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.
- Cleaning: Give the whole space a deep clean before the rental season begins!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
- 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.
- Permits: Make sure rental permits and the BBQ permit are filed
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
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.
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 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
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
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!
Prepared By: Abigail Medvin Mago, Licensed Associate Broker
February 28, 2020
ISLAND WIDE DATA
Coming off of 2018’s record performance in terms of average and median sale prices, the 2019 Fire Island real estate market saw a moderate slow down. While the island wide average and median sale prices decreased year over year, transaction volume was up 6% year over year, suggesting continued market strength despite the average and median price declines. The average sale price island wide declined from 2018’s all-time high of $907,042 to $804,441 in 2019, representing an 11% year over year decline. To provide some historical context, the average sale price over the last 14 years has been $778,050, which is 3% lower than 2019’s average.
While the average sale price did decrease from 2018 to 2019, the number of homes sold increased by 9%. 145 Fire Island homes were sold in 2019, as compared to 133 in 2018. Over the last 14 years, on average 105 homes have changed hands in a given year. With 145 transactions in 2019, that represents transaction volume of 38% greater than average. Since I began data collection in 2006, only 2016 and 2017 saw a larger number of transactions than 2019, with 157 and 147 sales taking place, respectively.
The lowest priced Fire Island property sold in 2019 was $150,000, as compared to 2018’s lowest priced sale of $100,000. The most expensive property sold in 2019 traded for $2,200,000, which is 42% lower than the most expensive sale closed in 2018 of $3,800,000, and 15% lower than the 14-year average high price paid of $2,596,643. While it should be noted that 2018’s $3,800,000 sale was of a commercial property, not a residence, the high end of the market was significantly less active in 2019 than is commonly seen, with only 6 sales occurring above the $1.5M mark, and only 2 of which breaking the $2M mark. By comparison, in 2018 15 sales occurring at or above the $1.5 million mark and 7 sales occurring at or above the $2 million mark.
An additional indicator of stronger market activity in the middle segment rather than the high end can be seen when comparing the average and median sales prices. The median sale price in 2019 was $750,000, a 2% year over year decrease from 2018’s median sale price of $765,000. 2019’s average sale price was 7% higher than its median sale price, while 2018’s average sale price was 16% higher than its median sale price. In 2017, a year which also saw unusually little activity at the high end of the market, the average sale price was only 6% higher than the median sale price. The higher the average sale price relative to the median sale price, the greater the activity at the high end of the market, causing the average to skew upwards. The graph below compares the average and median sale prices from 2016 – 2019.
To put the 2019 market data into perspective, it is helpful to look at sales figures relative to the entire period of data collection in addition to comparing to the previous year’s performance.
PRICE SEGMENT ANALYSIS
The 2019 market was largely driven by the middle segment of the market, with more than a third of the year’s total sales occurring in the $750,000 - $1,000,000 price bracket. Because the total market size is relatively small, outlier high end sales can have a relatively large influence on the average sale prices, making the average metric not the best indicator of market performance. When breaking down each year’s sales into price segments, some interesting trends can be observed. The chart below shows sale count by year, broken down by $500,000 sale price increments.
The proportion of home sales under $500,000 has been steadily decreasing since 2013 when it topped out at 42% after Hurricane Sandy. In 2019, only 12% of homes sold at a price below $500,0000. Since 2006, the under $500k price segment has represented, on average, 24% of sales. The vast majority of 2019 home sales fell in the $500,000 - $1 million price segment, representing 72% of sales, as compared to 62% in 2018 and an average proportion of 58%. 12% of homes sold were between $1 million and $1.5 million, which was the same in 2018, and slightly above the average proportion of 11% of sales. 3% of 2019 sales were between $1.5M and $2M, which is just under the typical average of 4%. Only 1% of sales were in the $2M - $2.5M price segment, whereas typically 2% of sales fall into that segment.
TOWN BY TOWN ANALYSIS
In addition to looking at the island’s overall market performance, it is useful to examine the data on a town by town basis.
ATLANTIQUE
Atlantique saw no sales activity in 2019. A small community, Atlantique usually sees 1 sale per year. The average sale price over the past 12 years in Atlantique is $589,323.
CHERRY GROVE
Cherry Grove saw weaker market performance in 2019, with 10 homes trading, as compared to 16 homes in 2018 and a historical average of 13 per year. The average Cherry Grove sale price in 2019 was $485,000, which was down 23% from $628,933 in 2018, and down 9% from the 13-year average sale price of $535,573. The least expensive Cherry Grove property to trade in 2019 was $150,000, down 55% from 2018’s lowest price of $335,000.
CORNEILLE ESTATES
Corneille Estates saw a dramatic increase in activity in 2019, with 5 homes trading, whereas 2 sales per year is average for the community. While number of transactions was up 150%, the average sale price declined significantly year over year. The 2019 average sale price was $846,950 which is 26% lower than 2018’s average sale price of $1,142,000, but still 14% higher than the last 14 year’s average sale price of $739,890. 2019’s lowest price Corneille Estates sale of $644,200 was 36% lower than 2018’s lowest price sale of $999,000. The highest price paid for a Corneille Estates home in 2019 was $983,000, down 24% from 2018’s high price of $1,285,000, but still 24% higher than the 14-year average high price of $794,654.
DAVIS PARK
Ten sales took place in Davis Park in 2019, which was down from 2018’s record high of 16, but still 67% higher than the average year which sees only 6 sales. The average sale price dipped by 7% from $588,725 in 2018 to $546,980 in 2019, but was still 5% higher than an average year. The highest price paid for a home in Davis Park in 2019 was $999,000 which was an 18% decrease over the previous year, but still 28% higher than the average highest price paid in the last 14 years.
DUNEWOOD
Dunewood had 2 home sales in 2019, which is typical for the community, but down from 3 sales in 2018. The average sale price in 2019 was $1,245,000 which is 26% lower than 2018’s average sale price of $1,678,335, but still 42% higher than the 14-year average of $879,685. The highest price paid for a home in Dunewood in 2019 was $1,550,000 which is 39% higher than the 14-year average high price paid of $1,116,667.
FAIR HARBOR
Fair Harbor had 13 sales in 2019, which is down slightly from 2018’s 14 sales but still 44% higher than the 14-year average of 9 sales per year. The average sale price was down 22% year over year, to $724,869 in 2019 from $926,946 in 2018, but still 6% above the historical average sale price of $682,318. The highest price paid in Fair Harbor in 2019 was $1,300,000, which is 35% lower than the highest price paid in 2018 but still 15% higher than the highest price paid in an average year. The lowest price paid in Fair Harbor in 2019 of $510,000 is 3% lower than the lowest price paid in Fair Harbor in 2018 of $525,000.
FIRE ISLAND PINES
The Pines saw 25 sales in 2019, down from 29 homes sold in 2018. An average year sees 20 Pines homes trade hands. The average sale price declined 15% from $1,008,792 in 2018 to $858,202 in 2019, which is 14% lower than the historical average of $1,002,166. The highest price paid in the Pines in 2019 was $2,200,000, which was tied with a sale in Ocean Bay Park for the most expensive home sale on the island in 2019. This figure is down from $2,485,018 in 2018, and 3% less than the 14-year average high sale price of $2,257,894.
KISMET
Kismet saw market improvement from 2018 to 2019 with 7 home sales in 2019 as compared to 4 in 2018. The historic average for the community is 5 sales per year. The average sale price also increased by 3%, from $671,250 in 2018 to $688,500 in 2019. The lowest price paid for a Kismet home was 81% higher in 2019 than in 2018, and 39% higher than in an average year. The highest price paid in Kismet in 2019 was $900,000 which is a 10% decline from 2018’s high price paid of $995,000.
LONELYVILLE
Lonelyville saw no market activity in 2019, with no homes trading hands. A small community, on average over the last 14 years, only 1 home sells per year. Lonelyville’s 14-year average sale price is $748,198.
OCEAN BAY PARK
Ocean Bay Park saw a dramatic increase in transaction volume, with 19 sales taking place in 2019, as compared to 10 in 2018, and 8 in a typical year. While sale count was way up, the average sale price did decline by 15% from 2018’s record high of $973,745 to $827,907 in 2019. Despite the year over year drop, 2019’s average sale price is still 46% above the average sale price over the last 14 years, which is $565,194. The lowest price paid for an Ocean Bay Park home in 2019 was $500,000, down 9% from 2018’s lowest price paid of $550,000, but still 76% higher than the average lowest price paid over the last 14 years of $283,607. The highest price paid for a home in Ocean Bay Park in 2019 was $2,200,000 which, tied with another $2.2M sale in the Fire Island Pines, was the priciest sale of the year, island-wide, as well as the highest price paid in Ocean Bay Park to date. This is 10% higher than 2018’s high price paid of $2,000,000, (which was the previous record high sale for Ocean Bay Park) and 110% higher than the 14-year average high price paid of $1,046,714.
OCEAN BEACH
Ocean Beach transaction volume was strong in 2019 with 26 homes trading, up 24% from 21 sales in 2018. Over the last 14 years, an average of 21 homes change hands in a given year, making 2019’s sale count 25% greater than is typical. While sale count was up 24% year over year, the average sale price declined by 9%, from $894,230 in 2018 to $809,908 in 2019, which is 18% higher than the historical average sale price of $686,510. The highest price paid in Ocean Beach in 2019 was $1,730,000, which is a record for residential property in Ocean Beach. In 2018, the most expensive property to sell was a $3,800,000 commercial property. The highest price paid for an Ocean Beach residence in 2018 was $1,185,000, representing a 46% year over year increase in the highest price paid for a residence. The lowest price paid for an Ocean Beach home in 2019 was $375,000, down 3% from 2018’s low price of $385,000.
ROBBINS REST
After no home sales in 2018, one home changed hands in Robbins Rest in 2019 which is typical for the small community. 2019’s average sale price was $985,000, up 26% from the historic average sale price of $782,204.
SALTAIRE
Coming off of an extremely weak year in 2018, the Saltaire market improved both in terms of sale count and average sale price. Sale count was up 150% year over year, from 2 sales in 2018 to 5 in 2019. Traditionally considered one of the most desirable communities on Fire Island, Saltaire usually sees 10 homes trade a year with some of the highest price points island wide. The average sale price was up 37% from $775,250 in 2018 to $1,065,000 in 2019.
The lowest price paid for a Saltaire property in 2019 was $500,000, which was 22% lower than the 2018 low price paid of $645,000, and 11% higher than the 14-year average low price. The highest price paid was up 55% from only $905,500 in 2018 to $1,400,000 in 2019, which is 24% below the 14-year average high price paid of $1,838,500.
SEAVIEW
17 homes changed hands in Seaview in 2019, which is a 55% increase over 2018’s 11 sales and 70% more than the 14-year average sale count of 10. Despite the spike in transaction volume, the average sale price declined by 12% from $1,081,591 in 2018 to $947,309 in 2019, which is 9% below the 14-year historical average of $1,037,795.
The lowest price paid in Seaview in 2019 was $531,248 which is 26% less than 2018’s low price of $715,000, and 6% below the historical average low price of $564,196. The highest price paid in Seaview in 2019 was $1,400,000, down 41% from 2018’s high price of $2,372,500. The 14-year average high price paid in Seaview is $1,955,464, which is 28% higher than 2019’s high price paid.
SUMMER CLUB
Sales count doubled in the Summer Club from 2 sales in 2018 to 4 sales in 2019. An average year sees 3 homes change hands in the small community. 2019’s average Summer Club sale price was $849,875, which is a 24% decline from 2018’s average sale price of $1,123,750, but 9% higher than the historical average sale price of $779,219. The lowest price paid in the Summer Club in 2019 was $550,000 as compared to $1,100,000, in 2018, although it should be noted that the 2019 sale was of vacant land. The highest price paid was up by 13% to $1,300,000, which is 31% higher than the 14-year average high price paid of $995,722.
WATER ISLAND
Only one home sold in Water Island in 2019, for a sale price of $1,300,000. 2018 also saw only one home sale in Water Island, at a price point of $1,500,000, representing a 13% year over year decrease, and a 3% premium over the 14-year average sales price of $1,267,042.
CONCLUSION
With both the average and median sale prices reaching record levels in 2018, the Fire Island real estate market saw prices leveling off in 2019. However, the increased number of transactions is indicative of the continued streak of strong performance that we’ve been experiencing since 2016. The market was largely driven by activity in the $750,000 - $1 million price point, which is a departure from 2018’s market dynamics being driven principally by the high end.
Because the Fire Island real estate market does not function like a traditional real estate market with a centralized multiple listing service, reliable market data is not readily available to the public. Our annual market reports are published in an effort to address that. Both buyers and sellers are served by being fully informed about the market in which they are considering transacting. Please do not hesitate to contact me at abigail@fireislandrealestate.com if I can provide any further information, or if I can be of help to you in the sale or purchase of your Fire Island home.
METHODOLOGY
Please note that all information herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The information is sourced from public real estate transaction records. Sales data reporting has a lag of approximately 90 days. Due to this lag, there may be some outstanding sales that closed late in 2019 but have not yet been reported and are therefore not reflected in this report. All historic data refers to the period between 2006 and 2019.
For those who will be renting or moving in to their beach house on Fire Island this summer, the Fire Island Ferries freight department will be extremely helpful in this process. There are many benefits that a credit card account with the freight department has. Read on for information directly from the Fire Island Ferries freight department that highlight their services that will be beneficial to use throughout your stay on Fire Island.
If you plan on ordering beverages or liquor from the mainland or plan on ordering items online to be delivered to the
dock, through the Fire Island Ferries freight department, visit https://fireislandfreight.azurewebsites.net/ and set up an account with them that you can add a credit card to. This will make the pick-up of these items go a bit more smoothly and, for some towns, prevent the chance of the boat bringing these items back to Bay Shore if you are not on the dock to pay the freight
charge when the boat is in town.
If ordering items online, please use the following format when filling in the shipping address:
Name: Your first AND last name
Address 1: 99 Maple Avenue
Address 2: Fire Island town AND your freight account number
Town: Bay Shore
State: NY
Zip: 11706
The account that you set up will also send a notification the morning that your freight is being shipped (usually around
10:00 am) to the email address on file, allow you to see a history of your shipments and track the freight boat via a
twitter link.
If you are dropping off items yourself, please have everything pre-labelled with your name and destination, packed in a
container (box, tote, cooler, luggage, etc.) and/or protected, if fragile.
For same day delivery, have your items to the freight boat from 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM Monday – Saturday. These times and
days are for mid-April through mid-September. Otherwise, they only accept items Monday – Friday. The freight boat
leaves at 10:00 AM. To locate the freight boat, drive to the end of Maple Avenue (big parking lot), pull into the middle
parking spots and ask a crew member (red shirt) for help.
For next day delivery, you can bring your items to the Bay Shore freight house located in the Fire Island Ferries, Inc. main
terminal (99 Maple Ave., Bay Shore, NY 11706) between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday – Friday. These hours are
during the summer schedule. In the off season, the crew is only at the Bay Shore freight house until 3:30 PM.
Any questions needing more detailed answers please either check their website www.fireislandferries.com and click the
FREIGHT INFO tab on the right side of the screen, email them at freight@fireislandferries.com or call 631.647.3055.
We hope this information helps you become more familiar with the Fire Island Ferries freight department procedures. Looking forward to seeing you this summer!
It’s no secret that things do slow down a bit during the winter months when it comes to real estate on Fire Island. However, if you're a buyer, that’s not a bad thing. While you may have to break out your ski gear to make sure you're adequately bundled up for your house tours, here are some reasons why it's worth it to trek out to Fire Island to snap up your dream beach house this winter:
- Less Competition
During the holiday season, and throughout the winter months, most people just don't have summer on their minds yet, so that makes for fewer other buyers to compete with. Once spring hits and temperatures start to rise, our office is flooded with calls, so why not get a head start? Since there is less buyer activity in the dead of Winter if you choose to look now, you'll have less competition from other buyers, and the seller may be more receptive to your offer at that time.
- Motivated Sellers
Many sellers tend to be more motivated during the Winter months than they are during the Spring and Summer. During the off season, they're not getting use out of their property, but still have to pay the carrying costs on the home, which may make it a little easier for them to part with. Also, if the property is rented out during the Summer, the seller may view that income as a long way away, whereas once Spring rolls around, they are likely less motivated to sell right before rental season.
- Low Interest Rates
Interest rates are still close to historic lows. The longer you wait, the greater the chances that rates will rise. These low rates may very well last through the Spring, but you just never know.
If you're among the savvy buyers looking capitalize on the advantages of shopping now, we're happy to help- we show by appointment 7 days a week, 12 months a year. Just remember to bundle up!
Once you've found the right Fire Island home for you and put the home under contract, the hard part is behind you, but there are a few important steps to take care of before you officially become a Fire Island homeowner. In this blog post, you’ll learn about what steps you should take in preparation for your closing as well as helpful contacts to have on hand. As the closing date for your beach house approaches, make sure to take care of the following items.
Before closing on the purchase of your beach house, it is important to make sure you have proper insurance in place. It is typically most cost effective to assume the previous owner’s flood insurance policy. You should also take out a homeowner’s insurance policy. If you are purchasing the property with a mortgage, your lender will require you to provide proof of coverage before they will issue clearance to close. If you intend to rent out the property, you should also consider purchasing separate liability coverage. Talk to your insurance broker about coverage options. Contact us if you need a recommendation for a good insurance broker who is experienced working with Fire Island properties.
In addition to making sure you have proper insurance coverage in place, you’ll need to change over the utility accounts and put them in your name. Here's a quick checklist of what do to in terms of the home's utilities:
1.) Electric: You’ll want to have a PSEGLI account to change over the day of your scheduled closing. PSEG can be reached at 631-490-0025.
2.) Water: If the home you're purchasing is in the Village of Ocean Beach, then your water is included in your Village taxes so you don't have to set up a separate account. If you're purchasing a home in Seaview, your water bill is included in your Seaview Association dues. If you're purchasing in other towns, call the Suffolk County Water Authority to set up your account. The SCWA can be reached at 631-698-9500.
3.) Television: There is no cable TV service to Fire Island. Television is provided via satellite by DirecTV or Dish Network. Both providers require the previous owner to return their boxes and equipment and will require you to schedule a new installation for your new account. You can contact Dish Network at 800-333-3474 or DirecTV at 800-531-5000.
4.) WiFi: WiFi internet access is available through Verizon Fios. If the seller has Fios, you should be able to use their current equipment and you’ll just need to call customer service to change the account to your name. If the house doesn't currently have Fios, you will need to schedule an appointment for a technician to come out to the property for a new installation. You can reach Verizon Fios at 800-837-4966.
It’s important to schedule a final walk through of the home prior to closing to ensure that the condition of the house is as expected. A walk through is typically scheduled within a few days of the closing to confirm there has been no damage to the house during the contract period.
As a Fire Island home owner, you will likely want to take advantage of the freight boat to ship over items to the island. The freight boat sends over everything from groceries, to bicycles, to furniture, to building materials. You can set up a Freight account online at: https://fireislandfreight.azurewebsites.net/
It is important that any items being shipped on the freight boat be labelled with your name and which town they should be sent over to, as well as the Ferries' address. For example:
Happy Homeowner- Ocean Beach Boat
c/o Fire Island Ferries
99 Maple Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11706
Bobby Beachgoer- Seaview Boat
c/o Fire Island Ferries
99 Maple Avenue
Bay Shore, NY 11706
If your delivery is received by the ferries before 9:30 AM, it will go over to Fire Island on the same day. If it arrives at the Bay Shore ferry terminal after 9:30, it will be sent over the following day. You should make arrangements to pick up your items upon arrival. If you are shipping over large items, like furniture or building materials, that a contractor or carting company is picking up on your behalf, make sure to let them know when the expected arrival is. You can even track the freight boat by following the Fire Island Ferries' Freight account on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FIFreight
Congratulations on your home purchase and we're delighted to welcome you to this very special community. This is an exciting time and we are happy to help in any way we can. Don't hesitate to ask us for any recommendations service providers and vendors that offer delivery service to the Bay Shore Fire Island Ferries. Welcome Home!
Helpful contacts to have on hand:
Fire Island Ferries
fireislandferries.com
99 Maple Ave., Bay Shore, NY 11706
Main Terminal: 631-665-3600; 631-666-3600
West Terminal: 631-665-2115
info@fireislandferries.com
Freight Information
631-647-3055
freight@fireislandferries.com
Fire Island Water Taxi
631-665-8885
info@fireislandwatertaxi.com
Fire Island Real Estate Office
479 Bayview Walk, Ocean Beach, NY 11770
631-583-5100
info@fireislandrealestate.com
Incorporated Village of Ocean Beach
Village Offices
Bay & Cottage Walks
P.O. Box 457
Ocean Beach, NY 11770
631-583-5940
631-583-7597 fax
info@villageofoceanbeach.org
Seaview Association: 631-583-6212
Electric: PSEGLI - 631-490-0025
Water (Excluding Ocean Beach and Seaview Homes):
Suffolk County Water Authority: 631-698-9500
Television
DirecTV: 800-531-5000
Dish Network: 800-333-3474
WiFi
Verizon Fios: 800-837-4966
Electricians
Coastal Electric: 631-583-7425
Lighthouse Mechanical: 631-583-6500
Plumbers
LOVE the Plumber: 631-583-5612
Conrad's Plumbing: 631-583-5750
Lighthouse Mechanical: 631-583-6500
Fairy House Mother - Fire Island Home Concierge Service
917-968-1007
sabrina@fairyhousemother.com
fairyhousemother.com
Dreaming of customizing your perfect beach house? 692 Ocean Breeze Walk gives you that opportunity! There are endless possibilities at this family home in Ocean Beach. This spacious home, currently listed for $775,000, is an excellent example of a home that you can make your own. Ideally located, 692 Ocean Breeze is just 4 houses from the beach! The home is elevated with an upgraded foundation. Situated on a 50’ x 84’ lot, 692 Ocean Breeze Walk is the perfect opportunity to turn your dreams into reality.
With a large open living and dining area and a fully enclosed porch, 692 Ocean Breeze offer a lot of space to work with. We reimagined the first floor of this home, eliminating the storage room at the rear of the house to create a fabulous chef’s kitchen with large glass sliding doors to the deck. In our proposed floor plan, we demolished the wall where the current stove is to create ample storage space and a large island. By removing the walls to the kitchen to the left of the dining room, this offers a completely open first floor layout and great indoor/outdoor flow, making entertaining a breeze. By adding large glass sliding doors to the deck, the massive great room is flooded with light and seamless indoor/outdoor flow is acheived. You can see an illustration of this renovation idea below in the proposed 1st Floor Plan.
With 5 bedrooms, the second level of the home already offers plenty of bedroom space for your family and guests. The oversized bedroom occupying the entire front of the house presents the perfect opportunity to create a luxurious master suite, complete with a walk-in closet and a private en-suite bathroom. The proposed floor plans below illustrates how you could lay out a new master suite in the space, with just minor modifications to the existing space plan.
These are just a few ideas of how to maximize the features of this ideally located home. One of the best reasons to renovate a home is to get the opportunity to customize it to your exact needs, specifications, and tastes. It is also a great opportunity to build equity in a property, as well planned improvements can increase the property's value in excess of their cost.
This home is exclusively listed by Abigail Mago. For more, click here.
The Fire Island Lighthouse epitomizes the South Shore of Long Island. Known as the tallest lighthouse on Long Island, it offers something for everyone. Whether its maritime history, the beach, or nature, exploring the Fire Island Lighthouse is definitely a fun-filled experience!
The Fire Island Lighthouse is located at the most western point of Fire Island and can be accessed from Robert Moses Field 5. This excursion is known for its fun climb to the top as well as an extremely friendly and knowledgable staff. Take the 182 step tour of the tower and see the gorgeous panoramic view of the ocean, all of Fire Island, the bays and Long Island. If you're lucky, you'll be able to see the New York City skyline on a clear day!
There are many interesting facts about the Fire Island Lighthouse. Here are some of our favorites:
- The Fire Island Lighthouse sits at 168 feet tall and is visible for 24 miles
- It took 80,000 bricks to build the lighthouse
- Although the lighthouse tapers on the outside the inside is a constant 10 ½ feet in diameter
- There are 192 steps from the bottom to the top of the lighthouse
- The lighthouse flashes every 7.5 seconds
- The lighthouse was originally built at the western tip of Fire Island but is now 5 miles east of the tip due to the movement of sand over the years
Look back on the history of how the Lighthouse was taken care of when you take a look inside the demanding life of the Lighthouse Keepers and visit the interactive exhibits of the Keeper's Quarters. Tour guides will let you experience what the Lighthouse Keepers' daily routine is like. The museum and the lighthouse itself are charming structures that vividly bring the past into the present.
The Fire Island Lighthouse offers tons of events throughout the fall and winter, making it the perfect place to still get your Fire Island fix even in the post season.
There's so much to do and see at the Fire Island Lighthouse. Once you've explored all you could you can always head to the beach or take a short walk to Kismet. You won't want to miss out on this experience!
If you're looking to start your Halloween celebrations early then Ocean Beach is the place to be! Houser's will be hosting their Annual Halloween Costume Party on October 12th and CJs is putting on their Halloween Party the following weekend on October 18th. Both restaurant/bars will be sure to put on a great party offering fun for everyone!
If you're going to CJ's, party-goers can enjoy a free buffet and happy hour "shocktails" from 7:00-9:00 p.m. as well as Monster Drink Specials for the whole night. Make sure you dress to impress! There will be a costume contest that includes cash prizes! $500 cash for the grand prize, $150 for the runner up, and $100 CJs gift card for 3rd place.
Want to keep the party going after the last ferry? Check out what's available at The Palms Hotel or Houser's Hotel!
We hope everyone has a fun, safe, and spooktacular Halloween!
