Real LI

A venture capitalist wants a second viewing of a Billy Joel's Centre Island estate after seeing the posh compound on Saturday, said broker Shawn Elliott.

"The views were ridiculous," said the owner of Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes and Estates, based in Woodbury. "He couldn't believe the views."

The singer wants his Middlesea estate to bring in $32.5 million, down from $37.5 million when he first put it on the market in September 2006.

The 14 acres cover a guest house, a beach house and the big house -- and that's why the house hunter wants a second look, probably this month.

"It's a lot to take in in one visit," Elliott said.

The broker was mum on the guy's identity but said he brings foreign investors into deals in this country.

With housing prices going down and the dollar falling in value, Europeans with euros to spare have been searching for bargains here in the same way U.S. residents go to Mexico for inexpensive vacations and properties.

The foreign angle is being touted by Elliott as he tries to convince Billy Joel's people that he can represent Middlesea and find a buyer. Recently, he and Joel's representatives had a sitdown talk, now that the property is off the listings of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty.

"I have a lot of European contacts with the way the euro is," the businessman said. "I'm playing that card. That's what I bring to the table."

Newsday photo / David L. Pokress