For over four decades, Laura White has been a well-known name in Hamptons real estate. She has built a reputation on her extensive knowledge, dedication, and strong connection to the area she calls home. From her early days as a student at Southampton College, where she studied environmental science, to her current role as a top broker, Laura’s journey has been driven by her love for the Hamptons and its mix of natural beauty and luxury living. In this interview, White looks back on her career that began in 1976. She shares how she moved from environmental science to real estate and how her background influences her approach to land use, waterfront properties, and building lasting relationships with clients. With insights into the changing luxury market and market shifts, Laura gives a unique look into the life of one of the Hamptons’ most successful real estate professionals.
You’ve had an impressive 40+ year career in Hamptons real estate. What first attracted you to this career, and what has kept you passionate about it over the years?
I fell in love with the Hamptons when I moved here in 1976 to attend Southampton College and study environmental science, then Stony Brook University for Regional Planning. I took my learned skills and knowledge into the sales sector after a short stint at the Nature Conservancy. Counting wildlife alone on the deep estuaries of Shelter Island — not great for an extrovert. I was offered a two-year opportunity to sell a new condominium complex on Mecox Bay. I jumped at the chance to spend time looking at an estuary instead of wading through it. Sales is either in your blood or not. The desire to transact will always excite and motivate me — I’m a doer and probably always will be.
How has your background in environmental sciences and regional planning influenced your approach to real estate, especially when assessing land use and waterfront properties?
In every aspect. When I view a property, especially waterfront, I’m wearing many hats. I’m not just looking at decorations. First is the locals cap: what’s the neighborhood like, and what are my clients looking for. Second is the builder’s hard hat: assessing the buildability or conditions and improvements to an existing structure, then the real estate hat: knowledge to evaluate comparable properties to create a current market price, including all of the above. I don’t take anything at face value. Regarding waterfront specifically, the new FEMA regulations are a complex web. The closer you get to water, the more regulations, ordinances, laws, and agencies come into play.
You’ve worked at both boutique firms and larger brokerages. What led you to become a founding agent at Saunders & Associates, and how has that choice influenced your career?
I understood and believed — and still believe — in the vision that Andrew and Colleen Saunders had in founding the firm — a local, concierge service that treats agents like clients. Andrew, Colleen, and I have worked together for years — having their input and attention is invaluable, and that direct access means I can move faster. The opportunity to work with an in-house marketing and admin team. Attention, dependable, highly focused — I’m lucky to have such a phenomenal team.
Having experienced both booming markets and downturns, what lessons have been the most valuable during market changes? How do you advise clients during uncertain times?
Patience and perseverance — you can’t create your marketplace; you need to work within a given market. Hamptons markets are always changing, and I advise my clients to consider what the market is telling them. For example, we’re seeing it post-COVID with rental prices that need to be brought back to the market rate.
You’re ranked in the top 1% of agents nationwide according to RealTrends – congratulations! In your view, what sets a top-producing Hamptons agent apart from others?
Thanks (it’s the top .05%, but who’s counting?). Knowledge of the marketplace, not just in the past but today, tomorrow, and in five years, is essential. Keeping current with what is happening in that marketplace is also critical. Beyond the market, real estate really is about relationships, and maintaining connections with clients and customers is essential — I’ve had buyers start small and build up as their life and lifestyle needs grow.
Amazing! What trends are you observing in the Hamptons luxury market regarding buyer demographics, sought-after property features, or popular locations?
Buyers and sellers are more informed than ever, and they will move on quickly from a broker who isn’t up-to-date. What’s new to the market, what’s not selling, what’s off-market, town regulations — all of it. You’ve got to have answers. Design-wise, I’ve seen an uptick in interest in traditional homes that tracks with the Hamptons becoming more and more of a year-round destination. Traditional homes add more warmth and livability, so you can escape to the Hamptons for a weekend or holiday in the off-season.
How have waterfront regulations and zoning changes developed in recent years? What should buyers and sellers know before investing in a waterfront property?
I’ll mention something a lawyer once said to me: “Have you heard of global warming?” Work with an agent who has real waterfront experience — remember, anyone can say “waterfront expert.” On a practical level, many brokers are not in tune with the current FEMA regulations — it’s an essential component to buying, selling, or building on the water. Just today, I had a broker’s only waterfront open house with six brokers attending — not a single one asked me what FEMA zone the property was in. That’s my first question.
What do you believe is the key to balancing development with environmental consideration in the Hamptons?
The Peconic Land Trust has been a huge boon to preserving green space, nature reserves, and scenic locations all around Suffolk County. The Towns of East Hampton and Southampton have been really incredible about preserving view corridors in environmentally sensitive locations in the last few decades. So much of what makes the Hamptons the Hamptons is the natural environment. Buyers are happy to know that their taxes fund protecting the natural setting and, in turn, the long-term value of their real estate investment.
You’re recognized for working with both high-net-worth clients and first-time buyers. How do you adjust your approach based on the client?
That’s easy: I don’t make any changes. The approach is the same. I make it my mission, and have throughout my career, to work with all referrals from any client, friend, or guy on the street. I must provide the best advice and guidance I can, no matter the size or price point. And, if you’re looking for a starter home in Springs or an estate in Sagaponack, you need an agent who makes you a priority. And remember, many of my clients have started small and traded up over the years — had I not given them my full attention and best advice, would they have been calling when it’s time to sell?
You’ve built a reputation for repeat clients and referrals. What do you think fosters that long-term trust, and how do you keep those relationships going after closing?
Luckily, the human side of real estate is much less opaque than waterfront zoning. It’s pretty simple: honesty and availability. I am honest in every aspect of the relationship and available to my clients at any time. Buying and selling a home is a big step — trust is everything. Trust that my advice is always in their best interest and that I will always make time for them.
Your skill in organizing and uniting people — even when it comes to protecting local farmland — demonstrates a unique talent. How do you bring people together around a common goal in a high-stakes environment?
That was an exceptionally rare moment, but one I will always be proud of. I brought together nearly a dozen adjacent homeowners to buy reserve bordering their property and convert it to an organic farm. Their purchase was to their mutual enjoyment and to protect the value of their real estate — a rare win-win-win. That said, as a real estate agent, my singular mandate (and fiduciary obligation) is to advise my clients in their best interests; ultimately, “bringing people together” is nice, but secondary.
You’ve designed and built more than a dozen speculative homes. How has that hands-on experience shaped how you help clients evaluate construction potential?
My late husband, Bill White, was a local architect, and we worked amazingly well together, with me selecting premier properties to visualize his compelling design. I’ve collaborated with professionals in every aspect of building — I’ve been in the shoes of a developer, a buyer, and a seller. I’ve experienced every step: land acquisition, design, marketing, even self-representation. Unless you’ve walked the walk, you really can’t talk the talk.
So sorry for your loss, Laura. As an avid sailor, you often show properties from the water. How does that different perspective help clients view the Hamptons in a new light — and possibly fall in love with a property they might have overlooked?
Well, after a bottle of rosé, everything looks rosier! Don’t worry; I know a captain. And will your readers think this is an invitation to the boat? It’s not big enough! But, to answer your question, looking back at land from the water brings an entirely new perspective and appreciation for the architecture, location, and environment, and how they interact. For many boat lovers exploring waterfront opportunities in the Hamptons, the relationship to water is a way of life and often a focal point of day-to-day experiences.
What keeps you inspired and motivated after four decades in the business?
My phone keeps ringing! I’m blessed because I still love the process and working with people. Many of my clients and customers are friends — I’ve seen their children grow up in the homes I helped find or even build. Now, after 40 years in Hamptons real estate, I have the honor to represent and advise those children, now adults, through their real estate journey.
Where do you see the Hamptons market — and your role — going in the next five years?
Every year, the Hamptons becomes more of a year-round community and market as the values of homes continue to rise in our location. I’ve been a year-round resident since 1976 and have seen so many changes in that time. I’m grateful to have been part of those eras and times and to see how the year-round culture keeps growing.
Learn more about White by visiting hamptonsrealestate.com.
