Finding a family compound

The holidays are approaching. Everyone's coming. The kids, grandkids, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles. Where to put them? And don't say the zoo.

Extended families often have trouble getting together in a setting where they can visit yet maintain enough privacy to not get on each other's nerves. Finding a capacious gathering spot -- a family estate, retreat, whatever you call it -- is still possible on Long Island. But such places don't come on the market every day.

"They are fleeting," says Todd Romano, an agent with Hampton Estates Realty who is selling a two-acre domain with two homes and a garage in Quogue. "There are not many left, so finding one now at a decent price is an upside."

Multiple homes on one property in more populated Nassau County is, indeed, a rarity. Chances are better at finding a family gathering place in Suffolk County, which has more available land. But there are competing factors there, too.

"You can find things like this once in a while -- if a vineyard doesn't buy it first," says Barbara Molinari-Meyer with The Corcoran Group.

The Jamesport property she is selling has three separate structures that can accommodate kinfolk or out-of-town friends.

"You put your guests out there and don't have to tend to them so much," she says. "Or, if you have older children, you could put them and their kids there."

Most of the properties here were "grandfathered in" -- that is, built before present-day zoning requirements were enacted. So, the living/rental arrangements are legal as long as the property is maintained with the same usage, says Mitchell Pally, chief executive of the Long Island Builders Institute, an association of building industry professionals. Anyone hoping to create a new family gathering spot should check local zoning laws, since they vary among municipalities, he says.

Often, people in or approaching retirement years are the ones looking for situations like this, says Rand Soellner, a North Carolina architect who builds multi-home properties throughout the United States.

"A lot of what drives them is that there is no family-owned single place that can accommodate everybody in the clan," he says. "They want a place to start new remembrances and stay in touch with each other."

Sounds great. Or, not.

"You don't want people to get too comfortable," says Barbara Molinari-Meyer. "Your mother-in-law might want to live there."

Westhampton Beach, $3.8 million

LOCATION 8 Stevens Lane

LISTING HISTORY On the market since August with one price change

ANNUAL TAXES $11,745

FAMILY ROOM There are three structures on this one-acre property marked by English garden landscaping. On the grounds are a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. The beach and village are within walking distance.

WHAT'S FOR SALE A traditional Colonial built in the 1920s, the main house has three bedrooms, 2½ baths, an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room, a den with a fireplace and a living room with a fireplace. The house behind it has a large open area with a cathedral ceiling that serves as a bedroom. It has a fireplace and a full bathroom. The rear two-story home has an upstairs and downstairs bedroom and a full bathroom.

LISTING AGENT Allen Piliero, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-288-6244 or cell 631-335-1996

Lloyd Harbor, $2.975 million

LOCATION 16 Dock Hollow Rd.

LISTING HISTORY It has been on the market seven months. It had been listed previously for a year.

ANNUAL TAXES $62,384

FAMILY ROOM This property is made up of a renovated summer home connected to a larger main home by a sunroom on four acres. There is also a pool and a guesthouse. The main home and guest-wing home are virtually separate areas. "That includes everything from basements to alarm systems," says broker-owner James Rendall.

WHAT'S FOR SALE The main house is a five-bedroom, 4½-bath Colonial with an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room, a large family room, a living room and a study. It has four fireplaces, a built-in wet bar, a full basement and a four-car garage. Outside is a large redwood deck, a brick patio and an in-ground pool.

The guest-wing home is a four-bedroom, 2½-bath Colonial with an eat-in kitchen, a dining room, a living room, a fireplace, a basement and a two-car garage. In addition, there is a heated pool and guesthouse with a bedroom, 2½ baths, a kitchen and a living area. The property has beach rights.

LISTING AGENT James Rendall, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-549-4400 or cell at 631-897-1836

Quogue, $1.299 million

LOCATION 103 Montauk Hwy.

LISTING HISTORY On the market since April with one price reduction

ANNUAL TAXES $4,021

FAMILY ROOM There are two homes and a garage on this two-acre property. One of the acres is cleared and located in the rear of the compound.

WHAT'S FOR SALE The main home is a three-bedroom, two-bath Cape with an eat-in kitchen, a cathedral ceiling and a partial basement. The second home is a five-bedroom, 3½-bath Victorian with maid's quarters, an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room and a fireplace. The caretaker's garage has room for two cars and also has an extended work space in back.

LISTING AGENT Todd Romano, Hampton Estates Realty, 631-288-6333

Southampton, $1.195 million

LOCATION 39 Cedar Dr.

LISTING HISTORY On the market a year with one price change

ANNUAL TAXES $12,250

FAMILY ROOM This 1¼-acre property contains three structures and is close to the beach. The main house was a former carriage house. The guesthouse was a combination hay barn and corn crib. Both were moved from Water Mill in the 1950s and renovated by the previous owners. There is also an artist's studio above the garage.

WHAT'S FOR SALE The main house has two wings, each with its own bedroom and bath. It has a kitchen and dining room and an open entertainment area with hand-carved beams and a fireplace. The guesthouse also has two wings; they are connected by a deck. The south wing has one bedroom and 1½ baths, a galley kitchen and a dining area with a large living room. The north wing has a large living room, a library and a full bath that needs renovation. The large detached garage has an artist studio above it.

LISTING AGENT David Donohue, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-204-2715 or cell 516-650-4419

Jamesport, $459,000

LOCATION 91 Washington Ave.

LISTING HISTORY It was put up for sale four years ago and then removed. It was re-listed four months ago with one price change.

ANNUAL TAXES $5,930

FAMILY ROOM This property has three structures on a third of an acre blocks from a beach.

WHAT'S FOR SALE The main home, a circa 1840s Cape, has three bedrooms, one bath, a sunken living room, an eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room and both a fireplace and an antique wood stove. The nearby guest quarters, which are attached to a two-car garage, have one bedroom, a large living room and a full bath. The artist studio-cottage in the rear of the property is a renovated barn with one bedroom, a living room and a full bath.

LISTING AGENT Barbara Molinari-Meyer, The Corcoran Group, 631-765-1300 or cell at 631-875-3673