Meet Real Estate Broker Peter McCracken
Real estate agent Peter McCracken grew up in Old Westbury, but he and his family summered in Southampton, near Coopers Beach. As time passed, the allure of the East End could not be denied.
“I moved back to the East End in January of 1991 after graduating from college,” he tells. “I wanted to be in the Hamptons. I have loved it ever since. My mother thought I was crazy for moving out here during the winter. The winters are very quiet, especially on Shelter Island where I currently live. I live by myself and love it, for now at least. To keep busy, I have a terrific group of friends and we have dinner parties at each others’ houses. I am also very involved in the community. I am Chairman of the Board for the local chapter of the American Red Cross and also sit on the town’s Board of Assessment Review, as well as the town’s Emergency Medical Services Board. Volunteer! There are so many organizations on the East End that need help. It will keep you busy and you will meet terrific people. On the East End, where the communities are so small, it really does make a difference.”
What else do you enjoy on the East End?
“I sail almost every Wednesday night from the SIYC, and on most weekends during the summer months in a variety of races from the Peconic Bay Sailing Association on a J-105. My favorite race is the Whitebread race on Columbus Day weekend. I love all the small hamlets with all of their stores and great restaurants, just walking along the main streets of each town and I love to eat out. Also, the beaches are the best in the world.
How long have you been selling real estate? “Since 1991, just out of college. It was not a good time to be in the business then, plus I was so young and nobody took me seriously. But, I survived! During this time, I was the office manager at Sag Harbor Yacht Yard with Jim Briggs. He taught me so much. I come from a big boating family, so boating was in my blood. Then I went on to manage the Island Boatyard and Marina here on Shelter Island and finally, managed the Chequit and the Ram’s Head Inn.
The real estate market was really picking up so I began working fulltime in 1999. The market is only getting better on the East End. Everyone wants to be in the Hamptons, so all price markets are heating up. I am very fortunate to work for a terrific company, The Corcoran Group. They give us the tools that we need to do our work effectively and efficiently.
What’s the biggest mistake that people make when they try to sell a property themselves?
“They do not have a professional to guide them in the marketing, advertising, negotiating and staging processes.” McCracken notes that it is difficult for nonprofessionals to properly price their property.
McCracken really listens, “So many times I hear customers tell me that they were working with other agents and they were being shown houses that were either out of their price range or the wrong style or size. I’m honest. An agent doesn’t know everything about every listing. If you are asked a question and don’t know the answer, it is OK say you don’t know and that you will find out.”
“Right now I’m offering a terrific deal on Shelter Island. The four-lot subdivision on Ned’s Lane is all set to go with all approvals in place. The owners want to sell the whole subdivision totaling just over six acres with each lot being 1+ acre and an acre that is to remain forever green as “park” land. It is a great location, literally a minute to all, marinas, beach, golf and town. At $1.15 million there is money to be made for the right builder.
Another of his current listings is “a terrific 1911 Arts and Crafts style home on six acres that was totally renovated. Six bedrooms, CAC and it is over 4,000 sq. ft. There is also a large, historic barn with an attached three-car garage and full bath. Great for a pool house. The current owners hold benefits in the barn, there’s plenty of parking. There is also plenty of room for a pool, tennis court and another spacious home. It would make a terrific family compound. Currently listed at $1.9 million.”
Peter McCracken, SVP, CBR Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Corcoran, 631-749-2526, cell 631-774-0107.
View all of McCracken’s listings at: www.corcoran.com/petermccracken