By Isabella Milano By Isabella Milano | June 24, 2024 | Home & Real Estate, Home & Real Estate Feature, Home & Real Estate,
With decades of impressive sales performance and renowned expertise, associate real estate broker Gary Depersia offers insight into what it means to be at the forefront of the industry.
What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your job?
The magic, for me, is in the mix of what the day brings. Imagine getting up in the morning and not knowing all the places you might be that day, who you will be working with or what you will be working on. One day may start with a closing in Bridgehampton; then showing a small beachside cottage for rent in Amagansett; and later touring my exclusive sale listing of an exceptional 14,000- square-foot pond-front, ocean-view house in Sagaponack. Most of all, I help people make some of the most important decisions of their lives.
A favorite for DePersia, this East Hampton home is complete with an expansive outdoor pool and opulent indoors to match.
What sets your work apart from other real estate brokers in the industry?
I work with some of the industry’s most outstanding brokers. Many are colleagues at Corcoran and other brokerages with whom I have worked for almost 30 years. Initially, what set me apart was my willingness to not only work around my East Hampton office but to expand my range while building a business from Southampton to Montauk and from Sagaponack to Shelter Island. Years ago, brokers had less latitude in the geography they covered. The depth and varied content of my marketing eff orts as well as referrals from past clients and out of area brokers have also been a big part of my success.
A favorite for DePersia, this East Hampton home is complete with an expansive outdoor pool and opulent indoors to match.
How did you first get started in the real estate industry?
I had been coming out East to windsurf since the mid-’80s, and I would rent a house for five or six months. In the early ’90s, I met someone who lived here and had just gotten into real estate. Soon after, I realized the Hamptons and real estate would be a perfect segue from Manhattan and my textile business. In 1995, I joined Allan M. Schneider Associates, which Corcoran purchased in 2006. I have stayed since. I know it is cliche to say this, but it was the best move I have ever made. I cannot imagine where I would be today if I did not take that chance.
What neighborhood are you loving right now?
Everyone has their own idea of what their Hampton experience will be. That is what makes the Hamptons and this business so great. So, while I do not have a favorite neighborhood, I must admit, after living in Sag Harbor for many years, it is a perfect location for me and for others judging by the increased activity and rising prices.
Do you have any outstanding latest listings to share with us?
One of my favorite listings is a turnkey estate on Hither Lane in East Hampton. New to the market and for just under $25 million, it was designed and built by James Michael Howard. The listing is his seventh venture in the Hamptons since 2007. Each of his houses is a masterpiece with curated and bespoke furnishings. I have been fortunate to be a listing broker for all of them and even more fortunate to sell three of his six previous homes to my own buyers. His houses have become the gifts that keep on giving as I was fortunate to resell one of them to yet another buyer and to list a couple of them year after year for rent.
Gary DePersia
What makes this listing stand out from others in the market?
Today, developers typically stage new spec houses. Jim Howard goes well above and beyond that. It is as if he is furnishing the home of one of his many billionaire clients, who he serves nationwide. The furnishings, finishes and creativity are unlike most houses you have ever seen for sale. For the buyer who does not have the energy or bandwidth to decorate a house, all they need to do is bring their clothes and toothbrush and start using their new home immediately.
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF MEDIAHAMPTONS