Authored by: Laurie Mindnich

September 24th, 2007 

Now that the North Fork of Long Island has played host to our out of town summer visitors and fall is making it’s predictable appearance, the second
wave of visitors fast approaches. Fall in the the North Fork offers the beauty of changing colors, beaches less traveled, and…CORN MAZES.

My first foray into a corn maze took place with my niece and nephew a few years ago. Not knowing what to expect, we entered with a bit of adrenaline. At
the risk of ruining the experience for those planning to visit, just know to expect the unexpected, and laugh harder than you thought possible. I liken it to an outdoor haunted house, with more laughs and less gore. Hokey, effective, and FUN- and a day I’ll cherish with the kids.

There are several corn mazes available for the brave, with locations both on Main Road and the North Road (Sound Avenue). We happened upon Krupskis farm in Cutchogue- when they’re fully ready, this is a veritable Halloween feast for the senses. In addition to the corn maze, they offer a haunted “barn”. Pumpkins are available, as are gourds, front door decorations, and assorted Halloween goodies.

We are going to try Harbes corn maze on North Road this year- it’s just too tempting to pass up. Larger than some that we’ve seen, the maze appears to go on forever- and we’re hoping to get the same laughs that we enjoyed a few years ago.

Plan on picking up your pumpkins (or, literally picking your pumpkin), enjoying fresh roasted corn, and an array of fresh vegetables and pies- and bring along your camera. If you find that you’re laughing as hard (or harder) than the kids, well…you’re in good company!

TO GET A LIST OF OFFERINGS/PRICES/TIMES FOR CORN MAZES AND OTHER EVENTS ON THE NORTH FORK, CLICK HERE.

For an appointment to view houses while you visit, give us a call- you’ll catch us in the maze!

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Authored by: Laurie Mindnich
September 21st, 2007 

I recently finished up a highly successful active adult community for a national builder. The process afforded an ear to this buying contingent- and their
ideas varied as widely as the offerings for adult communities on the North Fork.

For many, “cashing out” equity in their existing home and down-sizing was the primary objective. With many still working, and planning to do so for several years, the consideration of a move in the sudden absence of children underfoot and too much space, combined with the idea of lower taxes and less “to do”, made it a non-negotiable move- it just sounds too good to be true.

A breakdown of the process as told to me by this buying contingent:

The kids leave; college tuition lingers; there’s a big, empty house. That it’s full of “stuff” delays the decision until it becomes JUST TOO TEMPTING…

Iwww. A “retirement” community. “WE’RE TO YOUNG.” Often, the next thought. Being “too young”, whether in years or spirit doesn’t deter…just looking around. If this buyer hasn’t yet hired someone to take care of the yard work, it is often one or the other that starts the looking process- weekends are tediously full.

One of the first lessons learned, if a buyer is presented the right active adult community, is that somehow, the “retirement” part- the inactive, reclusive “old age” perception dissipates. While this is crass and inappropriate, this next concern was voiced by a customer of mine. “I was worried that it would be a bunch of old people pissing in their beds.” This was not said “jokingly”- rather, it was offered when, to his delight, the community that his wife located had an abundance of still working active adults. REMEMBER: medical facilities are not offered at active adult communities, nor is maid service, nor are meals.

We ALL dread, to some extent or another, that vision of permanent care. For the active adult contingent, it is simply not appropriate- not to mention, premature.

The ultimate goal of a retirement/active adult buyer includes shorter, as well as longer term goals. The years coming up AFTER retirement may involve travel. The convenience of having a gated, secure environment in which to leave belongings is NICE. Nicer than locking up the house, re-routing the mail, leaving the landscapers check under the front mat, etc. It’s a more secure feeling, those shared walls and now known neighbors. The friends from the old neighborhood have moved, many of them- it isn’t the same.

These buyers are often the “sandwich” generation, assisting parents as well as children. Sometimes, concurrently, health issues with spouses come into play. This is a group of people who have found themselves involved enough in the interpersonal play of relatives that it is just TOO MUCH to worry about a house that is now too big. MY HAT’S OFF TO THEM. I’ll be making the same decisions in eight short years- they’ve provided me with insight that in it’s absence, would have created a longer process for me.

In the final analysis of this buyer, adding up the benefits for use of pool, tennis, clubhouse, perceived increased security, lower taxes, a paid for house with savings accrued in the old house at the ready…all permit for a bit of well-deserved peace of mind.

For a list of ALL properties available for the 55 and better set, contact Options Realty- we’ll make it easy.

September 9th, 2007 

A question was posed to me recently about the benefits and/or motivation involved for individuals that choose to locate a retirement / second home on the North Fork of Long Island.

 For those individuals approaching their fifties, thoughts about where to “be” when the kids are gone is one that niggles- ideas about personal freedom and lower taxes notwithstanding, a very important factor is a “family friendly” location.

Being close, yet…a vacation away.
For those of you that live mid-island, or in close proximity to the city, your transition from family home to ease of 55-plus living has an abundance of offerings. If peace and quiet, along with a very low key and bountiful lifestyle is on your agenda, few areas offer the charm of the North Fork.

Family visitors are often at the heart of the decision to go “a little bit east” on Long Island. While family members may be starting their own lives, offering a respite in your own home is key to some relocating or second home families. Beaches, boating, fishing, corn mazes, fresh produce at farmstands (in some cases, with a tin can and an honor system) are compelling reasons.

The “Mayberry”-esque environment is a welcomed change for most visiting families- and with the enormous offerings for kids from two to ninety two, a “permanent” vacation is often an interesting alternative (and certainly, much closer than Florida).

The train station is close by, and while trips to the city will no longer take a half an hour, the two hour ride, on occasion, is relaxing- and, a small price to pay for the benefits offered in the city, now and then. Only to return home, to your peaceful and pastoral environment.

 

 

Living in a place that beckons family members for a vacation full of activity, with a bent toward “peaceful”, is a rarity, indeed- and offered in the North Fork of Long Island. No manic summer, filled with “celebrities” and the accompanying frenzy; no bumper to bumper traffic on any given day; and, with the ocean a short weekday ride away (weekends in the Hamptons are a bit congested), everything is right here.

What often motivates people to plan retirement on the North Fork of Long Island? Based on what has been the deciding factor for many people, it is the simplicity and peace of this lifestyle, full of possibilities for the rest of the family to create their own memories of the North Fork, returning again and again.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING RETIREMENT/INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ON THE NORTH FORK, PLEASE CONTACT OPTIONS REALTY: 631-727-2227 AND LET THE “NOTION” BECOME A REALITY!

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