By Michael Calderone

July 17, 2005 | 8:00 p.m

Former CNN morning-show anchor Bill Hemmer still doesn't know-or hasn't said-what his next gig will be. Since mid-May, he's been in "negotiations" with other networks. (He's said to be a dark-horse candidate for the CBS Evening News.)

But there are more pressing matters before the coltish anchor-like the summer of '05. Mr. Hemmer recently sealed the deal on a Hamptons house for $1.75 million, according to deed-transfer records. He paid $55,000 above asking for the lavish spread, not far from Noyack Bay. Let the Summer of Bill begin! At just over 2,500 square feet, the contemporary home is located on almost 2.4 acres of rolling lawns and lush greenery. The vast open space offers plenty of room for quiet contemplation, tending one's own garden and bootylicious keggers. The four-bedroom home includes a two-story living room, a glass-walled dining room, an eat-in kitchen, French doors and a den with a fireplace. There's also an oversized heated pool outside with a brick terrace and a hot tub. Listing broker Geoff Hull, of Allan Schneider Associates, didn't return calls for comment. The deal closed on June 3, just three days before CNN announced Miles O'Brien as Mr. Hemmer's replacement on American Morning, one of many shakeups since Jonathan Klein became CNN U.S. president last November. Mr. Hemmer-affectionately dubbed the "Chad Lad" for his Florida recount dispatches in 2000-spent 10 years at CNN before his departure on June 17. Through his agent, Mr. Hemmer declined to comment on the purchase and on his job prospects. W e hope that summer fun doesn't turn dark on Mr. Hemmer, as it did for party boy Michael Davis. Remember him? He's the guy at London Terrace who allegedly stole from tenants, walked through the halls "half-naked" (which half? We always wonder), blasted music and had sex with a homeless man in the showers of the co-op's health club. In a landmark case, Housing Court judge Gerald Lebovits permitted the co-op board to terminate Mr. Davis' proprietary lease for "objectionable behavior." It's been a hard few months for London Terrace. In late December, cultural critic and longtime resident Susan Sontag passed away. Less than two months later, over 160 apartments at 465 West 23rd Street were left without use of their stoves and ovens thanks to a gas line that was ruptured during the construction of Amy Sacco's new restaurant, Bette. Also, in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the board of managers, resident Cheri Dorr alleged that her studio apartment was filled with mold and asbestos. Currently Ms. Sacco's posh eatery is open for business, the gas is turned back on upstairs, and Mr. Davis is finally gone, having recently sold his 500-square-foot studio for around $400,000-almost 10 times what he paid for it in 1993. "The prime motivation was to truly assist this man in making sure that his best interests were kept in mind," said Bruce Solomon, a vice president at Prudential Douglas Elliman who represented the dispossessed Mr. Davis-and got him quite a payday. Mr. Solomon also represented gallery owner Paula Cooper and her husband, publisher John MacRae, in their recent purchase of photographer Annie Leibovitz's two penthouses, as reported in the July 3 New York Times. The art-loving couple now joins celebrity tenants Debbie Harry and Chelsea Clinton in the 75-year-old co-op. Chiqui Gavilan and Marisa Chaves of the Corcoran Group represented Gwyeth Smith, an equities trader, who was searching for a place in Manhattan. Mr. Davis' apartment-in a horrific state-was listed for $398,000. Although it suited Mr. Smith's price range, the apartment came with a warning about the dilapidated condition (garbage and vermin included). Mr. Smith brought a few family members over to determine whether the apartment was worth the money. His stepfather, who has a history of restoring houses, and a contractor cousin were enlisted to examine the studio (which is one floor above Bette). The family experts deemed it structurally sound, and Mr. Smith bought it. He began with bleach and completed a thorough scrubbing to eradicate the obnoxious odor. He then cleared out all the appliances, put a new floor in the kitchen, sanded, painted and performed the much-needed spackle work. "For the most part, it was cosmetic," said Mr. Smith, who is content with the renovation so far and hopes to be moved in by the end of the month. O ver at the Beekman Regent, a celebrity couple found a quicker way to pull in a buyer for their luxury condo-simply drop the price. In February, television producer Shelly Ross and her husband, music executive David Simone, put their 1,700-square-foot condo on the market for $2.85 million, listing it with brokers Sheila Lokitz and Elliot Lokitz of the Corcoran Group. But after a few months, the apartment wouldn't budge, forcing a price drop to $2.5 million. That spurred interest from buyers, and the apartment has now gone to contract and is expected to close in mid-September. Ms. Lokitz declined to comment on the final price. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment includes stainless-steel appliances, cherrywood cabinetry, marble windowsills and mahogany hardwood floors. The white-glove building-home to celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse-features a 24-hour doorman and concierge, a fitness center and a garage. Ms. Ross, who left Primetime Live in March, produces programs for ABC News. Mr. Simone is the former president of PolyGram Music Publishing.   Recent Transactions in the Real Estate Market Upper East Side 300 East 77th Street Three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom condo. Asking: $3.3 million. Selling: $3.305 million. Charges: $1,672. Taxes: $3,600. Time on the market: nine months. BARTER OF SEVILLE  When Laurance Kaiser IV, president of Key-Ventures Realty, showed this recently married couple a sleek 2,289-square-foot apartment in the Seville, they fell head over heels. The kitchen features cherry cabinets, black granite countertops and a slate floor. Located on a high floor, the apartment offers superb views with south, east and west exposures. "It had great light, and it had an open view," said Eileen Foy of Prudential Douglas Elliman, who represented the seller, a single, bicoastal financial consultant who lives in New York and San Francisco. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, the 32-story tower includes a doorman, swimming pool, fitness club, media room, outdoor terrace and valet service.