Water Mill - Having grown up in the real estate business, Matthew Breitenbach knows the business. After graduating college he decided to give the business of real estate a try and with a quick sale in Sag Harbor with a $2.9 million price tag he was hooked. Six years and many deals later Matthew, of Water Mill, currently holds the positions of Vice President and Associate Broker at The Corcoran Group and can be found in their Bridgehampton office listing and selling houses from Southampton to East Hampton.

If "location" is the first rule in real estate, what is the second?

Matthew Breithenbach: Price. It's all about getting and finding value in this market.

Matthew Breitenbach, Vice President and Associate Broker at The Corcoran Group. (Courtesy Photo: Matthew Breitenbach)

What is your forecast for the spring/summer real estate season in the Hamptons and North Fork?

MB: I think the market will continue to strengthen. It is still a great time to buy. Sales volume is up but the prices have stayed down. The high-end numbers have also been very strong. Once you see the higher echelon of buyers start to throw around big numbers, it's a good health indicator for the rest of the market. There have been 23 $10 million and up sales over the last year in the Hamptons which is an amazing number of high-end transactions.

What is a sure sign of a "Hamptons" or "North Fork" home?

MB: The Hamptons have a traditional and English country look. When people think of the Hamptons they tend to think of farms and the ocean so when they look for a home out here they look for architecture that follows those themes. With that being said, I have seen an emerging Modern influence in the Hamptons. A lot of my young Wall Street and Hedge Fund clients are really into houses with a traditional exterior and a 'crisp and clean' modern interior.

What are the emerging trends in architecture?

MB: You are seeing a lot of homes in the Hamptons that have a multitude of styles and influences. Modern Farmhouses. Traditional homes with modern interiors. Contemporary beach houses. Nothing seems to be just one style these days.

How have buyers/sellers changed over the past two years?

MB: Buyers used to only look in one town when they searched for a Hampton's house. They would emphasize they like Sagaponack or Bridgehampton and would only look there. Now they are value hunters. They search multiple towns looking for the best deal and best value they can get for the money. The idea of buying real estate out of love and emotion is pretty much dead.

When it comes to unique features and amenities, homes in the Hamptons and on the North Fork have it all. What feature has surprised you the most?

Just steps from the ocean. (Courtesy Photo: Matthew Breitenbach)

MB: I have one listing I am marketing for $8,495,000. It has a wine cellar with a thumbprint security system. The wine cellar is amazing. It was published at one point in Architectural Digest. The wine collection in there is impressive so I don't blame the owner.

Which towns/villages are the most sought-after right now?

MB: Sagaponack is about as hot as it gets right now.

What is an easy way to increase the value of a property?

MB: Reduce your price. It's all about price. I would rather see a seller reduce their price then make improvements to their house. Save the money on home improvements and use that to be more flexible when negotiating a sale.

What's the most extreme thing you've done to make a sale?

MB: None of my sale deals have been easy, but I haven't necessarily done anything 'extreme.' I did have a client that used to make me water his plants, which was embarrassing.

How important is 'staging' for a sale/rental?

MB: I think staging is very important for a new construction. It's sometimes very hard to see what a room is when there is nothing it. This is especially the case in homes with large and open living spaces.

"It's all about price," says Breitenbach. (Courtesy Photo: Matthew Breitenbach)

Tell us about one of your favorite listings on the market right now.

MB: I am marketing a Modern bay front beach house in Sag Harbor. It overlooks Sag Harbor Bay. It's about as open bay front as you get. The main harbor is to your left and Barcelona Point is to your right. All the sailboats moor close by and it's an absolutely majestic setting. The house itself is completely gut renovated. It feels very South Beach inside. It has bamboo floors and a master bath where you can sit in the bathtub and enjoy bay breezes and incredible views. It's as peaceful setting as there is in the Hamptons.

Do you feel that the 'Golden Age' of East End real estate is over?

MB: Never. The Hamptons, like Aspen, is a high-end luxury market. There will always be value and appreciation in these markets.