The "Center" of Shelter Island

Shelter Island suddenly seems a more bustling place now that we are into the first week of August, with the real estate market being no exception.

Between post move-in and move-out rental jockeying, cleanup work and scheduling appointments to show properties, a 24 hour day seems barely adequate. 

Last week, there were two notable closings, both properties that had been on the market for an extended period of time:

- A 2-bedroom, 1-bath 1960s saltbox on approximately .25 acres bordering the Shelter Island School field that had been on and off the market for several years, was last offered at $450K, sold and closed on 7/30/13 for $445K.

- A 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath arts & crafts bungalow on .62 acre with pool, pool house and organic gardens that had been listed for $1.145M in 2/11, was last offered at $925K, sold and closed on 8/1/13 for $850K.

Coincidentally, both homes were located in the "center" of Shelter Island, within close proximity to the school and playground, post office, town buildings, library, police and fire station, courthouse, restaurants, convenience stores and eateries.  In recent years, the center has become more popular with home buyers – vacationers, second home buyers and year-round residents.  Those with children seem to enjoy the services in the center for young ones. Its tree-lined streets are ideal for lulling a baby in a stroller to sleep. Hampshire Farms, which is also listed for sale, offers excellent equestrian activities and the recently renovated library has wonderful programs, with Wades, Crescent and Hay beaches not too far away.

Several new businesses have brought additional amenities as well. Black Cat Books, whose owners I met when they had a shop in Sag Harbor and to whom I sold a home in a business zone on Route 114, has a thriving book shop. Table of Content, Maria's Kitchen, Schmidt's and the IGA (which is under new ownership) are among others who have "added flavor." The Shelter Island Bucks play baseball near the school on one of the sharpest collegiate baseball fields on the East End of Long Island.  

One by one, old farmhouses in the center are being lovingly restored. At the present time, there are excellent historic farmhouses in the Center listed for sale. These offer incredible value when compared to similar vintage homes in Sag Harbor, for instance. For those looking to build, there are pastoral vacant lots available for sale as well.

Our company, Saunders & Associates, holds weekly meetings where newly listed, in-contract and sold homes are discussed and viewed in a slideshow on a 60" flat screen.  Shelter Island continues to offer properties with similar historical merit in country-like surroundings at a fraction of the prices of the South Fork. Each year Shelter Island is discovered by more people who are accustomed to spending summers in the Hamptons, so now is the perfect time to invest in properties here on the island.

Penelope Moore - 631-749-5801 / 917-208-5519 / info@penelope-moore.com / www.shelterislandnyhomes.com