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!

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.

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.

These concepts illustrate a proposed concept and should be verified by an architect.

Just because summer is over doesn't mean your trips to Fire Island should be! As the temperature begins to cool and the crowds lessen, there's still opportunities for you to enjoy Fire Island. Although ferry service is limited, this is actually one of the best times to explore beautiful Fire Island.

 

Fire Island's Sunken Forest is a rare ecological community. The fall season is a great time of year to discover this area! Walk along the boardwalk to take in the gorgeous views! Many visitors describe it as quite a unique experience. Take yourself on a walk or go on a guided tour. Take in the beautiful changing colors of the leaves in the fall months! You can visit this hidden gem by taking the Sayville ferry service to Sailors Haven.

 

While storefronts in Ocean Beach are getting ready to close up shop for the winter, they will still be open for limited hours during week and open on the weekends. This means there's still some time for shopping! Visit Salty Stitch, Five Eight Three, Bambootique, Flair House, Klines, or Fire Island Outfitters to stock up on outfits for next summer or for some new Fire Island gear! Plus there's usually some sales this time of year! BONUS: less crowds = more for you!

 

Finally, you can't come to Fire Island without visiting the Fire Island Lighthouse. The Fire Island Lighthouse hosts tons of events that are educational and history-filled as well as guided tours where you can get the chance to see the beautiful views of Fire Island.