Julie and Anna Crowley are a mother and daughter team of real estate agents with Saunders. Julie is based in the Southampton office and Anna in Westhampton. They recently spoke with Hamptons.com about their business.
How long have you been involved in Hamptons real estate? And how did previous experience prepare you for this work?
Julie: Since 2002; 8 years in pharmaceutical sales and marketing prior to that helped me hone my communications and marketing skills.
Anna: Since 2017; I worked in the Saunders office as an Office Administrator, learning the back end of the real estate world in the Hamptons.
What’s your business like right now – sales? Rentals?
Julie & Anna: Most of our business is sales lately and 95% of our business is based on referrals and recommendations. We are finding that more people are deciding to make purchases as opposed to renting during the times of the pandemic. We don’t see this climate ending anytime soon, since technology has enabled people to work remotely. Many people have learned that they can enjoy working remotely and spend more time with their family and friends in their down time.
Which areas do you cover and which is/are most active now?
Julie & Anna: Between Westhampton and Southampton have been the majority of our sales. However, we also have listings and buyers that are pulling us west and east of this territory.
What are your buyers looking for?
Julie & Anna: 80% are looking for a second home. Many look for a turnkey home with not much work required. We’ve been selling a lot of waterfront/waterview properties recently. It seems that people find it more important to make time for recreation during these difficult times in the pandemic, and the water, beach, and life in the Hamptons is a perfect place for their outlets.
What’s the best piece of advice you could give a buyer now? A seller?
Julie & Anna: In this market, the buyers have to see the property they are most interested in as soon as it hits the market. If it becomes their favorite, they need to bid aggressively. For sellers: prepare your house to be shown, declutter, and price it right. Listen to your broker’s guidance. This market has become very competitive and both buyers and sellers need patience as they navigate the negotiation process.
What do you like to do in the Hamptons outside the office?
Julie & Anna: Our business has been so busy this year that outlets are very important in a broker’s life. We both enjoy living near the water where we can boat and jetski, or go for boat rides with friends and family to see beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Maintaining a healthy mind, body, and soul is very important as we navigate this frenetic market.
Do you have a favorite restaurant? A favorite place to go?
Julie & Anna: We love the Hampton Maid for a great breakfast! We like to have our breakfast business meetings there to start the day right. For an evening meal out, our favorites are Stone Creek Inn in East Quogue and Plaza Café in Southampton. We’re very lucky to live and work on the East End. Once you get to know the proprietors of these great establishments, they become like family.
Community involvement – any charities or groups you’d like to mention that you support/are involved in?
Julie & Anna: We are both Rotarians in the Hampton Bays Rotary Club. Service Above Self is their motto. Rotary is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world. It is very popular as a local volunteer organization as well. Making sure we offer our help to our community is very important to us. Providing life rings for water safety, installing a water station at the new East Quogue dog park, and stocking the “Little Food Pantry” are a few recent things that we have been involved with.
View all of The Julie Crowley Team’s listings and sales history at www.JulieCrowleyTeam.com
