East Hampton Village Oldie 695K Negotiable

THIS UNTOUCHED TRADITIONAL dates from when Montauk Highway was already a main thoroughfare, yes, but what that meant was a dirt road with horses and carts clopping along — not the never-ending stream of car and truck traffic that exists today.

Pity, because the house and property are just what I’d want in a different spot: a late 19th century cedar-shingled 4BR, with lots of original detail inside, on almost an acre, and taxes under $2,000/year.

There are lots of good things about it. The long gravel drive and the backyard actually have a secluded feeling, almost a secret-garden feeling. The house is set back a fair distance from the busy road, and perched on a hill. There’s no reason why the front yard couldn’t be enclosed with a fence and high hedge.

Needs TLC, as the ads put it, but that’s far better, in my book, than paying the price for a slick modern renovation that has de-charmed the place entirely.

To see more pics of the interior, for more info or an appointment to see, contact Dennis Avedon at Corcoran, 516/398-6751, dennis.avedon@corcoran.com

Good Fences Make Good Gardens

GOOD FENCES may or may not make good neighbors, but good deer fences definitely make good gardens.

 

A friend here just told me how her husband, fired up with enthusiasm the very first day they moved to a wooded lot in Springs 20 years ago, planted vegetable seedlings, saying “I’ll put up a fence tomorrow.” The next morning, of course, there was nothing to put a fence around.

I’ve decided not to plant anything at all this year. This fall and winter, when I’ve had a chance to figure out just what I want, and when the landscape contractors’ business slows down, I’m going to focus my resources on four things:

• a gravel driveway/parking court
• a flagstone patio and paths
• removal of 4 or 5 large trees to gain more sunlight
• a proper 8′ tall deer fence around the entire property, including a gate across the driveway

I’m convinced it’s the way to go. Otherwise, between the deer and the shade, I’ll be limited to ferns and a few other things. (Go here for the most comprehensive article on deer fencing I’ve found.)

I know my list is ambitious. Based on prior estimates and hearsay, I’ll be lucky if I can do all that for $20,000. It may end up taking me longer than I’d like. Meanwhile, I’m looking around at what others have done to make deer fences go away, visually, and deer go away altogether.