Hamptons summer rental season comes early

The 2012 Hamptons rental market is moving briskly -- so briskly, in fact, that Presidents Day weekend, which in past years has been the traditional start of the season, will be more like the middle of the season.

"I was showing rentals as early as October 2011 for the 2012 summer season," says Patrick McLaughlin, manager and licensed broker associate at Prudential Douglas Elliman in Sag Harbor. "The people who started looking early were the ones who were here in 2011 and didn't get the house of their dreams. They realized that to get that they'd have to start looking early."

Of course, there will always be properties available for those who can afford to pay more or for those who are willing to make certain compromises. Mala Sander, senior vice president and associate broker at The Corcoran Group, says those who got a jump on the market are more likely to get what they want.

"Some people feel they may want to wait, but then the pickings are slim," says Sander. "There's always something, but do you want to find the thing?"

This year's prices so far are relatively stable compared with last year's, so there may be fewer bargains than there have been in years past, agents say. "I think people walked out on good houses last year," says Tony Cerio, associate broker at Brown Harris Stevens in Bridgehampton. "They waited and waited, and they thought the longer they waited, the more likely owners were to lower their prices." That didn't happen, another reason why returning renters are jumping in early.

Certainly, there are some rentals whose prices have gone up this year. Sandcastle, Hamptons builder Joe Farrell's extravagant estate, is asking $25,000 more a week this year than last year, bringing its price up to a whopping $550,000 for a two-week rental. The average summer rental costs about $55,000 to $60,000 for the season (many may be available for shorter periods of time).

Here is a sampling of rentals still available.

Sag Harbor $65,000

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Two-bedroom, two-bath cottage

AMENITIES This 900-square-foot house was built in 1929 and features a cathedral living room with a fireplace. Both the living room and dining room have views of the water. The main cottage includes one bedroom with a dressing area and bath, and there's a guesthouse on the property with its own bedroom, bath and sitting area.

ALSO The property has its own beach and dock.

CONTACT Cee Scott Brown, The Corcoran Group, 631-899-0119, ceebrown@corcoran.com

Southhampton Village $475,000

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Eight-bedroom, 6 1/2-bath traditional estate

AMENITIES This 8,500-square-foot house is filled with light and elegantly appointed. Featuring a double staircase and chandelier in the entrance hall, and a great room with a fireplace and double-height ceiling, the home also includes a gourmet kitchen and a finished basement.

ALSO The gated 2.23-acre estate comes with a heated gunite pool and a tennis court, and is close to all the village has to offer.

CONTACT Tony Cerio, Brown Harris Stevens, 631-903-6151, tcerio@bhshamptons.com

East Hampton $60,000

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Five-bedroom, six-bath newly constructed custom home

AMENITIES Big enough for two families, this sprawling house is about 3,800 square feet. It includes a six-person Jacuzzi off the main floor master bedroom, with an additional master suite, gym and separate entrance for staff or guests. There's also a heated gunite pool with an outdoor shower.

ALSO It's a short walk to Maidstone Beach and Three Mile Harbor and only five minutes away from Main Street and the ocean beaches.

CONTACT Qiana Stone, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 917-705-0550, qiana.stone@elliman.com

Sagaponack $600,000

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Eight-bedroom, 9 1/2-bath Modern home

AMENITIES Jay-Z and Beyoncé spent a glamorous two weeks here in 2006, just before she went on tour. The 13,000-square-foot light-filled estate features high ceilings and custom windows, four fireplaces and a large kitchen with high-end appliances. There's a large roof deck, sauna, heated gunite pool and views of Poxabogue Pond, plus a two-car garage and a guesthouse on the 1.25 acres.

ALSO There's more than $5 million worth of art in this home, and the 5,000-square-foot lower level, completed in a recent renovation, includes a home theater, a game room and a wine cellar and dining room.

CONTACT Tony Cerio, Brown Harris Stevens, 631-903-6151, tcerio@bhshamptons.com, and Mitch Natter, Brown Harris Stevens Bridgehampton, 631-903-6154, mnatter@bhshamptons.com

Bridgehampton $80,000

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Three-bedroom, two-bath Contemporary

AMENITIES Enjoy a light-filled kitchen and tasteful, comfortable furnishings in this two-story modern home. Situated on an acre of lawn with gardens, the property includes a heated pool with a bluestone surround and a large deck.

ALSO Renters can walk to their own ocean access directly from the property.

CONTACT Myles Tintle, The Corcoran Group, 631-899-0349, mtintle@corcoran.com

Sagaponack $28,000

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Two-bedroom, 11/2-bath cottage

AMENITIES Built in 1975, this barn-style home with a fireplace is about one mile from the ocean on about 2 acres. It's quite close to Sagg Store and also near the village of Bridgehampton.

ALSO The cottage, which is on the grounds of Madoo Gardens, serves as an artist studio in the winter.

CONTACT Jane Gill, Saunders & Associates, 631-237-3924.

Southampton South $140,000

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Five-bedroom, 51/2-bath villa

AMENITIES Built in the 1930s, this Scandinavian-style house is about 6,800 square feet and has been meticulously restored. The two-story home features two fireplaces and a finished basement. The 3.56-acre property includes a pool, a guesthouse and a garage big enough for three cars.

ALSO The parcel is surrounded by 13 acres of natural land preserve, with views of Shinnecock Bay. While there is no pool, there is an easement to a private stretch of beach.

CONTACT John Tsirogiorgis, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-903-2502, john.tsirogiorgis@elliman.com and Jean Tsirogiorgis, Prudential Douglas Elliman, 631-903-2501, jean.tsirogiorgis@elliman.com

Bridgehampton $285,00

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Four-bedroom, 4 1/2-bath traditional

AMENITIES Built in 1970, this 4,000-square-foot, two-story cedar-exterior home has been completely remodeled. There's now a gourmet kitchen, and the living room includes a brick fireplace and a full basement. The den can be converted into a fifth bedroom, and there's a two-car detached, heated garage with its own half-bath.

ALSO The residence is on Sagg Pond and has a view of the ocean. There's also a heated pool on the 1.4-acre property.

CONTACT Gary DePersia, The Corcoran Group, 631-899-0215, gdp@corcoran.com

Quogue $140,000

WHEN Memorial Day to Labor Day

WHAT Six-bedroom, six-bath, two half-bath Mediterranean-style home

AMENITIES With more than 6,000 square feet of living space, the home features three junior guest bedrooms and a master bedroom that all have their own balconies and marble baths and are located at different ends of the home. There's a formal dining room, and a basement with an office, a full bath, a wet bar and wine cabinet and a pool table. The residence has its own security patrol.

ALSO The entire home can be accessed by elevator, and the property is situated on a private peninsula that juts into the Quogue canal. In addition to the property's heated pool, renters will also have access to the private Quogue beach.

CONTACT Victoria Eisenpresser, Prudential Douglas Elliman, 516-426-6332, victoria.eisenpresser@elliman.com