Shelter Island Arts and Artists

The arts are always a big part of summer on the East End – interior design, music, performingarts, the written word and visual arts.  Recently, two fairs were held in Bridgehampton: ArtHamptons and artMRKT Hamptons. This past week, Shelter Island's own artists held a group show at the Historical ociety in an event called ArtSI In The Barn.

Shelter Island has been a long been a haven for creative people, including Simon Doonan, Jonathan Adler, John Chamberlain, Bill Persky, Robert Lipsyte, Itzhak Perlman, Julie Kavner, Leon Uris (whose former home is presently offered for sale), Lee Krasner, Alan Shields, Peter Vescey and Rory Kennedy, among others. In recent years, it seems as though more artists have been drawn to Shelter Island than ever before. The Boltax Gallery, whose space on North Ferry Road was recently rented by Bridgehampton National Bank, is one business which has drawn many artists who have eventually settled down on Shelter Island in the last decade.

Homes, like art, warm the heart and soul and are to be cherished. As the market continues to clear out real estate inventory dating to the recession, the summer has also brought home buyers to Shelter Island who are treasuring homes that have their own story to tell:

– A one-bedroom home on .75 acres with tall pines and a private environment, listed 8/08 for $1.395m, was repriced several times,finally in the high $600k's and sold 5/13 for$675k

– Two water view homes also recently sold:
The first, a 1.8 acre contemporary with pool, originally listed in 3/10 for $1.695m, last priced at $1.395m, and sold for $1.37m.
The other, a traditional with pool and four bedrooms, was listed in 9/11 for $1.649m, was repriced to $1.495m and sold 6/13 for$1.35m.

– An adorable ranch on nearly an acre near the beach was listed 9/10 for $599k, relisted at $579k and sold 7/13 for $509k.

– A sunny contemporary steps from the beach which had been a favorite of mine on the rental circuit was listed early Spring 2013 for$739k and sold quickly for $700k.

– A waterfront with deep water dock adjacent to cooperative housing was listed 6/10 for$7.5m, was repriced to $4.9m in 4/13 and sold in 5/13 to one of the first customers who had seen the property, for $4.3 m.

Rentals for the summer season continue, with many late planners seeking last minute discounts for the second part of July and for short term rentals, and negotiation is in the air. Traditionally, rentals were priced according to the landlord's listed price and there was little or no negotiation. Over the last four or so years, customers have begun to haggle over not only rental prices but also utilities. At this juncture in the season, there are also other types of negotiations, those which involve expectations that have not been fully realized due to events not within a landlord's control, e.g. air conditioning, pool heater or appliance break-downs and repairs. While trying to mediate is always a part of the seasoned real estate agent's tool kit, reason generally prevails.