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Susan Breitenbach, Senior Vice President, The Corcoran Group. (Courtesy Photo: Susan Breitenbach |
Southampton - From the moment she entered the real estate business
Susan Breitenbach was a natural, and became a super star. Susan, Senior Vice President at The
Corcoran Group, has earned status as the undisputed top Hamptons broker and is currently ranked #1 in The Hamptons and #6 Nationwide as per the
Wall Street Journal. She has handled over $1 billion in real estate transactions and found dream homes for hundreds of her own customers, with her territory covering sales (residential and land) and rentals throughout the entire East End.
This busy lady took some time from her hectic schedule to answer a few questions for Hamptons.com:
If "location" is the first rule in real estate, what is the second?
Susan Breitenbach: When listing do not over price it. When buying be more concerned with getting what you really want instead of the very best deal out there, it is for most a long term investment.
What would you consider to be your specialilty in real estate?
SB: My speciality? I am known for listing and selling the very high end of the Hamptons market and the #1 Broker for Sales Volume but what most people don't know is that I do alot in all price ranges Southampton to Montauk and was the #1 Broker for Unit Sales as well!
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With breathtaking views, the house has GHA Heat and CAC. The stone and shingle exterior home also includes a pool. (Courtesy Photo: Susan Breitenbach) |
: I think people are more value conscious than they were before the Wall Street downturn a couple of years ago, I think it's a whole different world now, people are buying and the high end market is moving again but they are really looking thoroughly and are very educated, not impulsive.
What are the emerging trends in architecture?
SB: Emerging trends in architecture seem to be very modern, crisp and clean [interiors]. [As for exteriors], still seeing traditional but also more modern structures.
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?
SB: I think one of the most surprising unique features that I have seen recently is incredible wine cellars, one even needed a thumb print to gain access!
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This Traditional home has three stories. (Courtesy Photo: Susan Breitenbach) |
: The towns and villages that have been the most active recently have been Sagaponack with some very high end spec houses trading, Bridgehampton and a surprise to most North Haven and Sag Harbor. There have been quite a few good sales there, and I have been lucky enough to be a part of five transactions in the $20 million range in all three of those towns in the last few months.
What is an easy way to increase the value of a property?
SB: Easiest way to increase property value or to make it more saleable is to spruce it up with a new paint job, refinish floors if necessary and landscaping.
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: One of the most extreme things I have done to get a sale done is to drive contracts to the buyer's house at midnight for signature since there was a deadline and a bidding war and then deliver them to seller's attorney that same night!
How important is 'staging' for a sale/rental?
SB: Staging for a sale is very helpful but it has to be done well. It can transform a house into a home. Worse mistake is to is to just put odd pieces in which is worse than vacant.
Donna Dazzo ...
Donna Dazzo says:
Susan, Congratulations on your success! Since the interviewer mentioned staging and you said it helps if it is done well. I own a home staging company, Designed to Appeal, which serves both Manhattan and the Hamptons. In 2008, most of my business came from the Hamptons. In 2009, with the recession, business died down in both the city and the Hamptons. But last year and especially this year, NYC real estate agents and homeowners have recognized the value of staging their homes to get them sold. And we stage occupied homes as well - staging isn't just vacants. We are extremely busy, but 100% of our business comes from the city. My question to you is, "WHY DON'T HAMPTONS REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND HOMEOWNERS RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF STAGING IN GETTING A HOME, WHETHER OCCUPIED OR VACANT, SOLD QUICKLY AND FOR MORE MONEY?" I don't think that there are other stagers in the Hamptons who are busy staging and getting all of the business. I rarely get calls for bids. I would appreciate you helping me to understand this puzzling phenomenon. Thank you.