Martha’s Vineyard Real Estate

Well, we thought we’d have a white Christmas this year, but the snow is melting fast - as it usually does. Still, it was wonderful to wake up a few days ago and have everything be so beautifully white. The Vineyard is always beautiful - even when it’s cold, the leaves are gone and the sun isn’t shining - to me.

And, as always, our wonderful island community comes together to put on a show. This year, it was Edgartown’s Enchanted Christmas that really pulled on my heart strings.

On a cold night last week, families from all over the island gathered for this special parade of lights and treats - reminding us that if there’s one thing you can say about Vineyarders, it’s that we’re made of hearty stock! The wind was blowing, but kids and adults were dressed warm and wandered around the grounds greeting old friends and spreading holiday cheer.

My favorite part is the room that houses the ultimate Christmas scene…miniatures creating an entire village with Main Street, houses, horse drawn carriages, farms, kids skating on the pond  - the detail is so complete, you can get lost in this old town scene.

Everyone stares in wonder, and then, looks around our own little village to see an almost exact replica - if not physically, then certainly in spirit.

Merry Christmas!

I’ve talked to a lot of sellers recently who are worried about selling their home during this economic turndown (cough, cough), recession or whatever the news media is calling it today. Here are some tips to make sure your house sells:

1. With nerves playing a big part on both sides, I recommend bringing in a tough house inspector before you put the house on the market as well. This way there will be no surprises that could send a promising buyer running.
2. Then, take care of any repairs and maintenance before you put the house on the market. Buyers are likely able to handle the mortgage payment, but not interested in fixing anything up.
3. Stay positive. Did you know that many businesses boom during recessions? Even during the Great Depression of the 1930’s, companies like Proctor & Gamble and Chevrolet saw increases in revenue because they maintained the attitude that nothing was wrong.
4. Encourage your realtor to market and promote your property - insist on this even if s/he would like to keep costs down. The companies I mentioned above - P&G and Chevrolet had another major tactic in common - they both ramped up their marketing efforts despite the recession.
5. Use a realtor with a solid reputation. Again, with instability in the market and for both the buyer and seller, find as much stability as possible. A real estate broker with a proven record and the esteem and respect of his/her community is the perfect steady hand.

It’s true: you can prevent Lyme’s Disease.

That’s the good news. It’s no secret that Martha’s Vineyard is known for its abundance of ticks and the disease - brought on by wide open spaces and forests that make deer, mice and ticks plentiful and the fact that island temps rarely dip below freezing which renders the ticks actionless.

A new group, the Martha’s Vineyard Lyme Disease Association (MLVDA), has recently formed and includes business people, health officials and residents - all interested in protecting islanders and the wonderful tourists that fill our island all summer.

So, how is Lyme’s preventable? It takes 24-72 hours for a tick carrying Lyme’s to transfer the disease to a person - so if people do regular tick checks everyday, they’ll be able to avoid the disease.

This is certainly a rule in our household. It’s so easy to check yourself or have someone else check you - and so worth it.

The MVLDA will be spreading this word around the island - so expect to see reminders and more safety tips appear before your eyes…even at local restaurants, hotels and shops.

When you live on an island, and the ferry is your main way on and off, it feels pretty good to know that they’re covering their bases. In this case, it’s about fuel.

We all watched the fuel prices soar and are now relieved that they’ve fallen down to ‘acceptable’ numbers. But the Steamship Authority, has taken measures to protect themselves from any future hikes.

With a 15 cent per gallon hedge insurance measure, we - the passengers - are protected from the passenger and car fee hikes we saw last summer when fuel prices spiraled upwards. And, the SSA still gets to benefit from dropping fuel prices.

Phew - some stability and steadiness in the midst of rough water.

As previously mentioned, I’m going to be giving a run-down of all the island schools…

Even after all of these years living on the island, when I hear the words, ‘Oak Bluffs’ images of Circuit Ave with its lights, music and Flying horses jump to mind. But, like every town on the Vineyard - families and schools are the cornerstones…behind the scenes but mainstays for all year round activity.

The Oak Bluffs School (OBS) was built in 1761 and originally attended by children from the whole island. Today, OBS houses students in grades K-8 and is open to only OB residents. The school has a population of over 460 and operates from a new $12.9 million, state-of-the-art facility. Encouraging community-involvement at every level, OBS garners support from townspeople and parents, and it’s governed by a three-member, elected school committee.

For curriculum, all classrooms teach math, science, social studies, reading, writing and the arts. The school encourages researched-based and publishing-intended writing for all students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Additionally, teachers work closely with parents to support individual student needs.

The school believes social behavior should be taught in a caring and supportive environment and does everything in its power to create that. And, true to the Island, the Oak Bluffs community supports the learning of locally grown, and the OBS student body is very involved in the Island’s Farm to School program.

The school’s weekly newsletter is called Carousel and presents the weekly happenings and news for every student and parent.

The Vineyard, it seems, is one of the last great secrets and not just during the summer when our population spirals up towards 75,000. Everyone knows this is the place to go for the warm season. But, our year round population of 15,000 is pretty special.

Contrary to popular belief (and sometimes I think these rumors are fueled by us islanders), the Island does not go to sleep in the winter. It’s just not true and I’ll tell you why: kids, families, schools. The Vineyard features seven incredible and diverse schools that serve as a focal point for each town and the community at large.

Case in point?

• The 4th grade plays that the renowned Vineyard Playhouse creates entire performances (writing, directing, set and costume design, lighting, sound, acting) in collaboration with every 4th grade class on the island each spring.
• The Elves Faire full of crafts, activities, a huge silent auction and great food organized by the Plum Hill Preschool during the winter holidays.
• The wildest, themed scarecrow contest held by the Charter School each fall.

I could go on and on…but I won’t!

What I will do is tell you that each of these amazing schools offers a very unique Vineyard experience - just like each town does. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be giving you my perspective on each school. A primer of sorts for those of you thinking about relocating…and wondering what it will be like for the whole family. Enjoy!

With the island’s beautiful pastures, old barns and farmhouses, Martha’s Vineyard is truly a horse-lovers heaven. My girls, Aly and Rosie, grew up on island horses and in island stables - and I was the consummate ‘barn mom.’

One well-known island barn is Arrowhead Head Farm, which is owned and operated by the Douglas family, the family behind the famous Black Dog brand.  Located in West Tisbury, Arrowhead Farm is equipped with 36 acres of grass fields, a lighted indoor arena, lessons for all ages and levels, summer camps, regular trips to Ireland and more.

Other barns on the island that provide lessons and activities include Red Pony Farm (508.693.3788) and Pondview Farm (508.693.2949). Without fail, each island stable is surrounded by the island’s beauty. Breathtaking trailrides on the beach are common fare.

Of course, many private properties, both for sale and available for exclusive rentals, include stables and bountiful acres for roaming privately.

The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, located in Oak Bluffs, is building a new 90,000 square foot facility. It will feature two floors of state-of-the-art services and new technology. The new building is being built with the intention of careful focus on patient-centered care.

This display of new motivation for a healing environment with expanded services and increased possibilities shows the beginning of the next generation of health care on Martha’s Vineyard.

The innovative change is solely about addressing the growing and changing needs of the island community, and carries the Hospital’s intention to “build for the next generation” - making the health care compatible with the unique needs and circumstances of the island life.

On Wednesday October 15, Dave McMullen, foreman for Rose Steel signaled the crane operator to hoist the final steel beam, bearing numerous island and contributing signatures as well as an American flag, onto the frame of the new building.

The hospital CEO Tim Walsh looked on with a smile stating it was a big step for the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. The ‘topping off’ ceremony marks a milestone and a moment of pride for the workers, builders, hospital staff and islanders alike.

Besides the presence of Sovereign on the Vineyard, our banking system is very small and homegrown. It matches the island.You have the feeling that your money stays on the island, right here next to you as you eat and sleep. We don’t have BankNorth or Bank of America, we have the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, Edgartown National Bank and Bank of Martha’s Vineyard (a Division of Sovereign Bank).

But, then the unthinkable. Apparently, fraud approached some Vineyard banking customers by making fake calls to islanders asking for specific information that would give them access to their accounts. Of all the slimey things.

There is heart in this story, though. The bank jumped into action, alerting its customers, and the community did so as well. The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce sent a mass email to it’s members alerting them to the issue and providing instructions on what to do. Other agencies are following. But they can hardly catch up with the word of mouth warnings and camaraderie. In a small town, we all watch out for each other.