TRACEY & JAMES

PLACE IN THE SUN Your own

STORY BY JENNY LANDEY

There’s a reason that piece of wood flooring in the entry of a door is called a “threshold.” Stepping inside a house, especially if it’s one you’ve just purchased, is indeed crossing a threshold—into home ownership, house pride, and a sense of true belonging.

There’s a feeling that comes with buying your first home, and there’s nothing else quite like it. You’re now in charge of your destiny, you’re the captain of your own ship. You’ve put down “roots” and the stability that comes from owning is different than free-floating as a renter. There’s freedom in it. You now make your own rules—about pets, paint color, landscaping and where the barbecue goes. You know where to focus your nesting instincts; maybe it’s time for a partner (or not), or even a family, or how about hosting a socially distanced dinner party.

Whatever your case, it’s a rite of passage into a new, more settled life stage. The word “own” has a double meaning now. Of course, a big part of this step is financial. For most people, buying a house is the single largest investment they will make. It’s a commitment and you’ll feel like taking care of it; maybe that pair of shoes is no longer as important as a pair of fireplace andirons.

Sotheby’s International Realty Images courtesy of Art History lives here. Former home and art studio of American Abstract Expressionist painter Conrad Marca‑Relli, this rustic circa 1800's compound sits near The Pollock‑ Krasner House, rolling pastures and farmland.

Affectionately named Squirrel Hall, the main house boasts an addition of a beautiful saltbox barn gifted from art patron Adelaide deMenil. Surrounded by meadow and preserve in the rear of the property, this place offers magnificent landscape views.

A wonderful retreat replete with history; Marilyn Monroe rented while married to Arthur Miller, and Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock gathered frequently. The living room has barn beams, fireplace, and clerestory windows with stairs leading to the en‑suite master bedroom overlooking the fields. The sitting room also with a fireplace, built by Conrad himself, has the most beautiful authentic oval window and a floor‑to‑ceiling bookcase. This is a one‑of‑a‑kind property and is the first time being offered for sale in over 60 years.

Jenny Landey, Real Estate Salesperson

Sotheby’s International Realty, Bridgehampton NY brokerage E-mail: Jenny.Landey@Sothebyshomes.com Tel. No: +1 917 743 2525

It is an investment, whether the plan is to make a few improvements and sell it quickly at a profit, or keep it and watch your investment grow. Real estate remains an excellent long-term investment strategy—a great reason to buy.

To prepare to purchase, be realistic about what you can afford and prioritize what you can live with and without, whether that’s a quiet street, southern exposure, proximity to great schools, or a garage for your car and stuff. Talk to your financial advisor (could be a family member or your accountant) and estimate mortgage, taxes, and maintenance costs. Remember, you can always rent your house for part, or all, of the year, or even get a roommate to help with expenses. Be creative. Then enjoy the search; it’s fun (with the right agent!).

I sell real estate on the east end of Long Island, NY. Here, in the Hamptons, I’ve noticed the pandemic has motivated people to buy their own place instead of renting in the summer. This area has become a yearround community full of artists, writers, restaurants, activities, and diversity, not just a resort town.

So, clearly, the market is busy! Even for rentals, people need more space because they may be working from home and they’re spending more time there. Once you know what’s realistic for your financial situation and you’ve got your courage up, go ahead, take that first step across the threshold. It’s never the wrong time to buy your own place in the sun.

I’d love to help you fulfill your real estate goals. I have colleagues across the globe as part of the Sotheby’s International Realty family. I am happy to connect you with a colleague if seeking a home outside of The Hamptons.

SAVE THE DATE

BY MYRDITH LEON-MCCORMACK

Invitations are more than a piece of paper that tells your guest when, where, and what time to be present at your wedding. They also set the tone for what type of event you’re putting together, so it is important that you take a keen interest in the sort of invite you send.

We reached-out to the folks at Zola and asked them to share some tips with our readers that will help you and your beloved make a choice that will compliment your aesthetics, as well as set the tone for your spectacular event. So, before you do your final selects, read below. You will not be disappointed.

We are seeing increased popularity in crisp and clean designs inspired by earthy, natural elements, such as florals, leaves, and mountain ranges, likely inspired by the increase in outdoor weddings.

• Galata - this eucalyptus-inspired minimalist design remains one of our best sellers • Octavia - large vintage florals are incredibly versatile and perfect for all types of weddings • Violin - calligraphy script with a light watercolor accent is clean and classic • Cricket - large watercolor florals are a great way to introduce a garden-inspired wedding • Deep creek - a watercolor landscape design is perfect for an outdoor wedding, available with options for all seasons • Kalispell - elegant botanical illustrations create a classic and romantic style IN REGARDS TO DESIGN, ARE YOU SEEING PAPER OR DIGITAL? We are still seeing couples primarily interested in paper invitations, but many Zola couples have moved digitally to capture RSVP responses through our guest list manager, which provides a seamless process for collecting addresses, building a guest list, and tracking RSVPs all in one place.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DOES ONE NEED TO CONTACT YOU TO GET SOMETHING CUSTOM DESIGNED? We recommend that couples allow a minimum of 1-2 weeks for shipping. While we don't offer fully custom designs, Zola offers over 400 stunning designs and over 1,300 color options, which are very easy to personalize with custom photos, many foil and paper options, and more. We have a full team of designers in-house who work every day to create the most gorgeous invites with easy personalization options since most couples do think that creating a design from scratch would be very overwhelming.

@ZOLA | #ANYTHINGFORLOVE www.zola.com 1-408-657-ZOLA or support@zola.com

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH ZOLA? Well, Zola is the easiest way to crush every item on your wedding planning checklist, including purchasing beautiful and affordable wedding paper. We offer free shipping, free guest addressing, and free envelopes with all paper orders. Couples can also choose up to five samples at no cost to see their gorgeous designs in person before deciding, and we offer free matching wedding websites for all our paper designs to create a seamless and beautiful experience for guests, from paper to screen. We also offer free change-the-dates with any save-the-date or invitation purchase. FOR THE COUPLE THAT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS ZOLA IS DOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE IN THIS AREA? Our paper products are printed by a vendor that is designated as an environmentally responsible business by the Green Business Bureau. For couples looking to cut down on paper products, Zola offers online RSVPs. It has never been easier for couples to build their entire guest list, request addresses from guests, and track RSVPs, meal preferences, and plus ones all in one place online.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE ON SENDING OUT AN INVITATION? Generally, invitations should be sent six to eight weeks before the wedding, or up to twelve if a significant portion of guests will need to travel. Don't forget to include your wedding website on your invitation to direct your guests to additional important information (such as accommodations, itinerary, and your registry)! WHAT ARE TIPS ON RSVP AND THANK YOU CARDS? IS THAT STILL A WAY TO GO? While some couples choose to forgo an RSVP card, instead, directing their guests to their website to RSVP, thank you cards are still a must! If you're not planning to send out thank you notes right away, you can buy yourself some time by sending a simple text to loved ones to let them know that you couldn't be happier to finally have the Dutch oven or wine rack that they purchased. With Zola, couples can easily choose thank you cards to match the rest of their paper suite and wedding website. For couples using Zola for registry as well, we make it seamless to keep track of the gifts you receive and the guests who sent them. And, as with all our paper products, thank you cards come with free shipping, free envelopes, and free guest addressing!