700 Gin Lane, Southold, NY 11971

Okay, I have to call you right now because I just walked into a house and I’m kind of… excited? Like, where was this one hiding while we’ve been touring all those “cute but…” places? You know how every other house has been some version of: “Love the idea, hate the layout,” or “Great location, but it feels cramped,” or “Nice kitchen… if you enjoy standing on top of people,” or “Outdoor space… if you count two sad patio chairs and a grill wedged into a corner.” This one is different. First off, it has this wide front porch and the house sits a little elevated from the street, so it immediately feels quieter—like you’re not on display for every dog-walker and leaf-blower within a half mile. There’s a big maple tree, a nice yard, and I swear you can hear the waves rolling from a few houses down. It’s that calm, coastal background sound that makes you feel like your blood pressure just… drops. And inside? The layout is what we’ve been begging for. The kitchen finally makes sense. It’s got the island for prep, but there’s also a separate counter/bar seating area, so everyone can hang out near the kitchen without crowding whoever’s cooking. And the genius part? From the barstools you can still see the TV over the fireplace, so people can snack, talk, watch something, everybody’s in the same space but not bumping elbows like we’re working a brunch shift. Also, remember how I keep saying, “Where do the towels go?” This house answers that. The laundry is right off the kitchen in the mudroom, so beach towels and pool towels go straight in. It’s still laundry, but it’s the kind that doesn’t take over your whole life because the setup isn’t fighting you. Then the main living/dining area is open and it just feels… way bigger than you expect. Like, it has that “everyone can be together” vibe without feeling like one giant echo chamber. It’s actually a real hangout house. Now the bedroom situation, this is where I was like, okay, someone thought this through. There’s a main-floor suite with a walk-in closet and a bathroom that feels legitimately spa-ish: soaking tub, separate shower, and that pebble stone shower floor that makes it feel high-end without trying too hard. And then upstairs there’s another suite, so guests have an actual suite option too—plus two more bedrooms and a full bath, and one of those has interior access so it almost reads like three en-suite options depending on how you set it up. It’s perfect for guests, kids, parents visiting, all of it. And the backyard, listen. There’s a covered porch overlooking the pool, and beyond the fence is this maple forest they can’t build on. That part alone is huge. No future construction ruining the vibe, no “surprise” new neighbor looming over the yard. Just pool, grill, fire pit… and actual privacy. And you get multiple beach choices nearby. Like: a neighborhood sandy beach with picnic tables and sunset breeze vibes, S. Harbour Rd. Beach around the corner—which I think is the widest sandy beach I’ve seen out here, and Goose Creek Beach is only a few minutes away if you want a third option. Plus, because life isn’t just beaches, Croteau Vineyard is close, and it has that French-country vibe and a rosé situation that’s… extremely persuasive. And here’s the practical thing that keeps popping up in our search: it has a full dry basement, and even though you’re near the water, it’s not in a flood zone. That’s the kind of detail that makes you breathe again. Honestly? After all the houses I have seen that needed layout fixes, compromises, or “we could make it work” speeches… this one feels like the first house that already works. And it actually seems priced like they understand current market conditions, not like they’re still trying to cash in on peak frenzy. So yeah. I’m telling you now because if this one checks out the way it feels in person… might finally be done with the house hunting in Southold.