Property Index
What this shows
The Hamptons has performed as a genuine investment asset over the past decade — not just a lifestyle purchase. Indexed against eight alternative asset classes, Hamptons real estate has held its own and, in key periods, outperformed.
The NFT line tells the cautionary tale. The fine wine index peaked in 2022 then gave back significant gains. The Hamptons held value through both periods.
The Hamptons advantage
Unlike financial assets, Hamptons real estate generates income while you hold it. A well-positioned property can return $200,000–$250,000 in seasonal rental income annually — an effective yield that no index on this chart produces.
You also can't panic-sell it. The illiquidity that looks like a limitation is the same friction that protects long-term holders from volatility. The constraint is the strategy.
Methodology
Median sale price
Primary value metric. Annual median across all Hamptons markets from three major brokerage reports.
Total closings
Demand signal. High closings reflect buyer conviction. Falling closings signal hesitation regardless of price.
Days on market
Velocity metric. Shorter DOM indicates seller's market and pricing power. Rising DOM signals softening.
Total inventory
Supply signal. Low inventory drives price appreciation. Rising inventory signals potential softening ahead.