Wall Street's Bonus Season Is Already Reshaping the Hamptons Market

Bonus Checks Are Hitting. So Are the Offers.

Every February, there's a predictable rhythm to the Hamptons real estate market. Wall Street pays out, and within weeks the phones start ringing. This year is no different, except the numbers are bigger across the board.

2025 was a banner year on the Street. Goldman Sachs posted its best results since 2021, Morgan Stanley's wealth management division crushed expectations, and the hedge fund world had one of its strongest performance years in a decade. Those bonuses are now clearing, and a significant chunk of that capital is flowing straight to the East End.

We're seeing it in real time. Buyer inquiries for properties above $5 million are up noticeably compared to this time last year. And the activity isn't just concentrated in the usual spots.

West of the Canal: The Breakout Story

The most interesting trend from 2025 carried into this year. Areas west of the Shinnecock Canal, from Hampton Bays through Quogue and Remsenburg, saw prices jump 25% last year according to Brown Harris Stevens data. That's not a typo. Twenty-five percent in a single year, compared to roughly 5% growth in established eastern towns like Southampton and Montauk.

Why? Simple economics. A buyer who wants oceanfront or waterfront but can't justify $30 million for Meadow Lane is discovering that Hampton Bays and Quogue offer legitimate beach access, beautiful homes, and significantly more value. A waterfront property in Quogue that sold for $4 million three years ago might trade for $5.5 million today. That's still a fraction of what comparable footage costs in Bridgehampton or East Hampton.

Don't sleep on this corridor. It's where the smart money is going.

The Rental Market Tells the Same Story

If you want a leading indicator for where the sales market is headed, look at rentals. And right now, the rental market is screaming.

Summer 2026 properties are booking months ahead of the normal timeline. The most desirable homes (pools, modern kitchens, prime locations) were spoken for before Valentine's Day. That's unusual even by Hamptons standards.

The pricing reflects it:

Here's what's changed. July has overtaken August as the peak demand month. Renters are planning further out than ever. And the overlap between renters and future buyers keeps growing. A family that rents in Sag Harbor for two summers often becomes a buyer in year three. That pipeline is robust right now.

Record Prices Aren't Scaring Anyone Off

The Hamptons closed 2025 with a median sale price around $2.3 million and average luxury sales approaching $3.8 million. Properties above $5 million are selling faster than they did a year ago, with days on market down roughly 15% in that segment.

Inventory remains historically tight. There simply aren't enough quality listings to meet demand, particularly for oceanfront and waterfront. When a well-priced property hits the market in East Hampton, Bridgehampton, or Sagaponack, it's not uncommon to see multiple offers within the first week.

And it's not just the trophy segment. The $2 million to $5 million range, which represents the core of the market, is equally competitive. Buyers in this bracket are often the bonus-season crowd: finance professionals who've been renting and are ready to make the leap to ownership.

Where the Action Is Right Now

East Hampton remains the gravitational center. Lily Pond Lane, Further Lane, and the lanes off Main Beach continue to set records. Last year's $121.5 million Cobb Lane trade raised the ceiling for the entire market, and the ripple effects are still being felt.

Sag Harbor is seeing intense demand for village properties with waterfront or harbor views. A restored 4-bedroom on Bay Street just listed at $5.95 million, which tells you where pricing has moved for premium village locations. Dock access adds a significant premium, and those properties are nearly impossible to find.

Bridgehampton keeps gaining ground. The Surfside Drive corridor produced multiple $20 million-plus trades in 2025, and the combination of ocean bluffs, equestrian culture, and proximity to restaurants and shops makes it increasingly attractive.

Amagansett is having a moment too. A recently renovated compound at 74 Cranberry Hole Road just listed for $10.9 million. Properties like this, with modern renovation and serious acreage, are exactly what today's buyers want.

What This Means If You're Looking to Buy

Don't wait for spring to start looking. The best properties are trading now, and many of the most significant opportunities never reach the public market. At Hedgerow, roughly a third of our volume happens off-market, through private networks and relationships built over years.

If you're a bonus-season buyer thinking about the Hamptons, here's my advice: get pre-qualified, identify your target area, and have a broker who can show you inventory that isn't on Zillow. The competition is real, but the opportunity is equally real. Hamptons real estate, particularly oceanfront and waterfront, has proven to be one of the most resilient luxury asset classes in the country.

For sellers, this is as strong a market as we've seen. Pricing is at historic highs, demand is deep, and the window is wide open. If you've been considering a sale, a confidential conversation about positioning and timing could make a meaningful difference in your outcome.

Barry McGovern is a luxury real estate broker and oceanfront and waterfront specialist at Hedgerow Exclusive Properties. Call 646-339-0154.