Hamptons Roots, Horse Girls, and Real Estate Hustle: A Summer Chat with Sarah Doud

Sarah Doud has deep Peconic roots. For those new around here, that means the East End of Long Island, the Hamptons. And if you’ve been here a while, there’s a good chance you already know Sarah. She’s a fifth-generation local who brings that rare mix of homegrown heart and high-end hustle to everything she touches.

Her family has been rooted in Bridgehampton soil since the potato-farming days of the 1800s. That kind of legacy doesn’t just show up on a résumé; it shows up in how Sarah does business, how she knows the land, and how she treats the people who live here. Maybe you’ve seen her at a house tour, a Chamber of Commerce event, or just chatting ringside at the barn while her daughters — the fourth generation of Hamptons horse girls — take their riding lessons.

She’s built and renovated half a dozen homes before turning 35, knows every back road between Montauk and Remsenburg, and still makes time to show up for a client, a cause, or a school meeting. When you meet Sarah, it’s her easy smile and calm sincerity that strike you first. Then it hits you: she knows everyone, and she remembers everything. She’s the kind of agent who can tell you the history of the land beneath your feet and then get you top dollar for it.

Ahead of the busy season, I sat down with Sarah to talk about legacy, lifestyle, and how she’s using media, marketing, and good instincts to make Hamptons real estate experience personal.

You’re a fifth-generation local. How has growing up in the Hamptons shaped your approach to real estate?

Everybody loves a good story. And with so many generations here, there are plenty of great stories to share about the yesteryears and legacies that have built the Hamptons – what it was, and what it has become. These stories allow me to connect to new people and connect them to this place they want to call home. 

Friends and clients who know me well know that my own home is very nostalgic of the Hamptons’ past – a real blend of new with nods to the history in a nearly 100-year-old farmhouse. I cherish the country childhood I had along the coastline – horseback riding on the beach in Sagaponack, my first job working at the local farm stand, waitressing at the Candy Kitchen in Bridgehampton. What we all have here is remarkable; it always has been and I expect it always will be. And for that reason, the perspective of being local will continue to interest people…and the stories will continue to be desired and enjoyed. 

From a real estate perspective, I enjoy being the one who gets the privilege of introducing new people to what’s so special about this place. And I think they enjoy it too.

How does your hands-on experience with building and renovation influence how you guide your clients?

Knowing who to call, and when to call is critical. It’s helpful to stay one step ahead during a routine home buying inspection, and this expertise and the contacts are advantageous to my customers who want to flip and renovate, because I’ve danced the dance. I’ve made money on flips and new builds – I know what works and what doesn’t.

You’re raising the next generation of horse girls. How has the equestrian lifestyle influenced your work and the types of properties you love to represent?

Buy dirt, as the famous country song says. Farmland is scarcer every year, although I do appreciate the preservation efforts. Personally, buying something subdividable is smart real estate, but enjoying the land and not building right away is the real luxury. People who are curious about horses usually turn to me for guidance on the best farms and equestrian facilities. I have seen more interest and growth in Hamptons gateway towns like Riverhead and the North Fork in recent years.

You manage your own income-producing properties. What advice do you give clients looking to do the same in the Hamptons?

“Year-round rentals” are often an underappreciated market. Grabbing a few of these can be as powerful as grabbing one luxury property, especially when we see challenging summer rental markets. For rentals in general, high interest rates have made the rental formula more challenging, but there are still some ways to win at this.

You’ve got a background in TV and you’re strong on social media. How do you use media to tell the story of a listing or connect with potential buyers?

Video is king. The last house I sold, the buyer said to me, “If you hadn’t done the video, I don’t know that I would’ve considered this home.” A home can only present so many ways on paper – you need the buyers to get inside the experience and the possibilities -using quality video properly allows for that before you even get them in the door.

You sell in all the towns, but Hampton Bays remains a dominant hamlet for your business. What can you share about why people are buying there?

I’m very involved in the community, and living in Hampton Bays and raising a family there makes it easy to sell – I give my customers the same advice I give myself – and this is case in point.  Hampton Bays continues to trend up, so the price points make sense, and there’s plenty of room for values and equity in your home purchase. With some of the most waterfront property in the Hamptons and many waterfront restaurants, it’s an attractive town to live in, but also to dine and enjoy. We are also seeing the Hamptons enjoyed more than just seasonally these days, with such a work remote culture shift, and so I believe people really enjoy that Hampton Bays is recognized as a more active year-round hamlet.

To learn more about Sarah Doud, click here.