OCEAN HOME MAGAZINE: Q&A WITH HAMPTONS REAL ESTATE JUGGERNAUT TIM DAVIS
THE CORCORAN BROKER WHO’S SOLD SOME OF THE TOP PROPERTIES IN THE COUNTRY
Tim Davis knows a thing or two about Hamptons real estate. A lifetime Hamptons resident, he’s one of the top brokers in the region after selling real estate there for more than four decades. Recently, the Wall Street Journal ranked Davis as the top real estate agent in the Hamptons, and tenth in the country. He’s brokered 38 transactions on the ocean in Southampton alone. Davis has negotiated more than $4 billion in sales over his career. His priciest sale clocked in at $137 million, and he’s sold such distinctive properties as Wooldon Manor in Southampton, owned by Gilded Age tycoons like the Woolworths and Edmund Lynch of Merrill Lynch and once considered the most opulent estate in the Hamptons. He’s also twice sold Westerly, a Southampton Georgian estate, most recently in 2010 for around $40 million to its current owner, fashion designer Tory Burch. Davis himself lives with his family in a modest Southampton cottage. “I’m often inspired by what I see on the market,” he told Cottages & Gardens in 2016. “It was intentional not to build a mansion for ourselves. We wanted to build a home that we could live in and stay in for many, many years.” Below, Davis chats about some of his favorite career highlights, market predictions, and why the Hamptons are such a sought-after location.
Why did you decide to become a real estate agent?
Sales have been my passion since an early age. I had close family ties in the Hamptons, and it was a natural career start for selling real estate. That was 42 years ago.
You’re a lifelong Hamptons resident, right? What do you love about where you live?
The natural beauty is by far the most interesting factor for living in the Hamptons. The ocean, the bays, various other waterways. Big open sky views and incredible light. It’s what brought the artists to paint here and the wealthy summer set to build seaside mansions.
How has work changed for you since the start of the pandemic?
Initially, there was an “I must buy” thought process. New inventory everywhere and anywhere moved off the shelves. That turned to “We need to buy.” Knowing that the pandemic may continue or return in some form in the future, it makes sense to own an escape from urban settings for one’s health and safety. Now we are dealing with “we want to buy,” decisions made about lifestyle and the ability to work from home offices for many businesses. Why not live in the Hamptons full-time.
Do you have any predictions for the Hamptons housing market for the rest of 2022? Do you think the housing boom will continue? Do you think the Hamptons can handle a continued influx of new residents?
I believe that our market will continue to remain strong throughout the year. The lack of inventory is a challenge we are managing with serious sellers. As for “infrastructure and influx of new residents,” that all seems to be being managed on all levels.
What do you consider one of your career’s biggest accomplishments?
Being an owner of the luxury boutique real estate firm Allan M. Schneider Associates and selling to NRT/Corcoran in August of 2006.
Any advice for buyers and/or sellers right now?
Seasoned brokers have historical knowledge and market data relative to trends and dealing with the ups, downs, and pauses of the Hamptons market.
What is one of the most interesting or unique properties you’ve ever sold?
Wooldon Manor in Southampton. An oceanfront estate comprising feen acres for $75 million and 6 months later for $83 million.
What’s the priciest listing you’ve ever sold?
$137,000,000 but that is a long story..
What’s one of the most historical properties you’ve ever sold?
Westerly, a 15,000-square-foot Georgian estate on over fifteen acres, once in 1991 and again in 2010.
Any properties currently listed that you’re particularly excited about right now?
A spectacular oceanfront home in Montauk along Old Montauk Highway listed at $22.5 million. The house sits just above the sand with a pool and sensational coastline views. Thierry Despont was the designer on the renovation in 2010/2011. Also, an amazing 10-acre oceanfront site with 550 feet of frontage and access to Shinnecock Bay listed at $75 million.
As seen in OceanHome Magazine
