer survivors, and we can now do something about it we always postponed before: join this moving and effective event!

RELAY FOR LIFE, SOUTHOLD

Suffolk Times Article

Relay For Life Website

Any questions: email me at jbischoff@1townandcountry.com!

People who have followed my blog and the statistics I keep on the most current Real Estate Data on the North Fork RE Activity were already aware, but, honestly, I am glad that the facts are now supporting my optimism since February: the number of days homes sit on the market before they sell fell, median price rebounded a bit, and April of 2009 beat April of 2008 hands down in number of transactions, number of transactions above $1 million, although total salesvolume in dollars still fell a bit behind (a lot of lower priced sales of attractively priced homes – value – the year of the deal!)

Statistics North Fork Real Estate – Contracts Signed

This is truly good news for the North Fork and signals a great buying opportunity! As Barbara Corcoran mentioned during a Wells Fargo Event in Aquebogue last month (WWW.VineyardCaterers.COM – a great venue for events), it is for the historic first time in a very long time that home prices and interest rates are extremely low at the same time; normally if one of the two were lower, the other was not. And of course the Government stimulus and first time Home Buyer benefits ($8,000, Federal, and maybe coming from NYS -it’s already int he State Senate- another $7,000 tax deduction) make this a great market for first time home buyers – for now, this will not last.

Contact jbischoff@1townandcountry.com for more information or visit www.1townandcountry.com

Town and Country balloons adorn one of the parade’s major attractions; the horse & carriage courtesy of the North Fork Horsemen’s Association…

Hundreds of people enjoyed the St Patricks Day parade in Cutchogue… the kids of the North Fork and their parents came out in full force to enjoy a very crowded Down Town where North Fork Chamber President Joe Corso announced the participants in fornt of Fisherman’s restaurant on Main Road. Recently appointed North Fork Agent Advisor for T&C, Nicholas Planamento  and his Golden Retrievers Schuyler and Fleur carried the Torch for Town and Country. The people of Cutchogue seemed ready for a celebration, reflected also in the recent uptick in Real Estate activity on the North Fork