On this steamy NYC day, the North Fork is calling

If you're like us, you're spending much of your post-Fourth of July week daydreaming about getting back onto the beach ... maybe for longer next time.

While perusing some nearby vacation homes, we found this three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom house in Southold, on the North Fork of Long Island (which is much less sceney, but every bit as beautiful as, the Hamptons), which comes with access to a private beach. And did we mention it's under $500,000?