Summer rentals moving fast on the North Fork

While it may not feel like summer quite yet, out-of-towners have summer vacation on their minds and have been booking North Fork summer rentals since snow was still on the ground.

According to local real estate agents, summer rentals on the North Fork are a hot commodity this season and the inventory is going fast.

Summer rentals are so popular this season that Kristen Rishe, of North Fork Real Estate, said there have been several bidding wars over summer rental listings – especially ones that include pools.

“After a brutal winter, people are thinking about summer,” said Rishe.

But she doesn’t believe that the weather isn’t the only reason why vacationers are looking to flock to the North Fork this summer.

“There has been a rediscovery of the North Fork,” she said. “People love the low-key lifestyle and realize this area is beautiful with its vineyards, farms and seafood.”

The North Fork is also popular, she said because of its proximaty to New York City.

“People can still go home to work if they need to,” she said, noting that summer home renters are opting to rent not just for a month as they have in the past, but instead are opting to rent for the entire summer.

Jerry Cibulski, an agent at Century 21 Albertson, said that he too has found a similar trend in rentals this season.

“They are choosing to stay not just Memorial Day to Labor Day, but I have clients extending past that into September and October to take advantage of the wine harvest, festivals and the other features of the North Fork.”

Cibulski, like Rishe, believes that the popularity of the North Fork comes as a rediscovery of the area as the downward spiral of the economy in recent years forced many New Yorkers to find vacation spots closer to home.

“They found value and a quality of life style here,” said Cibulski, adding, “And they find the music in our parks comforting for their families as opposed to the Jersey Shore, which has become over developed.”

The food of the North Fork has also been driving vacationers to the area.

“The North Fork is becoming a foodie destination,” he said.

To make sure they get a piece of the North Fork this summer, Cibulski said that clients are booking earlier in the year and many even re-booking at the end of last summer.

“We are becoming very limited on rentals,” said Cibulski

Valerie Goode at Colony Realty said she his also seeing a similar trend and many of her agency’s clients re-booked before they left at the end of last summer.

“We are seeing a lot of repeat renters,” she said.

For those still looking for a summer rental, agents said they do have some still available, but said they will go fast and recommend booking sooner rather than later.

On the market with North Fork Real Estate Agency, is a four-bedroom home at 235 Lilac Lane in Cutchogue for $20,000 for Memorial Day through Labor Day; a three-bedroom at 1450 Broadwaters Road in Cutchogue is available for $20,000 for the month of August; and for $15,000, a rental at 1373 Peconic Bay Boulevard that features four bedrooms and three baths is available for the month of August, among a few others.
Albertson Realty is featuring a four-bedroom, two-bath rental in Greenport for $28,000/ season and a four-bedroom, three-bath ranch in Aquebogue for $19,000/season.
Colony Realty meanwhile, is featuring a $6,000 a month Riverhead home that features four bedrooms and two baths; an Orient home for $5,000 a month, which features three-bedroom and three baths; and a two-bedroom Riverhead condo for $1,950 a month.

Editor’s Note: This article has been amended to reflect a correction in the rental terms of the seasonal rental offerings mentioned.