March 11, 2026
Smashing Aquinnah compound designed by well known island archtiect, Hutker Associates. Property includes main house, sleeps 8, guest house, sleeps 4, 48 foot pool, and a private, Aquinnah beach. Prime weeks in July and August available. Walk to private and public beaches, the Aquinnah Lighthouse and shops. Exclusively offered. More photos and details here: Moshup Trail Compound - Vacation Rental
November 26, 2025
Just listed in Edgartown. 35 Mariner’s Way, 4BR/2.5BA, walk to Village shops, restaurants and galleries. Corner lot on nearly 1/2 acre. Room for a pool too!...more details and photos can be seen by following this link: 35 Mariner's Way
October 11, 2025
Step into timeless mid-century modern style and comfort in this single-level, 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home located in the heart of Chilmark. This home features an open layout with large glass panel doors that lead to a sun-drenched deck, heated in-ground pool, and grassy lawn. This home is offered completely furnished with a well-equipped kitchen, large living room with wood burning fireplace, dining area overlooking the pool and yard, air conditioning, and cable television and internet and a distant peek at the ocean....more details and photos can be seen by following this link: 6 Trail's End
The hectic summer season has ended and we’re enjoying continued beautiful, beach going days as September comes to an end. The fall season can be a good time to buy real estate here on the island as price reductions, motivated sellers and lower interest rates provide advantages for potential buyers. I’ve highlighted here some notable properties that have seen price reductions since coming to market. Click on the property address for more details.
Way back in 2005 as I was just getting started in my real estate career, I had an opportunity to visit and photograph an exquisite property in Chilmark known as Blue Heron Farm. From the moment your enter the property on a long, winding drive you realize you've arrived at a wondrous property from which you might not want to ever leave. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have summered here during his presidency. The Clintons were known to be dinner guests here. The current owner of Blue Heron Farm, the family of Sir Norman Foster, has reportedly decided to sell and is asking $39 million. The property consists of 30+ acres and is sited on the waterfront of Tisbury Great Pond. Blue Heron Farm consists of the main and guest houses, pool and pool house, tennis and basketball courts, private beach, dock and pondfront boat house and equestrian facilities. Current photos and more information for Blue Heron Farm can be viewed here: Blue Heron Farm, Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard
The owners of Blue Heron Farm are represented by Maggie Gold Seelig of MGS Group Real Estate and Brian Dougherty of Corcoran Property Advisors. Of couse if you are a buyer for this exquisite property I would be happy to represent you.
The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission recently opened the James Pond Preserve, located just west of Lambert's Cove Beach. The Land Bank descirbes this beautiful property this way: "A beach property that’s more than its beach. Everything littoral here is definitely luminous … but don’t neglect the prismatic trail system, where the pond, the field, the dune, the sound and Naushon Island veer in and out of view. Kayaking in James Pond is permitted, although - especially compared to the island’s other ponds - it’s a rather brief experience." I took a walk here last week and I can report it truly is a stunning property. Make some time to visit the James Pond Preserve yourself and do it before the summer crush arrives. You can read about the Preserve by following this link: James Pond Preserve
The real estate market on Martha’s Vineyard experienced a slowdown in 2024 when compared to 2023. The number of transactions fell to 276, a 6% decline from 2023 and a 49% decline when compared to 2020 during the pandemic and significantly lower interest rates. Total dollar volume also declined 7% when compared to 2023. The average sale price for single family homes in 2024 was $2.25M, down 2% when compared to 2023. Trends, number of transactions, prices and low inventory suggest that we may be moving away from a seller’s market. You can read the full market report by following this link: Martha's Vineyard 2024 Sales Summary
It was just after 3 a.m. one October night in 2020 that a raging fire broke out in an unoccupied summer home in Chilmark. The house was a complete loss. Today, all that remains at the site is the charred remains of a storage shed and a grassy mound where the house once stood. This 1.4 acre parcel of land is now available for sale. A new owner could construct a house of 3,100 square feet, by right, with second floor water views of the Atlantic Ocean and Chilmark Pond. Included with the parcel is access to the pond and a private beach on the Atlantic. This parcel is centrally located on Chilmark's south shore. Easy to show, call for an appointment. You can read more details and see additonal photos of this parcel at this link: 2 Other House Road
Available for the first time in nearly 60 years, this mid-century modern house sits atop a hill on Ocean View Farm Road in Chilmark. The main wing of the house dates to 1964 and was designed by architect Elizabeth Carlhian and features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and wide views of the Atlantic, Squibnocket and Aquinnah. The secondary wing, connected view a breezeway with a striking view, was built in 1987 and was deisgned by arrchitects Modigiliani and Noyes. Water views are also seen from this wing and features a bedroom with bath, living area and kitchenette. You can read more details, see additonal photos and watch a property video at this link: 27 Ocean View Farm Road
The 2023 Annual Sales Summary provided by LINK, Martha’s Vineyard MLS, is now available for review. The report shows that the number of single family, island wide sales versus 2022 have decreased slightly from 333 properties to 295, an 11% reduction in volume. Total sale volume of single family homes ticked 2% higher with a median selling price of $1.5M vs. $1.2M in 2022. Overall available inventory remains low island wide while we’re seeing a recent reduction in mortgage rates heading into 2024. You can read the entire Sales Summary report by following this link: Martha's Vineyard 2023 Sales Summary
Single family sales for the 3rd quarter 2023 are up 5% from when compared to the same period in 2022. The 3rd quarter saw an average selling price of $1.53M, down 2% from the 3rd quarter 2022. Inventory crept up with 194 properties available island wide at the end of the quarter. The full 3rd Quarter Sales Summary provided by LINK, the Vineyard’s MLS, can be found by following this link: Martha's Vineyard 3rd Quarter 2023 Sales Summary
Enjoy swimming, sportfishing, boating, bird watching, amazing sunsets and strolling miles of sandy beach. Views are seen to Menemsha and the Elizabeth Islands. This is an opportunity to purchase 1/20th ownership in North Shore Fishing Association beach lot with parking along Oxcart Road.
More here: North Shore Fishing Association
Escape the crowds at Lucy Vincent and Squibnocket and take advantage of this very rare opportunity to own a private, 17 member, Atlantic Ocean beach lot at Thumb Cove (abuts Hancock Beach). Included in the sale of this property is a deeded .2 acres of sandy beach, a deeded parking spot at Chilmark Pond and the right to launch boats from a dock in the pond. Sail, kayak, row, swim(!) or motor across the pond to one of Chilmark's best beaches. Chilmark Pond is the perfect spot for swimming for children, learning to sail and crabbing. Dock space provided for one 4HP motor boat (must be electric motor beginning 2025) and one small sail boat. Storage racks provided for kayaks and row boats. Parking for Thumb Cove is located just one-tenth of a mile off South Road. Call today for a guided tour! Note: This is not a buildable lot, no structures of any kind permitted on the beach or in the parking lot.
More here: Thumb Cove, Chilmark
This iconic West Tisbury property on 3.7 acres features a rustic 856 square foot post and beam farmhouse and 30 x 40 barn all sited on a golden, lush meadow. The farmhouse contains one bedroom and one and half baths, two wood burning fireplaces, a wood stove and a propane monitor all of which provide plenty of heating in this insulated, year round structure. The barn, often the subject of paintings and photographs by passersby, has both electricity and water and is currently home to the sweetest donkey, Daisy. One can enjoy this property as is or bring your ideas for renovation, expansion or a newer home while keeping the existing as a guest house. Easy to show, please call for appointment. Please note the sale of this property is contingent on the seller closing on another property.
More here: 16 Elias Lane
A summer house with views to Squibnocket and Aquinnah. Ocean views are seen from the first floor and the second floor and there's a glimpse of Chilmark Pond as well. According to Chilmark's zoning this parcel should support a new house of 3,225 square feet by right (larger with a special permit), with 24 feet in height. Current house is sited on highest point of the parcel. House is heated and air-conditioned with a heat pump. There are miles of crosstown walking trails at your doorstep from Ocean View Preserve to Fulling Mill, Peaked Hill and beyond. Lucy Vincent Beach is just 1.3 miles away.
More here: 5 Ocean View Farm Road
Single family sales for 1st quarter 2023 are down 16% from previous quarter with an average selling price of $2.3M, up 9% from the previous quarter. Land sales are also down from the previous quarter. Inventory remains light with just 125 properties available for sale compared with 175 properties available at the same time last year. The full 1st Quarter Sales Summary provided by LINK, the Vineyard’s MLS, can be found by following this link: Martha's Vineyard 1st Quarter 2023 Sales Summary
And so, 2022 is a wrap. Real estate sales for the year have declined by one-third when compared to 2021. Single family homes sale transactions in 2022 totaled 333 down from 503 in 2021. The average sale price of a single family home on Martha’s Vineyard rose 3% over 2021 to just above $2.2 million. Sales volume in 2022 totaled $877 million, down from just over $1 billion dollars in 2021. Available inventory remains tight with just 155 properties available island-wide at the end of 2022. Buyers continue to express frustration with lack of available properties to choose from. A full report of sales and inventory by town is available here:Martha's Vineyard Real Estate Sales Summary for 2022.
Wishing all readers of my blog a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season and the same for the coming year 2023.
LINK, the Martha’s Vineyard MLS, has released its report of 3rd Quarter 2022 real estate statistics. You can review sales statistics for each town and island wide by visiting this link: Martha's Vineyard 3rd QTR 2022.
Summer of 2022 has come and gone. Real estate sales during the thrid quarter continued to slow on the Vineyard. Island wide number of sales were down 30% when compared to the same period of 2021. The average selling price ticked up slightly from $2.034M to $2.098M. Available inventory remained low with just 179 properties listed at the end of the quarter. It's intesting to look back to the start of last year with nearly double the amount of listed properties. At this writing there are only 8 properties listed in Chilmark, 5 in Aquinnah, 17 in West Tisbury, 17 in Vineyard Haven, 36 in Oak Bluffs and 60 in Edgartown.
Rising rates, fear of recession, continuing Covid concerns, employees returning to their offices, the upcoming mid-terms all contrubute to the slowing real estate market both on the Vineyard and the mainland. The frenzy we lived through in 2020-2021 has all but disappeared.
Price reductions on Martha's Vineyard were nearly non-existent since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Sellers enjoyed higher prices, low rates, multiple offers...a true buying frenzy. But now I'm starting to see a bit of a cooling off as we head into the last remaining days of summer. Inventory of available homes has crept up slightly, rates are higher, there's fear of a recesssion and price reductions are popping up across all towns and price points. Some notable price cuts:
My other half had big news for me earlier this week, he's in line to become CEO of Caleres in January. I couldn't be more proud. You can read about Jay at this link: Caleres Announces Timeline for Planned Executive Succession
Prime weeks are available at these three Chilmark properties. Have a look and call me at 774-563-0633 for booking and more details:
LINK, the Martha’s Vineyard MLS, has released its report of 1st Quarter 2022 real estate statistics. You can review sales statistics for each town and island wide by visiting this link: Martha's Vineyard 1st QTR 2022.
In the first quarter we saw a very slight uptick in inventory in the towns of Chilmark, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury, although inventory still remains very low in all towns. In reviewing the charts included in the report we see a dramatic drop in inventory since the beginning of the pandemic in 3rd-4th quarter 2020.
Total home sales for the 1Q 2022 numbered 83, much lower than the 120 sales during the same period in 2021. Home sale prices continued to climb with an average sales price of $2,088,000 versus $1,672,000 in 2021. While housing supply on the Vineyard is low, demand still seems to be strong. I’ve noticed some softening on the sales side with more open houses, some price reductions, and longer market times than last year.
What a year. Home sales on the Vineyard in 2021 continued at a frenzied pace with just over one billion dollars in sales - a record for Martha's Vineyard. LINK, the Vineyard MLS, has issued their annual property sales report....you can view it by following this LINK: Martha's Vineyard Annual Sales Summary. To summarize, the average selling price in 2021 was $2.147M with days on the market averaging 171 days. Prices are up, days listed on the market are down. Many listed properties received multiple offers, often above asking price with no contingencies. It wasn't unusual to arrive at a listed property and see a line of buyers waiting to have a look. Some properties received multiple offers on day one, making for some very disappointed buyers and happy sellers. Will the real estate market continue this upward trajectory in 2022? It's difficult to know. An easing in the Covid pandemic coupled with rising interest rates may slow the market down. Stay tuned.
Labor Day has come and gone and the island has quite a few more visitors and residents than in year's past. Martha's Vineyard real estate market has broken records this year. Summer vacation rentals were busier than ever and it looks like the summer of 2022 is going to be just as busy. If you're thinking of renting a property next summer you might want to book a place now. Here are some choice rental properties, all with access to private beaches, that are now accepting bookings for 2022:
Back in November of last year I had the pleasure of brokering the sale of the Child Farm for members of the Child family, the Island Autism Group and Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission. Shortly after the sale, Kate Devane, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Island Autism Group, asked if I would consider becoming a board member and I was happy to join their effort. This week I received some architectural drawings of the proposed center to be built at 515 Lambert's Cove Rd. The drawings were developed by Union Studio Architecture in Providence, Rhode Island. The center will be built in phases as fund raising allows. You can learn more about the Island Autism Group, their extraordinary work and the ways that you can help by visiting their website at: Island Autism Group
This photo was taken early this morning from our motor across Chilmark Pond to a barrier beach on Chilmark's south shore. You can see the cliffs at Wequobsque in the distance. Thumb Cove Beach Association has a dock on Chlmark Pond in which members can enjoy sailing, motoring, kayaking and paddle boarding on the pond. Located in Lower Chilmark Pond, one can kayak to Abel's Hill and continue through Dr.'s Creek to Lucy Vincent Beach. Parasailing, swimming and crabbing are some of the other pleasures that can be had on the pond. The beach lots, dock use and parking lot are rarely available at Thumb Cove. Follow this link to see the latest offering at Thumb Cove: Thumb Cove at Chilmark Pond
My friend, client and reporter, Geoff Currier, at the Martha's Vineyard Times, phoned a week or so ago to get my thoughts on the state of the real estate market as we approach one year into the Covid19 pandemic. You can read the interview here: Voices from the Pandemic
Politics, COVID, elections, Democrats, mask up, and a long, childish, sore loser goodbye from the nightmare-in-chief. Here's to a healthy and prosperous New Year 2021. Best wishes to the new Biden administration. The real estate market on Martha's Vineyard in 2020, and continuing into 2021, is frenzied. Properties are selling within days of being listed often above asking price. The Vineyard saw record sales and home prices in 2020 and it looks like the trend will continue into 2021. Click here to read about the record setting $1B in sales in 2020: Real Estate Market Surpasses $1B You can read the LINK Year End Sales Summary report by following this link: Martha's Vineyard Annual Sales Summary for 2020
So, after many months of discussion, negotiation, planning and waiting for all of the pieces to fall into place, the sale of the Child Farm finally closed today. The Child family has agreed to sell the farm to the Island Autism Group and the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank for $1,200,000. The property consists of 17.5 acres most of which will be accessible to the public. A portion of the property is to be the site of the new home for the Island Autism Group. You can read more about this property in today's press release to the Vineyard Gazette here: Autism Group, Land Bank Join Forces to Buy West Tisbury Farm
The latest issue of Martha's Vineyard Home + Garden Magazine features a story on us and the property we purchased in 2016 at 245 North Road in Chilmark. Our friend Mary Breslauer interviewed us nearly a year ago and we were pleasantly surprised to see the article made it to print. Thank you Mary, Christine Sargologos for the photos and thank you Martha's Vineyard Home + Garden! You can read the article at this link: Love at Third Sight
In the 1920s, just before the Great Depression, a New York oriental rug dealer named Arthur Urbane Dilley purchased a few hundred acres in Chilmark. Mr. Dilley built his home on the second highest peak on the island and named his home High Mark. Views from High Mark are seen to Squibnocket, Noman's, Menemsha Pond and the Atlantic. The park like grounds were planted by Mr. Dilley. Quoting from an article in the Vineyard Gazette, Mr. Dilley remarked "I planted thousands, not hundreds, of Japanese trees in recognition of which enterprise the Japanese government in 1940 conferred on me the distinction of Honorable Guest." Many of these specimen plantings survive today. This estate holds a main house, guest house, detached bedroom, artist studio, pool, tennis court, garage and workshop. One rarely finds property on the Vineyard with these amenities in place. In Chilmark, swimming pools, guest houses and tennis courts may be allowed by special permit after ownership of two years to five years. You can see more of this property by following this link: 17 High Mark
It was announced this morning that the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank and the Sheriff's Meadow Foundation are buying a significant portion of Red Gate Farm, the place that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis called home. This breathtaking property features miles of sandy beaches, frontage on Squibnocket Pond and hundreds of acres of unspoiled land and wildlife habitat. You can read more about Red Gate Farm, the Kennedy Family, the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank and Sheriff's Meadow Foundation at this link: Red Gate Farm - Kennedy Compound on Martha's Vineyard
Light and dark. Rebuild on Rockrose Path in Chilmark. Sherman Associates took a small, summer camp and transformed the spaces for today’s living. This property, high on a hill with wide Atlantic views and private beach is available for rent. Want a place to call your own? See the Sherman Associates plan for neighboring 2 Rockrose offered exclusively for sale. 2 Rockrose Path, Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard
Be sure to see other designs and projects of Sherman Associates at this link:Sherman Associates
As you travel down Lambert's Cove Road in West Tisbury an open meadow comes into view on your left at the northen end. This is the site of the Child Farm, so named after the owners, the Childs. The property holds the meadow, the family homestead and 17 acres of rising woodlands and hiking trails. A portion of the property had been previously sold to the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank which provided a view easement across the meadow and an agricultural restriction across most of the remaining acreage.
The Child Farm is now under agreement to be sold and three groups are working together to acquire the property: The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank, The Island Autism Group and the Island Housing Trust. Their goal is to continue conservation and agricutural use of the land and to provide housing for children and adults with autism. You can read more about this property and the Land Bank, The Island Autism Group and The Island Housing Trust by following this link: Island Autism Group will have a new forever home
My special thanks to my client, Hal Child and to James Lengyel, Kate DeVane and Derrill Bazzy for making this my most personally rewarding real estate transaction.
A hashtag find. While scrolling thru #marthasvineyard on Instagram I came across the photo included here. That’s James Cagney standing at our front door talking to his friend Paul Mayhew. Paul lived in our house in the 1950s and helped Cagney on the farm. Our house was part of the Cagney estate. Cagney’s farm and house on 69 acres is currently listed for sale. The property holds Cagney's house and barn still today. The house is said to date to the early 1700's and is one of the oldest houses in Chilmark. You can view the listing for the Cagney farm here: The Cagney Farm on Martha's Vineyard
The photo with this post was taken in September 2007. Lucy Vincent Beach and the south coast of Martha's Vineyard is very different today than it was in 2007. Rising sea levels and strong storms have battered the coast causing what seems like rapid erosion. The last of the majestic cliff at Lucy Vincent succumbed to erosion this week. Photos of the beach today and the cliff collapse can be read here: Vineyard Gazette and here: MV Times
Today the governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, issued a "stay at home" advisory and the closing of all businesses except those that are deemed to be essential. We've seen an influx of seasonal homeowners escaping the cities and urban areas in order to reduce their chance of exposure. The downside of escaping to Martha's Vineyard is that we have very limited medical facilities, namely just one hospital with two dozen beds. Our year round population is approximately 17,000 so it is easy to see how our resources can quickly be overwhelmed. Stay safe, stay home and be well. We have no drugs, no vaccine, no tests. The only way to prevent from getting this dreaded disease is to assume everyone is infected and to stay away from as much public contact as you are able.
This house dates to 1853 which makes it 167 years old. It has only had three owners in all of its lifetime. Now available for the first time in nearly 60 years, this Vineyard farmhouse in the Greek Revival style, has 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths and 2 fireplaces. The property is bounded by ancient stone walls and the house is sited in a grassy meadow. Distant water views of Vineyard Sound can be seen from the upstairs bedroom and baths. Easy to show, call for an appointment. More photos forthcoming.
Details here: 71 Lighthouse Road
The old barn looked great from the outside, not so much inside. Riddled with powder post beetles, termites, nesting birds, and other members of the animal kingdom, it was time to go. We started the rebuild in September 2018 and are nearly complete for the New Year 2020. We are thankful for the talent and hard work of all of the craftspeople that made the barn happen and encourage you to keep them in mind for your projects: Builder: D.Best Construction, Architect: Gabe Stadecker, Foundation: Concrete Bill, Demolition/Excavation: John Keene Excavation, Engineering: Vineyard Land Surveying, Mason/Stone Walls: Morgan Stone and Landscaping, Plumbing: Fullin and Bettencourt, Electrician Best Electric, Timber Frame: Vermont Timber Works, SIPS Panels: Foard Panel, Trench/Drilling Fenner Construction, Tile: CB Tile, Irrigation: Automatic Lawn Sprinklers, Building Supply: Vineyard Home Center, Shingles: Arroyo & Carroll Hand Nailed Shingles, Landscape Design: Carly Look, Crane: Tashmoo Crane, Landscaping: Teles Landscaping, Portable Thrones: Araujo Brothers, Well Drilling: Island Water Source
The beaches of Martha's Vineyard are unlike most beaches on the East Coast: uncrowded, unspoiled and free from commercial amusements and residential development. As such, one can truly enjoy the natural setting and wildlife so often lacking along the eastern seaboard beaches. The south side of the Martha's Vineyard has wide Atlantic Ocean beaches running the length of the island from Edgartown to Aquinnah. The northern and eastern sides of the island are lined with the calm waters of Vineyard Sound, perfect for children and adults wanting a calmer surf in which to swim and recreate. Some of the beaches and the land necessary to access the beach are privately owned. These properties are locally known as "beach keys" which can be bought and sold. One of the privately owned beaches can be found at Stonewall Beach in Chilmark. This private association beach enjoys access to Stonewall Pond (pictured here) and Stonewall Beach at the Atlantic Ocean. Kayaks and small craft can be kept at the pond which provides access to Menemsha Pond and the sound beyond. Parking is provided and a path leads along the pond edge to the ocean beach just ahead. Please contact me for more information regarding this unique beach property and other "beach keys" that are available for sale. Stonewall Beach
Bijah's (ryhmes with Elijah) Way is located in the center of Chilmark. The road is a bluestone macadam mix, no asphalt, which lends to the rural setting. Tall, fragrant pine and oak trees abound providing a private, wooded setting bustling with wildlife. The first house I rented on the Vineyard was on Bijah's. It was a hot summer month of August and I was captured by the sense of escape from city life. Miles of hiking trails in the neighborhood and close proximity to Chilmark's renowned beaches had me hooked; so much so that I stayed well past my summer rental and continued to rent throughout the winter before eventually buying our first home in the spring of 2004. My latest offerring at 55 Bijah's is a well designed post and beam, 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath home with wood burning fireplace and large screened porch set on 3 private acres bounded by centuries old stone walls. Have a look inside at the following link, or better yet, give me a call to tour this move-in condition home: 55 Bijah's Way
I don't think I will ever forget the first time I drove up the winding driveway of my newest listing at 100 Beach Plum Lane. I stepped out of the car and was immediately awestruck by the wide views of the both the Elizabeth Islands and the village of Menemsha. There is a cluster of five cottages on the property and some of them date back to the 1930's...a simpler time and way of life on Martha's Vineyard. The homeowner renovated the property in 2007 under the direction of a well known Cape Cod and Islands architect, Joseph Dick. Their efforts were featured on the cover of Architectural Digest, see here: Seaside Sanctuary. To learn more about this special property and to make an appointment to visit, please follow this link:100 Beach Plum Lane
My listing at 78 Hines Point is being featured in the May issue of the Martha's Vineyard Real Estate Guide. You can get a sneak peak at the article here: MV Real Estate Guide. This waterfront property features 4BR/4.5BA, 2 fireplaces, screened porch and dock for launching of small boats. 78 Hines was the first of two homes designed by Breese Architects for my clients. The neighboring property at 104 Hines was the second, smaller house for family and guests. 104 Hines recently sold at a record price for Hines Point Road. You can see the listing for 78 Hines Point here: 78 Hines Point and you can see the listing for neighboring 104 Hines Point here: 104 Hines Point
I recently had the pleasure of working with a client who had spent the last 50 years at her summer home in Aquinnah. Hannah Malkin and her husband Moses acquired 17+ acres in 1969 and built their home on a small rise in order to take advantage of the wide views across Vineyard Sound and Menemsha. Now 98 years young, Hannah asked for my help in selling her home and land parcels. She generously gave nearly two waterview acres to the town of Aquinnah and 13+ acres to the University of North Carolina. The University hired me to sell the property and I was fortunate enough to broker the deal with the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank. The land that Hannah and her husband so loved will soon be open to the public for their enjoyment. You can read more about Hannah and her generosity here: Conservation Patchwork Protects Morainal Lands in Aquinnah
Winter weekends on the other island, steel on the skyline.
And so our long planned barn house is going up. The Douglas Fir frame pictured here was up in two and a half days. The exterior of the frame will be covered with structured insulated panels (SIPS) starting Monday morning. We hope the barn will be weather tight by the end of this week. Thank you to Doug Friant at Vermont Timber Works, our architect Gabe Stadecker, Kim Baptiste of Tashmoo Boatyard and Crane Service and the crew of Doug Best Construction who, as usual, did an amazing job. Stay tuned.
Chilly, sunny, driving to the bank, pulled over to the side of Middle Road in Chilmark and snapped this photo of the Keith Farm. My favorite island view. The Keith Farm is also a beautiful vacation rental. Have a look inside here: Keith Farm in Chilmark
I see a lot of houses. A lot. And I take pictures of a lot of houses. And every once in a while I find myself opening yet another front door with camera and tripod in hand and I smile because I know what a pleasure it will be to photograph this new listing. 56 Old Courthouse Road is three separate buildings on three idyllic acres in West Tisbury. There is the three bedroom main house, a converted garage studio, and a guest cottage all lovingly cared for and colorfully decorated. This property didn't last long and was sold in late fall to a newlywed, island couple who are first time home-buyers. Have a look inside here: 56 Old Courthouse
It's funny where life sometimes takes you. Years ago I attended the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan as I once thought I wanted to quit Wall Street and open a New York restaurant. It was at this time that I was offered a new job at a premier investment firm and I couldn't bring myself to say no. Life moves on and I eventually moved to Martha's Vineyard. And I found myself entertaining the restaurant idea again. So, one summer I took a job in the kitchen at Slice of Life in Oak Bluffs. I lasted all of two months in the 100+ degree August heat in the kitchen. Life moves on again and now I'm selling real estate and my new listing, the Slice of Life. Have a look inside here: Slice of Life
At one time James Cagney owned quite a bit of land from North Road to the North Shore, well over 100 acres. Our house is on some of Cagney's land and just across North Road we can see the fields of North Tabor Farms and through the trees alongside the fields we get a glimpse of the Jethro Athearn House. This house was originally built in 1735 in the town of West Tisbury. Jump ahead 250 plus years and the house was dismantled board by board and moved to Chilmark where it was painstakingly reassembled. Have a look inside here: 14 Ben's Way
Sometime back in May I met a woman who lived in a very unique house which was designed by her architect son. The home is small, just 800 square feet and is made up of two 400 foot structures. One structure holds the kitchen, powder room and upstairs, a master bedroom and bath. The second structure is reminiscent of a classic New England barn and provides a living room with fireplace, sleeping area and powder room. Old Farm was my most popular listing and deservedly so.
15 Old Farm Road has sold, selling price $1,050,000. You can see more photos of this special property here: 15 Old Farm Road
New to market - This three acre property is found in both West Tisbury and Vineyard Haven. There are two beautiful homes, one in each town. Two towns and two beaches to choose, one just down the path and the other at Lambert's Cove. Learn more about this special property here: 162 Gay Head Avenue
Update 2/25/2018 this property is under agreement.
The trails at Menemsha Hills are a terrific place to walk all year round. Follow one of the trails to the end and you come to this new staircase that leads down to the beach. Get to the staircase at just the right time of day and you can snap a beautiful picture...just aim the camera, the view does the rest.
Ferry reservations for summer travel are now being accepted online. Book your vacation rental here: Russell Maloney Real Estate - Vacation Rentals
You can read more about the Menemsha Hills Trails here: Trustees of the Reservations
I'm often asked what it is like in the winter on Martha's Vineyard...and I always answer..."Beautiful!"
The light and clouds put on quite a show this last day of fall afternoon. Heading up island to show a property in Aquinnah I drove past this view, thought better about that, turned around and snapped this pic of Quitsa with my phone. I need to start traveling with the Nikon.
If you've been to Martha's Vineyard you are familiar with the spectacular sunsets that occur here. There are one bazillion photos of a Vineyard sunset available online or on your favorite app of the moment. Here's Vineyard sunset photo number 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,001 that I snapped in our yard as I was taking the other half to the airport. We had a very enjoyable five days together here for the Thanksgiving holiday. The blazing sunset was a fitting end. For more, less interesting sunset photos, simply search #martha's vineyard sunset.
Big changes coming to Squibnocket Beach....new causeway will provide access to Squibnocket Farms and consequently the town of Chilmark will have a new public beach at Squibnocket. Here's hoping all goes according to plan. You can read about the Squibnocket project here: https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2017/10/05/work-begins-long-debated-squibnocket-causeway The tower of beach stones (pictured here) is known as a cairn. Some think they are a work of art, others think they are beach graffiti or litter. You can learn more about beach cairns here: Is it art?
I'm often asked to go have look at properties and I'm always surprised at the places I've never seen in the 15 years I have been living here and selling real estate. Here's a photo of my Wednesday morning.
It's been a somewhat cold and rainy summer on Martha's Vineyard. Today was no exception. Just as the day was ending the skies brightened a bit. The throngs of tourists and traffic on the island has thinned considerably. And so I hopped in the car and went to my first Menemsha sunset of 2017.
We're very near the end of renovating this old house and to celebrate we hosted a party last week, catered by Jamie Hamlin and Sons, to thank those that have poured their blood, sweat and tears into this project. Sometime in the fall we plan to take the old barn down and rebuild it...before it falls down.
Here's a list of the tradesmen and women and suppliers who worked on our renovation and we highly recommend them for your projects.
Bright sun and upper 50s today in Chilmark...perfect for a morning walk on Lucy Vincent Beach. I ran into my friend Harriet on the beach. We spoke of many things besides the glorious weather and how lucky we were to be on Martha's Vineyard on this day. Harriet owns a terrific summer rental home with a pool in Chilmark and she wanted me to know she has a few prime weeks available. You can see Harriet's place here: Trail's End.
Summer rentals on Martha's Vineyard come in all sizes, home styles and prices. Some homes will have every amenity and some will, instead, keep the focus on the outdoor spaces, the wondrous seascape and landscape found on the island. Here's a sampling of the wide range of rentals available: Sugar Mill, East Pasture, Squibnocket Pond, and Farm Neck.
Snowy day on the island. I dug myself out of the driveway, scraped the windows and headed to the post office to see if Amazon had delivered today's necessary implement for the seemingly never ending renovation at our house. Amazon delivered. I rode past everyone's favorite island view, the Keith Farm, on my way home. Snapped this photo with my iPhone. This property and the house that sits on it is beautiful any time of year....and, yes, it's a terrific place to rent in the summer. Details here: Keith Farm
Jay and I were alerted to see the New York Winter Antiques Show by Barbara Lehman Smith, author of "The Artist Who Lived Twice" a biography of Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones. We have collected four of Jones' work and were excited to go see another titled "A Friend of Mine" 1912. Jones had a troubled life and her work can be categorized as pre and post breakdown. Our four paintings are from her post breakdown period. "A Friend of Mine" is from her early, pre-breakdown period and is stunning, exploding in color with wide, short brush strokes. A treasure and one we wanted to add to our collection (especially since we have the perfect spot to hang it in our Chilmark home). Perhaps someday, priced at $175,000. If you're so inclined you can purchase "A Friend of Mine" here: Jonathan Boos Gallery
Valerie Sonnenthal, a columnist for the Martha's Vineyard Times, stopped by recently to take a tour of our house and office. You can read Valerie's article here: http://www.mvtimes.com/2016/12/29/home-russell-maloney-jay-schmidt/
The Steamship Authority is now accepting reservations for travel to Martha's Vineyard in the summer months of 2017. It's best to reserve a spot for your automobile now and be sure to wait list for trips that are already sold out. You can book your 2017 summer reservation at this link: Steamship Authority
