East Hampton - Hamptons real estate mover and shaker Stuart Epstein knows the South Fork market inside and out. He moved to East Hampton from the Midwest, where he was born and later attended the University of Michigan. In 1991 he purchased Devlin McNiff Real Estate with his wife, Lynn. With an MBA from Columbia University and extensive experience when it comes to sales and marketing, the Amagansett-based agent is a vital part of the East Hampton community - most noted for his efforts with the East Hampton Library and the East Hampton Business Alliance.

Stuart Epstein, owner of Devlin McNiff Real Estate in East Hampton.

How long have you been involved in the real estate business in the Hamptons?

Stuart Epstein: We purchased Devlin McNiff Real Estate in 1991, the bottom of the last real estate bust in the Hamptons.

Some people feel that the Golden Age of real estate in the Hamptons has come and gone. How do you feel?

SE: No, I think the Golden Age has room to run, baring any unforeseen disaster like a Category Five Hurricane or a casino on Shinnecock land in Southampton.

Looking at the profile of the local industry as a whole, what changes would you predict for the future?

SE: Fewer agents, fewer offices, fewer companies in the near term. Possibly an MLS (multiple listing service) under the aegis of HANFRA in the medium term.

Which traits do you look for when you interview a potential sales associate?

SE: I have one overriding criteria - would I like to be seated next to her/him at a dinner party? If the answer is yes, that usually takes care of such things as smarts, personality, attractiveness and energy level.

How do you feel about the fact there is no MLS in the Hamptons market?

SE: We, like Manhattan, seem to be able to do business successfully without one, although technology and politics may move us toward one in the future.

What price trends do you see for 2010?

SE: Both sales and rental prices should not decline much further in the coming year. They're already down some 20 to 30 percent from the bubble highs in 2007. I believe we are bumping along the bottom of the housing recession and things should be stable for the coming year before they start to turn up in 2011.

What is your prediction for the 2010 rental season?

SE: It will be a good year for rentals, but we are advising owners to stand pat on their pricing and not significantly raise versus last year due to the increased number of properties for rent.

Editor's Note: "Broker's Outlook" is a new column here at Hamptons.com where we invite all real estate agents from across the Hamptons and East End to be part of the story discussing their take on the Hamptons real estate market. For details contact Executive Editor Nicole B. Brewer at nicole@hamptons.com.