BUY THE FARM

IT was four years ago this week when we first reported that Three Ponds Farm in Bridgehampton was going on the market for $75 million. But now it’s priced to sell, with a new $68 million asking price.

Back in 2003, the whopping sum for the 60-acre property had most industry watchers doubting that such a lofty price could be had for a residence anywhere in the world, much less for a north-of-the-highway Hamptons home.

Since then, however, we’ve seen a $103 million transaction for a 40-acre East Hampton estate (granted, it’s oceanfront) and several properties with $50 million to $80 million asking prices. Even the concentration of wealth has been somewhat blurred between the south and north sides of Montauk Highway.

“It’s the best buy in the Hamptons right now, and a steal at that price,” says Corcoran Group exclusive broker Susan Breitenbach, who’s also just re-listed Christie Brinkley’s 20-acre Tower Hill estate just down Scuttle Hole Road for $30 million.

The mostly landscaped Three Ponds Farm, owned by Cheryl Gordon Krongard, features a USGA-rated 18-hole golf course designed by renowned links architect Rees Jones and a custom eight-bedroom mansion with approximately 25,000 square feet of interior space.

Outbuildings include a guest cottage on 4 acres, a pro shop, a pool house, barns and an orangerie. Also on the grounds are a 75-foot “flush-edge” pool with its own pavilion, a grass tennis court, 14 professionally designed gardens and three ponds stocked with bass, perch and pickerel.

Now we’re waiting to see if financier Martin Zweig follows suit by dropping the $70 million he’s been asking since 2004 for his 16-room triplex atop the Pierre hotel.

M*A*S*H note

Is Alan Alda cutting down on his household help? The “M*A*S*H” icon has listed the three-bedroom, 21/2-bath Sag Harbor home – where he’s been housing his maids and nannies for the past few years – for $799,000.

Alda paid $680,000 for the two-story Noyac Road home, located a few miles from his and wife Arlene’s Water Mill estate, in 2004.

Andrew Saunders of Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.

Patricia’s pad

We now know why Patricia Clarkson was recently spotted at Home Depot. She’s got a new apartment to spruce up.

According to city records, the actress, who’s just returned from Spain after shooting a Woody Allen movie with Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz, has just bought a loft in the Village for $1.55 million.

The movie and television star, whose flicks have included “The Untouchables” and most recently “No Reservations,” has closed on a 1,600-square-foot loft off Fifth Avenue on 13th Street. The one-bedroom, two-bath co-op, with high ceilings and custom built-ins, features a master bedroom with a study, a walk-in closet and a garden view.

The apartment originally had a $1.65 million asking price.

Stop, thief!

Newsday’s befuddled real-estate reporters are steamed that The Post keeps scooping them on their own turf. So they’ve taken to simply stealing our items.

After we reported that Christie Brinkley listed her Bridgehampton estate for $30 million, the Long Island daily quickly posted the news on its Web site without attributing us.

When we reported that Mariah Carey was renting Tommy Hilfiger’s place in East Hampton, Newsday’s Laura Mann revealed a week later that “a source” said that Carey rented from the fashion mogul.

Also among the numerous purloined pieces by the deceitful daily are Donny Deutsch’s purchase of a $29 million estate in East Hampton and Billy Joel buying Roy Scheider’s home in Sagaponack.

“We don’t print or post anything that we haven’t reported through our own sources,” responded Newsday’s editor, John Mancini.

Well, we’re glad to hear that their “sources” read us first. Hey, guys, have you heard about Three Ponds Farm?