So you fancy cityfolk have been way too busy running the world to have looked at Curbed Hamptons since Labor Day, and now you want an update on what's been going on out here. Fine. We're not a bit hurt. (All right, maybe a little.) All this week, we'll tell you what you need to know before you board that Jitney on Friday afternoon.
Back in October we had a bit of bother called Superstorm Sandy. While you were back in your city apartment drinking champagne out of crystal skulls, we were desperately trying to bail out the Hamptons.
Luckily, the Hamptons weren't hit as hard as other areas. We only lost one house, and although the beaches were badly eroded, we've put sand back on many of them. Except for Ditch Plains, which is still more like a lunar landscape than a beach. As soon as we can find some extra sand around here somewhere, and stop bickering about who is to pay for it, maybe we'll re-sand Ditch. Most beaches should look beautiful, though, as usual.
Sandy didn't have much effect on real estate sales. There was a flurry of high-end sales at the close of 2012, which led to a record high for home prices. Rich folks were concerned about possible tax increases after the first of the year. Despite pocketing $15 million on his deal, perpetual complainer Jerry Della Femina was one of these sellers, telling the New York Post, "I don't want my money going to Obama, and that's what's going to happen in the New Year. That's why I sold right now, that's why I wanted to get this done."
· Advertising guru blames Obama's 'class warfare' for Hamptons mansion sale [NY Post]
· All previous coverage of Superstorm Sandy [Curbed Hamptons]