Planning a Hamptons summer getaway

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - The first warm weekend of the year is when people turn their attention to the Hamptons, start going to open houses, and snap up great summer rentals, according to Out East GM Matt Daimler. That weekend is finally here, the hunt for Hamptons housing is on, and there's a new way to do it this year, thanks to StreetEasy.com.

Out East is StreetEasy's first site dedicated to the Hamptons. Users can search for sales or rentals on eastern Long Island by location. Matt says East Hampton is the No. 1 search so far.

If you're looking for a summer rental, be prepared to pay upwards of $20,000. Matt says Memorial Day to Labor Day rentals are somewhere between $23,000 and $27,000. That gives most people sticker shock. But he says that when you break it down, that is the cost for a home with multiple bedrooms for 15 weekends. And it isn't much more expensive than a hotel.

Head north of Montauk Highway for better deals. Matt says there is a lot of opportunity there. In fact, Sag Harbor is on their list of top-five searches this year and is a great location north of the highway.

The North Fork isn't even on the list of places people are searching. That means you could find good opportunities and good value for a great summer vacation, Matt says.

If you're looking for the best value on a shorter term rental, consider booking in June. It's a quieter month because the schools haven't let out yet but the weather can be unpredictable. So be prepared for cooler temperatures or some rain.

Never been out east before? Not a problem. Out East has guides that tell you what to do and what to expect. Learn more about the beaches, nightlife, and restaurants to get a feel for the different areas.

Matt says you shouldn't think of the Hamptons as one destination. The individual towns have their own specialties and feelings. Use Out East to find the one that's right for you.