Suffolk County, New York
Selling a home in Southampton
New York's first English settlement, now a South Fork town of 18 hamlets and seven villages between Peconic Bay and the ocean.
Get my free home valueAbout Southampton
New York's first English colony, on the South Fork
The Town of Southampton traces its history to 1640, when settlers from Lynn, Massachusetts, landed at what is now Conscience Point. The town calls itself New York State's first English colony, and the village's history notes that the Shinnecock sold the settlers more land and shared their knowledge of farming and fishing. Today the town covers 140.2 square miles, with 18 hamlets and seven incorporated villages, and had 69,036 residents in the 2020 Census.
The seven villages are Sag Harbor, North Haven, Quogue, Westhampton Beach, West Hampton Dunes, Southampton and Sagaponack. The Village of Southampton incorporated in 1894 and grew into a summer resort of large estates in the early 20th century; it had 4,550 residents in 2020. Hamlets include Hampton Bays, Bridgehampton, Water Mill, East Quogue, Flanders, Riverside, North Sea, Noyac and Shinnecock Hills. The Moriches, Shinnecock and Mecox bays lie to the south, and the LIRR Montauk Branch runs through the town.
Homes in Southampton
What sellers should know
Southampton runs from year-round houses in Hampton Bays, Flanders and Riverside to historic village homes, farmhouses and large estates near the ocean. Septic systems are the norm, as across most of Suffolk, and waterfront lots bring flood zones and wetland rules. If you rent seasonally, you need a town rental permit. In the Village of Southampton, exterior work in historic districts goes to the Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board, so buyers ask what has been approved.
Budget for the CPF tax at closing
The Peconic Bay Region Community Preservation Fund tax is 2.5 percent on sales in the town, with an exemption on part of the price for many homes. It is collected by the title closer and filed with the deed.
Keep your rental permit active
The town requires a rental permit for any home rented for any period, with a two-week minimum stay. A current permit and clean rental history help buyers who plan to rent.
Check if your house predates 1941
The town's Landmarks and Historic Districts Board reviews demolition and construction permits for structures built before 1941. Buyers planning a teardown will ask.
Confirm town or village rules
If you are in one of the seven villages, the village building department and boards decide permits. Outside them, it is the town's Building and Zoning Division.
Free · No obligation
Selling in Southampton?
Tell us about your property. A licensed agent will look at recent sales near you and call with a realistic price range and a plan — free and without obligation.
- 01
Tell us about your home
Address, size and your timing. Two minutes, no account needed.
- 02
We study real sales nearby
A licensed agent compares recent sales and current competition near you — not an automated guess.
- 03
Talk it through, no pressure
You get a realistic price range and a plan. Whether you list with us is entirely your call.
Thank you — we have your request.
A licensed agent from Senator Realty will call you shortly. Prefer to talk now? Call (718) 569-2020.
Selling a home in Southampton: questions
How does the Peconic Bay CPF tax work in Southampton?
The town says it is a 2.5 percent transfer tax, including a 0.5 percent community housing fund tax. Where the price is $2,000,000 or less, the first $400,000 of an improved residential parcel and the first $100,000 of a vacant one are exempt. It is paid at closing and filed with the deed at the Suffolk County Clerk.
Can my buyer rent the house out for summer weekends?
Not as weekend stays. The town requires a rental permit for any rental and sets a two-week minimum stay. Villages may have their own rules, so check if you are inside one.
Who sets my assessment, and when can I grieve it?
The Town Assessor's Office produces the town's assessment roll. New York State says Suffolk town Boards of Assessment Review meet on the third Tuesday in May. Villages that assess property set their own dates.
Official sources for Southampton sellers
- Town of Southampton: Historic Division (1640 origins)
- Town of Southampton: Community Preservation Fund FAQ
- Town of Southampton: Rental Permits FAQ
- Town of Southampton: Landmarks and Historic Districts Board
- Town of Southampton Building and Zoning Division
- Village of Southampton: Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board