When is the best time to book your Summer rental?

Fire Island lovers who are looking now to book their Summer rental are certainly not looking too early! The sooner you look & book, the more available inventory there is to choose from, so we recommend you start looking into your summer rental plans now! 

Fire Island Sales & Rentals does a very large volume of rental bookings, with 22% of rentals booked before year’s end for the following summer, and 38% of rentals booked between January and March. December is the perfect time to secure your rental in the home that is perfect for your group's needs, before the bulk of the inventory gets scooped up in January, February and March.

As the winter season goes on, more and more available homes get booked up, so right now is the best time to rent because you can get your pick of the most houses.  This is especially important if you have very specific dates or if you are looking for a home with specific requirements such as a pool, an oceanfront property, or a pet friendly home.  Because inventory of these home types is more limited, it is all the more important to start your search early on in the year.  At this point, almost all of our homeowners have figured out their availability for next Summer and are ready to start booking. If you’re looking for a house with a pool, water views, traveling with pets or large groups it is very important to start booking earlier or you will likely have to make significant compromises if you wait to book until closer to the Summer season.  

If I wait until the last minute to book, can I score a great deal?

Some clients intentionally wait until the last minute to book their rentals in the hopes that they will find a deeply discounted rate if a home is still available close to their desired travel dates.  This strategy can work well, but only if you are very flexible with your needs.  If you are looking for a waterfront/water view home, a home with a pool, or a home with a very large sleeping capacity, we would not recommend this strategy, as those houses are in such high demand that they tend to book up completely before we even hit the Spring time.  There is a big risk that waiting until the last minute will backfire, as it is not uncommon for the island to book up completely with no available inventory left come June.  If you’re okay with taking a chance, you can sometimes find a good deal by holding out until the last minute to book, but there are no guarantees a home that fits your needs will still be available by the time Summer rolls around.

 

Contact us today to book!

By: Alyssa O'Keefe and Abigail Mago


With the colder weather moving in, a day at the beach may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, if you have been considering purchasing a beach house, the “off season” is one of the best times to do so! Here are five reasons why now is the best time to buy on Fire Island:

1. Time is On Your Side

Buying a beach house in the offseason gives you plenty of time to complete any home renovations or improvements ahead of the busy Summer season.  With many Fire Island communities prohibiting construction work during the Summer months, you would have to do any renovations before the peak season starts in July.  Buying before year’s end will give you enough time to do smaller scale projects like a kitchen or bathroom update, a new deck, or whatever finishing touches the property you select might need. 

2. Decreased Competition from other Buyers

Given the current interest rate environment, many buyers have opted to wait on the sidelines before jumping in to making a purchase. This puts those who are ready to buy now in a favorable position, since there is a lower level of competition. If you are able to take advantage of this opportunity, you will have your pick of inventory.  Which brings us to our next point…

3. Interest Rates Aren’t Permanent

It may seem counterintuitive to shop now while interest rates are at high levels relative to the last several years.  However, if you do opt to take advantage of the lower levels of competition in the market, you can always refinance your mortgage down the line, when interest rates come down again.  As the saying goes, “marry the property, date the rate”. Many lenders are even offering incentives allowing you to refinance your mortgage in the future at zero cost.  We have been in an extreme sellers’ market for 3 years and we are finally finding a bit more equilibrium.  Because Fire Island is such a unique place, with a limited supply of homes, we don’t tend to experience huge gluts of inventory like other markets do, so when the right property comes along, you don’t want to let the opportunity pass you by just because of a temporary condition like interest rates.  Plus, as soon as interest rates do start trending downward again, all of those buyers that have been sitting on the sidelines are going to jump right back into the market, creating another frenzy that will likely cause prices to start climbing again.

4. Inventory is still low, but Improving

Whether you are looking for your first beach house, an upgrade, downsize, or rental investment property, there are homes available ranging from adorable “starter” beach bungalows under $1M to immaculate new construction homes priced at $4M and beyond. The Covid frenzy has eased so inventory levels, while still relatively low, are improving, giving buyers more options to choose from than we have seen over the last 3 years.

5. It’s a Great Investment… That you Can Actually Enjoy

While buying a beach house is a luxury, it can also be a great investment. Whether you choose to rent your property out for cash flow, or just hold on to it for appreciation, investing your money in real estate is a great way to build long term wealth.  Historical price appreciation for homes on Fire Island has been extremely strong, and during inflationary periods, owning hard assets like real estate is the best way to defend against your money getting devalued by inflation.  Best of all, you can enjoy the property and create lasting memories with your friends and family, while benefiting from that wise financial decision.  

 

Whether you decide to buy now or later, we are always here to guide our clients through every step of the buying process.  We recognize that it is our privilege to be of service to you. Contact us today to learn more about the current Fire Island real estate market or to schedule a showing at any Fire Island listing from Kismet to Davis Park.

In recent years, the debate of traditionally renting out your home (i.e. through a real estate agent) versus renting through popular vacation booking sites, like AirBnB and VRBO, has received more attention as the vacation rental industry continues to become more popular. We believe when renting out your beach house, there are many more benefits as a homeowner to rent your home through us rather than a booking site and we’ve put together a list of some of these benefits.

We’re here when you need us. First and foremost, we are local! We have two offices in Ocean Beach so if any problems arise for your guests during their stay, our rental agents can go over to your house in a matter of minutes to quickly address any issues for the renters. This is helpful to both you as the homeowner as well as the renters. The renters will get their issues addressed immediately, and we will inform you what is going on and take care of it without you needing to rush out to the island to handle the problem.

Fees & Payment Timing. Another major difference between renting your home through Fire Island Sales & Rentals versus VRBO and AirBnB is when the homeowners collect their money. Through VRBO, the owner doesn’t get paid until the day after the guest checks in. When we book rentals, the owner receives a deposit at the time of booking, which in many cases is months earlier.
VRBO charges 8% to the homeowner (which they break down into 5% commission and 3% payment processing fee). They also charge an additional service fee to the renter, which doesn't come directly from the owner's pocket, but if that same guest were to book their vacation through us, either it would cost them less or the owner would get to keep more of the money in their pocket.

AirBNB used to charge hosts 3% of the rent amount and make the guests pay a variable fee up to 14.2%. Now, they charge hosts 15%, resulting in Fire Island Sales & Rentals being way more competitive than AirBnB from a price perspective. They also charge a service fee to guests on top of the 15% to hosts.

We screen your renters. On AirBnB and VRBO, anyone can book your home at the click of a button. We talk to all of our potential tenants and weed out noisy or destructive groups that would cause a disturbance to the neighborhood and potentially damage your property. We draw on a huge pool of repeat tenants that rent with us year after year, so in many cases we know first hand they will treat your home with care. If a rowdy or destructive group rents your home off of AirBnB or VRBO, there is no one who is accountable to you. If we handle your rental, we do everything possible to ensure that only suitable tenants are placed in your home, and in the unlikely event that an issue arises, we are here to work with you to handle the situation.

Additionally, we also market your home for you by sending out email blasts to thousands of potential renters and promote your rental on our social media platforms, like Instagram and Facebook. We also know the Fire Island rental market very well so we can steer you in the right direction in terms of pricing, and we are extremely helpful in filling a last minute vacancy.

If you are interested in renting out your home, we are here for you! Contact us today to discuss what your home could generate in weekly, monthly, or seasonal income.

 

Rental season is just around the corner! If you’re a homeowner who takes advantage of the lucrative rental market on Fire Island, we’ve put together a list of some tips to get your home rental ready for a successful summer.

  1. Cleaning: Give the whole space a deep clean before the rental season begins!
  1. Routine Maintenance of AC & Appliances: To avoid having to make maintenance calls while renters are at your home, it’s worth checking to make sure the AC’s work and if any air filters need to be replaced before your first rental checks in. This is also a good time to clean the grill and replace any grill brushes from last season.
  1. Check Kitchen Items: Since most people are renting for at least a week at a time, we can assume that they’ll be cooking a lot of their meals at the house as opposed to going out to eat every night. We recommend taking inventory every year of everything and making sure you have a full set of dishes, pots and pans, and utensils. These items will experience a lot of wear and tear since they will most likely be used the most in the house!
  1. Bike & Beach Items: Take inventory of bikes, beach chairs, and beach umbrellas and see if any need to be replaced and/or fixed and if you just feel you need more!
  1. Wagons: Note where the wagon can be picked up and where it should be left off when your renters’ stay is over. It may be a good idea to have renters take pictures of the bikes once they arrive and once they leave.
  1. Permits: Make sure rental permits and the BBQ permit are filed 
  1. Touch ups & repairs:  A fresh coat of paint goes a long way to brighten up your space!  Make sure all door handles are working, windows and doors are opening and closing properly, etc.
  1. Linen Inventory & Replacement: Good quality sheets and towels are important to renters. Since these items tend to get worn out the quickest, it’s a good idea to inspect them and see what needs to be replaced.
  1. Pool Maintenance: If your home has a pool, have it cleaned and make sure the filtration is working properly and the shock treatments are done.
  1. Welcome Packet: Putting a packet together for your renters with information like the bike lock codes, wifi, how to access the TV channels/streaming, etc. can go a long way. A list of the local shops, restaurants, and bars are always appreciated by the renters too as they love recommendations of the locals’ favorites. 

These are just some punch list items to get you started before summer officially begins. We wish everyone a successful summer rental season!

With interest rates at historic lows, we are seeing most buyers take advantage of low cost financing by obtaining a mortgage for the purchase of their beach house.  In many cases, even those with funds available to buy in cash are opting to finance their purchases.  Low interest rates also mean that buyers can afford more house for their money.  Today we have a guest blog post from local Mortgage Broker Jason O’Keefe discussing the impact of interest rates on loan costs.

When looking into financing the purchase of a property, one of the most important terms of your loan is the interest rate. It is the key component that drives how much interest you will pay to your lender over the life of the loan you obtain.  

Say for example you take out a 30 year loan for 400k with an interest rate of 3.75% , you end up paying a total of $326,886 in interest to your lender. However, if your lender issues you a lower interest rate of 2.75% the total amount of interest paid to your lender is reduced to $247,867. That change in rate results in a significant savings of $79,019…. 

Of course rates vary depending on your credit score, down payment, loan program, and other factors but you can see that it’s imperative to be rate conscious and make sure you are getting the best rate available out there at the time. That is one of the key benefits of working with a broker who can shop your mortgage to multiple lenders across the country, as opposed to limiting yourself to just one or two local lending institutions.   

With rates at historically low levels it’s currently a great time to obtain financing for a new home purchase or refinance your existing loan.  

In today’s fast moving real estate market it’s very important to obtain a prequalification letter from your lender before making an offer on a property, in fact most realtors require it in order to set up an appointment to view a home.  

Always happy to answer any financing questions that may come up, as there are a lot of moving parts when going through the process of purchasing a new home.  

 

Jason D. O’Keefe 
InterContinental Capital Group | NMLS # 60134
265 Broadhollow Road, Suite 220 
Melville, NY 11747 
631-697-3266 
jokeefe@icghome.com 
intercontinentalcapital.com 

Thank you to Jason for guest writing on our blog! We hope this was helpful and are happy to answer any questions

The flowers are blooming, the chill is finally leaving the air and the sun is setting after 6 PM.  The first signs of Spring are officially here!  With warmer temperatures around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning the opening of your Fire Island home for the season.

One of the first steps to take in opening your home is scheduling with your plumber for your water to be turned back on.  Once we have moved past freezing temperatures, it’s safe to turn the water back on in your home. Keep an eye on the forecast when planning your water turn-on.
Note: In Seaview, the water will be turned on by the Seaview Association no later than April 15th.

With the warmer weather on the way, landscaping may also come to mind.  Spring is the perfect time to schedule a yard clean up.  If you are planning to incorporate some new landscaping or hardscaping this year, now is the time to start planning those improvements before Summer gets in full swing and it becomes too hot to plant.

Whether you are renting out your home or using it for your own enjoyment, it's important to make any necessary repairs before the summer season comes around!  Beyond any needed repairs, sprucing up your house with a fresh coat of paint on your walls and power washing the exterior can make a big difference in its appearance. If you have stored your bedding, linens and towels for the winter, now is a good time to take inventory to ensure you are well equipped for the season ahead.

Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to check on the condition of your bikes, wagons and beach chairs now, so that you have ample time to repair or replace any of these beach life necessities well before the prime summer season!  Given Covid’s disruption of many supply chains, it can take longer for goods to be delivered so make sure to plan ahead for your needs. 

We are looking forward to seeing everyone back on our favorite island soon!

Below is a list of vendors who can assist in the opening of your home:

Plumbers:

LOVE the Plumber - (631) 583-5612
Fire Island Plumbing Co. - (631) 583-6500
Remy’s Lighthouse - (631) 583-5411

Landscapers:

Fire Island Landscaping - (631) 383-8395
Island Nursery & Landscaping - (917) 575-5251
Fazio Landscaping - (516) 510-0807

Propane:
Beach Propane - (631) 583-6500
LOVE the Plumber - (631) 583-5612
Ocean Beach Hardware - (631) 583-5826

Cleaners:
Sunshine Cleaning - (631) 767-4386
Martha Vega - (718) 908-1091

Fairy House Mother – Fire Island Home Concierge Service
Phone: 917-968-1007
Email: Sabrina@fairyhousemother.com 

 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We are happy to be of service to you!

 

As summer is fast approaching, your kids must know what that means...summer camp! Ocean Beach Youth Group is open for enrollment and they are offering an enrollment discount for anyone who signs up before April 1. 

The safety of your children is very important which is why OBYG is taking every precaution to ensure they execute a fun experience while adhering to all COVID protocols and guidelines. Check out their registration letter to learn more about their new programs they announced for their youngest and oldest campers. 

Whether you sign your kids up for a full season or a monthly session, Ocean Beach Youth Group will be a place where they will make tons of memories. The sessions dates run as the following:

Full Season: June 28 - Aug. 20, 2021
July Session:  June 28 - July 30, 2021 
August Session:  Aug. 2 - Aug. 20, 2020

Enroll today to save! Be sure to check their website as they continue to update it with more information including their camp calendar. We can't wait to see you all this summer!

Congratulations!  You listed your home, accepted an offer and went under contract.  Now what?  Below is a list of items to tackle ahead of closing to ensure a smooth transaction.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at Fire Island Real Estate if you need any further assistance with these task items.  We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you!

Before closing:

  • - Remove any artwork, personal effects and excluded items, if applicable, from your home.
  • - Transfer Flood Insurance Policy, if applicable.  In most cases, the buyer will want to assume your flood insurance policy.  Your insurance broker will coordinate the policy assumption.  If the buyer is not assuming your policy, cancel coverage one day after closing to avoid any lapse in coverage.

Utilities:

  1. Electric:
  • PSEGLI - (800) 490-0025
  • Once you have a set closing date, contact PSEGLI with your account information readily available to set your service to switch over to the new homeowner for the day of your scheduled closing.
  1. Water:
  • Call Suffolk County Water Authority to close your account as of your closing date. (631) 698-9500
  • Please note this does NOT APPLY to homes located in Ocean Beach and Seaview.  Water is included in Village of Ocean Beach taxes and Seaview Association Dues, so no separate account is necessary in those towns.
  1. DirecTV/Dish
  • Please close your Direct TV or Dish TV account
  • Remember to remove all DirecTV or Dish Network cable boxes and remotes before closing and send back to your provider. If you don’t return your equipment, they will charge your account.
  • DirecTV - (800) 531-5000
  • Dish Network – (800) 333-3474
  1. WiFi:
  • Verizon Fios – (800) 837-4966
  • Call customer service to cancel your account.  Remove your router and send back to Verizon.  If you don’t return your router, they will continue to charge your account.


You may want to provide the buyer with a list of the vendors you currently use to service your home (i.e. plumber, handyman, landscaper, cleaning service, etc.).  We would be glad to pass this information along to the buyer so that they have the option to continue using the service providers that are familiar with the home.

Keys/Access Codes: Make sure to bring your keys to the closing to give to the buyer.  If you are not attending the closing in person, make arrangements with us to provide the keys to the buyer.

Carting:

In the event you need to clear or dispose of contents in your home, you may need a local carting company to assist.  Below is contact information for several local carting companies:

Beach Comber Carting
Phone: (347) 234-8531

Cherveny Carting
Phone: (631) 495-5658

Metcalf Carting
Phone: (631) 583-8521

Spoons Carting
Phone: (631) 583-7271

Stang Carting
Phone: (631) 567-7792

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Don’t forget, there is always a place at the beach for you!  Be sure to check out our rental options at www.fireislandrealestate.com/for-rent. If you are thinking of selling your Fire Island home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to see how much your home is worth here.


By: Abigail Mago, Licensed Associate Broker

I think it’s safe to say that 2020 has been a wild year for everyone. Despite the economic chaos brought on by the pandemic, the Fire Island real estate market has flourished this year. While we won’t have a complete data set to analyze the full year’s performance until roughly February 2021, recorded sales so far indicate strong market growth in 2020. The average recorded sale price for all of Fire Island so far this year is $909,881. That’s a 10.9% increase from 2019’s average sale price of $820,381, and just above the highest average sale price of all-time which was $907,042 in 2018. While the average sale price is a very useful metric, it can be heavily skewed by any outliers, so it is also helpful to look at the median sale price. While Fire Island’s 2019 median sale price was $750,000, 2020’s median so far is $800,000, which represents a 6.7% increase.

There are a number of factors at play that are contributing to the strength of the market. Covid-19 has caused a large demand spike from city dwellers who are looking to escape to less dense places. Even though Fire Island is not traditionally thought of as a year-round destination, we are seeing many families still utilizing their homes late into the Fall season and planning to stay through the Winter months. Year-round usability was not previously a request made by many buyers, but in the current climate that has become a sought-after amenity.

Another major factor is that with the stock market back near all-time highs, many buyers are looking to real estate as an alternative home for their capital. Those with excess cash are weary of investing their money in what could be the top of the equities market, and many who are already invested have decided to cash out some of their stock portfolios, lock in their gains, and put that money into real estate. As an asset you can enjoy, beach houses are at the top of many savvy investors’ wish lists.

The final major factor at play is obscenely low interest rates. With mortgage rates currently in the mid 2’s, it almost feels as though the bank is paying you to buy a beach house. All of these factors acting at once are creating the perfect storm for an extremely strong market. With such robust buyer activity, inventory is rapidly shrinking, and I believe we are poised for another price jump.


While the current state of COVID-19 is only allowing us to dine outside, this has always been the way of life on Fire Island! If you're spending the week, weekend, or even just the day on Fire Island you'll definitely want to treat yourself to dinner with a beautiful view! We've rounded up our favorite bayfront restaurants in Ocean Beach where you'll be snapping pictures of the sunset all night.

The Island Mermaid

Right in the heart of town, The Island Mermaid is where causal, elegant dining is embraced through the entire experience. Enjoy incredible views of the Great South Bay while dining.  Throughout the summer, The Mermaid hosts events a few nights a week. Check out their website for their event schedule!

Address: 780 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach, NY, Fire Island

Maguire's Waterfront Restaurant

Located on the west end of Ocean Beach, Maguire's is a staple for Fire Island restaurant goers. Sitting outside at Maguire's, you'll have a front row seat to gorgeous Fire Island summer sunsets. Offering great happy hour specials 5 days a week and Lobsterpalooza on Thursdays, any day is a great day to dine at Maguire's!

Address: 1 Bungalow Walk, Ocean Beach, NY, Fire Island

Houser's

Houser's Bar offers casual Bayfront dining with an extensive menu. You'll feel like you never left the beach in their outdoor dining space that sits on the soft sand. You'll love the tropical atmosphere while taking in the gorgeous views! Be sure to check out their specials!

Address: 785 Evergreen Walk, Ocean Beach, NY, Fire Island

The Hideaway

Part of Houser's Hotel, The Hideaway has the feel of a little French bistro that just so happens to sit right on the Great South Bay. The Hideaway grows fresh herbs right there on the premise that they use to garnish their signature dishes which adds that extra touch of excellence. With great food and wait staff, you'll be sure to enjoy your experience at The Hideaway!

Address: 785 Evergreen Walk, Ocean Beach, NY, Fire Island

Matthews Seafood

You can find Matthew's Seafood Restaurant around the bend on the east end of Ocean Beach just before you enter Seaview. Watch the boats pass by or admire the ones that dock right at the restaurant. Hosting daily specials and events, most notably Margarita Madness on Thursdays! Loved your meal? Head over to Matthew's Market and purchase fresh seafood to bring home!

Address: 935 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach, NY, Fire Island

We hope you enjoy these waterfront restaurants as much as we do and tag @fireislandre in your favorite waterfront, sunset picture to be featured on our social media!

Looking to escape to Fire Island? We've put together a list of available rentals we have to offer for this summer*. Check out the list below and we hope you decide to book your Fire Island stay with us!

Seaview Home Close to the Beach
Bed: 4
Bath: 2.5
Available: July or August
Asking: July $25,000
August $30,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/sv-46r

Ocean Bay Park Home with Ocean Views!
Bed: 4
Bath: 2
Available: August 3 - September 8
Asking: $35,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/obp-29r

Ocean Bay Park Bayfront Bungalow
Bed: 3
Bath: 1
Available: August 1 - September 8
Asking: $24,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/obp-3r


Renovated Seaview Home With Sunny Outdoor Deck
Bed: 4
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 8
Available: June, July 1-26, August 3-23
Asking: $6,000/week
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/sv-27

Charming Seaview Home With Spacious Decks & Bay Views
Bed: 4
Bath: 1 Full, 2 Half
Sleeps: 9
Available: June, July 1-18, July 27-31, August 1-23
Asking: $4,500/week
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/sv-4r

Ocean Bay Park Home With Sunny West Facing Deck
Bed: 3
Bath: 1.5
Available: June, July, August
Asking: June $20,000
July $25,000
August $25,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/obp-4r

Gorgeous, Modern Oceanfront Ocean Bay Park Home
Bed: 4
Bath: 2.5
Available: July 1 through September 8
Asking: $112,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/obp-37sr

Fully Equipped Ocean Beach Home with Spacious Deck
Bed: 4
Bath: 2
Available: June, July & August
Asking: May 31 - September 8 $38,000
June $10,000
July $16,000
August $18,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-440

Ocean Beach Home Just a 1 Min. Walk From The Beach
Bed: 3
Bath: 2
Available: June & July
Asking: June $15,000
July $20,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-224r

Updated Ocean Beach Home W/ Great Outdoor Area
Bed: 3
Bath: 1.5
Sleeps: 8
Available: August 10-16, 24-30, and August 31-September 7
Rate: $5,500/wk.
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-192

Charming Ocean Beach Cottage Just a Minute Walk to the Beach!
Bed: 3
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 6
Available: June1-7, 8-14, 15-21, August 17-23, 24-30, and August 31-September 7.
Rates: $3,500-$5,000/wk.
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-230r

Completely Updated Ocean Beach Home W/ Pool & Steps From The Beach!
Bed: 4
Bath: 2.5
Sleeps: 10
Available: June 8-15⁠, June 22-28⁠, June 29-July 5, July 20-July 26
Rates: $6,500-$10,500
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-109r

Extremely Spacious Ocean Beach Home W/ a Pool
Bed: 4
Bath: 3
Sleeps: 8
Available: June 29-July 5, August 17-23, August 24-30, August 31-September 7
Rates: $10,450-$13,750
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-748

Seaview Home Close to the Beach W/ 3 Decks!
Bed: 3
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 9
Available: June 1-7, 8-14, July 20-26, August 17-23
Rates: $5,750-$6,250
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/sv-38r

Charming and Centrally Located Ocean Beach Home
Bed: 3
Bath: 2.5
Sleeps: 8
Available: All of June. August 17-23, August 24-30, August 31-September 7.
Rates: $3,250-$4,500
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-35r

Seaview Home Just a Steps From The Beach!
Bed: 4
Bath: 1.5
Sleeps: 9
Available: August 10-16 & August 17-23
Rates: $5,500/week
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/sv-49r

Newly Updated Seaview Home Near Ocean Beach
Bed: 3
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 6
Available: June 1-21, June 29-July 12, July 20-August 16, August 24-Sept 13
Rates: $4,600
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/sv-stu

Luxury Oceanfront Home in Ocean Bay Park
Bed: 5
Bath: 2.5
Sleeps: 12-14
Available: July 3-9, July 17-August 6
Rates: $11,000-$12,500
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/obp-37r

Modern Ocean Bay Park Home W/ Ocean Views
Bed: 4
Bath: 2.5
Sleeps: 10
Available: June, August 3-9, August 17-30
Rates: $8,000-$10,500
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/obp-33o

Large Ocean Beach Home W/ Pool & Just 1 House Back From The Beach!
Bed: 4
Bath: 2.5
Sleeps: 10
Available: July 10 - 31
Rates: $12,500/week
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-560r

Bay & Ocean View Seaview Home
Bed: 4
Bath: 3
Sleeps: 8
Available May 23-June 13, June 28-July 18
Rates: $8,000-$9,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/sv-55r

Just Like New Ocean Beach Home W/ Large Deck
Bed: 4
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 6
Available July 5-12, July 19-26, August 9-23, August 30-Sept 7
Rates: $4,500/wk.
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-155r

Expansive Ocean Beach Home With Tons of Outdoor Space & Hot Tub
Bed: 3
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 6
Available: July & August
Rates: $6,000/wk.
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-969r

Ocean Beach Home W/ Lots of Outdoor Space & Close to the Beach
Bed: 4
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 8
Available: June 28-July 31
Rates: $6,000-$6,500/wk.
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-976r

Oceanfront Ocean Bay Park Home W/ Pool
Bed: 4
Bath: 4
Sleeps: 14
Available: July 10-16, July 31-August 6, August 24-Sept 3
Rates: $14,025/wk.
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/obp-36r

Completely Redone Ocean Bay Park Home
Bed: 4
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 9
Available: June 1-21, July 20-26, & August 17-23
Rates: $4,500-$5,000/wk.
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-507

Beautifully Renovated & Centrally Located Ocean Beach Home
Bed: 4
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 10
Available August
Rates: $5,900/wk.
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-761r

Huge Bayfront Seaview Home W/ Sauna & Separate Gym
Bed: 5
Bath: 4.5
Sleeps: 10
Available: May 29-June12
Rates: $18,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/sv-24

Well Maintained Ocean Bay Park W/ Guest Cottage
Bed: 3
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 8-10
Available: June
Rates: $8,900
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/obp-74r

Oceanfront Lonelyville Bungalow W/ Incredible Ocean Views
Bed: 3
Bath: 1.5
Sleeps: 6
Available: July & August
Rates: $28,000-$30,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/lly-70r

Renovated Ocean Beach Home W/ Pool & Hot Tub
Bed: 4
Bath: 2
Sleeps: 10
Available: June 29-July 5, July 13-26, August 17-Labor Day
Rates: $9,000-$14,000
www.fireislandrealestate.com/property/ob-119r

Please feel free to reach out to our Rental Agents, Alyssa & Dylan, for any questions or concerns you may have. Be sure to check out more rentals here!
*Available dates are always changing. We will update these dates when the information becomes available to us.

We know that these are uncertain times so we will do the best we can to answer any questions regarding coronavirus and Fire Island.

1. Are the ferries running?
Yes, the ferries are currently running. Be sure to check their website as they have been updated their schedules. 

2. Are the beaches closed?
As per New York State executive order, beaches are currently open for "passive use" which means no swimming, no organized sports, or use of public restrooms. You can sit on the beach and must follow social distancing protocols. As of now, lifeguards are expected to be in place.

3. What precautions are the ferries taking to ensure safety for all riders?
The Fire Island Ferries are diligently cleaning the ferries, limiting freight for more seating to social distance, changing the schedules, and requiring you to wear a face mask while aboard. They are also asking that anyone who is sick to NOT get on the ferry. For more updates be sure to follow their social media and check their website. 

4. Are all booked rentals cancelled?
There are currently no special restrictions in place for rentals during the summer. However, all renters are encouraged to pay special attention to social distancing regulations. We will post any future updates to regulations, should there be any.

5. Are restaurants closed?
*As of right now, restaurants are scheduled to allow outdoor dining starting on June 10th*
There are plenty of restaurants on Fire Island that are fulfilling delivery and pick up orders. Here is a list of restaurants that are open for pick up or delivery:
- Castaway Bar & Grill, Ocean Beach
- CJ's, Ocean Beach
- Dockside Brick Oven Pizza, Ocean Beach
- Maguire's, Ocean Beach
- Rachel's Bakery, Ocean Beach
- Scoops, Ocean Beach
- Seaview Market, Seaview
- Schooner Inn, Ocean Bay Park
- Surf's Out, Kismet
- Town Pizza, Ocean Beach

6. Are the markets open?
*The markets are starting to let limited amount of people in starting this weekend of 6/5.*
Yes, the markets are also taking pick up orders. Here are the markets we know that are open and will update if we hear more information:
- Ocean Beach Trading, Ocean Beach: Offering curbside pick up and they will bring your order out to you. Open 7:30am-4pm. 631-583-8440
- The Pantry, Ocean Beach: Will be open Mon.-Fri. 8-3 & Sat.-Sun 10-3. Ask them what they have available. They are currently working on a getting a website up and running to fulfill orders. Check back for more updates. 631-583-7467.
- Seaview Market, Seaview: Will be accepting phone orders at 631-583-8482 and will schedule a time for you to stop by and pick up your order outside the store. They are also giving the option to give them a shopping list and stop by the store to pick up your groceries. Open everyday from 7:30 am till about 2 pm.
- Dockside, Ocean Beach: Staying fully stocked with all the essentials needed during this time. Offering an easy call in feature for people to come pick up their goods. 631-583-0303
- Kismet Market, Kismet: Taking orders over the phone or safely at the front doors. Place your orders by calling 631-583-8449. 

7. I own a house on Fire Island, am I still able to access it?
There are no legal restrictions preventing you from accessing your home. Local officials are recommending that anyone coming to the island, and intending to stay, should self quarantine for 14 days. Some communities have requested notification if you plan to stay at your Fire Island home. I.e. Seaview - notify the association, Ocean Beach - notify the police

8. Have there been any confirmed COVID cases on Fire Island?
As of April 30, there is one confirmed case in Saltaire.

9. Are you still taking rentals for this summer?
Yes, rentals are still available. Please feel free to check out the available rentals on our website or feel free to contact our rental agents, Alyssa O'Keefe and Dylan Owens.

10. Am I still able to see homes for sale or for rent?
As of right now, we are allowed to do virtual showings only until Suffolk County enters Phase 2 of reopening. We would be happy to walk you through any of our listings via FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, etc. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in seeing a home! Or check out our IGTV channel or our Youtube channel to view our listing videos.

11. Are any of the shops open?
Starting this weekend 6/5, shops are letting limited people in at a time
Here is a list of the shops that we know are open but are taking orders:
- Flair House, Ocean Beach: Check out their website to see what's in stock and call or text them to place an order. They are now offering curbside pick up.
- Fire Island Outfitters, Ocean Beach: Opening their doors when Phase 2 begins.
- Salty Stitch, Ocean Beach: Opening their doors when Phase 2 begins.
- FiveEightThree/Bambootique, Ocean Beach: Opening their doors when Phase 2 begins.