What’s your style?

Your personal style is at the heart of the social media frenzy. Your decision to “like” something, someone, somewhere carries more weight now than ever before. Why not think about your vacation style the same way. How you define your vacation depends heavily on 3 factors: If you stay Connected, how Social you want to be and what you want to Access.

You can disconnect from technology and explore the island, with days of beach going, walking nature trails, kayaking and boating. Maybe tapping into that old vineyard charm out on Chappy or Up Island. Some of these homes have been providing safe harbor for visitors for decades and continue to please those who want to just get-away.

or…

Revel in the hustle and bustle of summertime fun, enjoying the nightlife, dining, shopping and keeping your guests entertained. You can be right in the thick of it if you pick a Down Island In-town home. Picture fireworks from the widow’s walk, the kids spinning around at the flying horse’s, cocktails in the harbor at sunset.

Is your home your temple, or is it what you’re trying to get-away from! And what is it that you want to do? Martha’s Vineyard is a wonderful little place that can satisfy myriad vacation possibilities. The pace you desire for your vacation and how social you want to be can determine the when, where and what of your vacation.

If home is where the heart is, wouldn’t your vacation home be where the fun is? Some of us want nothing more than to leave the daily grind behind and land in another world, ripe for the picking. Others love what they’ve got and want to share these splendors with their nearest and dearest. When it comes to vacation style it’s personal. This blog series will explore how you get to the heart and soul of your vacation. Whichever way you have fun Martha’s Vineyard does not disappoint.

What better way to enjoy your Martha’s Vineyard vacation than in this newly constructed Chilmark home!  Situated high up from the water this home offers breathtaking views of the North Shore. This retreat offers all the privacy and amenities necessary to relax and enjoy your summer getaway!

This gorgeous home offers six bedrooms and six bathrooms and has the ability to accommodate twelve. Five of the bedrooms are located in the main house, with the guesthouse offering the sixth bedroom for even more privacy.

Whether you are enjoying the views of the Atlantic from the outside stone patio, the spacious sitting room or the fashionable kitchen you will be reminded of the island’s beauty from every corner of this home!

If you have any questions about this vacation home or any other beautiful homes in our inventory please feel free to contact me!

In a time of rapid change in the economy and the real estate industry, I’ve been thinking about how lucky I am to be part of a real estate firm that values and demonstrates two things: reliability and ingenuity.

There’s something to be said for the fact that this will be Sandpiper’s 40th year on Martha’s Vineyard.  We have a solid reputation, and an on and off island community that knows us – just like we know them. Being part of this group of full time real estate agents, makes me feel confident about our future – because our past and our present is so strong.

But, we haven’t been around for 40 years because we’ve done the same old thing. Learning, changing and growing. It’s what makes my blog so much fun for me – I get to be myself (the same person I am with clients) but online.

It’s funny, though, because the blog let’s me get so detailed about the Vineyard and what it’s like to live here and vacation here…all the island has to offer. So, sometimes I forget to mention that we have over 600 Martha’s Vineyard houses in our inventory. To remind you all that we probably have exactly what you’re looking for – to rent or buy. All you have to do is ask! I’m all ears…

1. My kids catch their first wild brook trout and make me swear on my life that I will not publish the secret location!

2. You hear the first Pinkletinks (peepers) – I’m quite sure that I was the first islander to hear them on Saturday evening.

3. Local school kids are wearing shorts even though the thermometer has just broken the 50 degree mark.

4. The grass is so green, you have to touch it (and sometimes roll around in it) to make sure it’s real.

5. The Osprey’s are flying, diving, hunting and playing across the Vineyard sky.

6. The Quahogs are being dug, shucked and simmered for the first chowdah of the season.

7. Main Street’s stores are getting gussied up, the windows filled with cool goods.

8. Ah, the huckleberries! I found a bush bursting with teeny ones this morning!

9. The ferry schedule starts to add some extra trips.

10. Our fiery pink, orange and purple sunsets can be enjoyed on a leisurely stroll after dinner.

11. You can feel it in your bones that summer is right around the corner!!!

It’s spring – and I just can’t stop blogging about all of the glorious places to explore the nature of Martha’s Vineyard. Today, I’m thinking about Sheriff’s Meadow – an incredible organization with beautiful properties sprinkled across the island.

Some of my favorites are Sheriff’s Meadow Sanctuary, Cedar Tree Neck and Packard Preserve – don’t miss ‘em when you come to visit!

The mission of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation is to conserve, administer and manage natural habitats for wildlife, and all other lands that represent the beautiful, rural, natural character of Martha’s Vineyard.

The foundation takes great pride in preserving our island through conservation…and educating our residents and visitors about this precious hunk of land.

Summer 2009 marks the Meadow’s 50th anniversary, they’ll be celebrating on July 20th with a gala edition of their annual summer benefit. Held at the beautiful Allen Farm on the Atlantic Ocean in Chilmark, dinner will be catered by Tea Lane Caterers and feature locally-grown foods – some right from Allen Farm. The party is a special fundraising opportunity for Sheriff’s Meadow, they’re inviting one and all to purchase tickets to the party and to consider becoming a sponsor.  Check the Foundation’s website for more info!

Have you ever heard of Plum TV? Plum is located in incredible spots around the U.S. and helps those of you who don’t live somewhere like Martha’s Vineyard, Aspen, Miami Beach or Telluride get a dynamic bite of what’s happening around town. I talked to Tina Miller, the General Manager of Plum’s Martha’s Vineyard branch about all things Plum and Vineyard. Here’s the scoop…

Anne: What is PlumTV?
Tina: Plum is Hyper local TV in some of America’s most treasured locations.

Anne: What types of thing do you feature?
Tina: Plum’s local morning show features the Island’s diverse year-round and summer residents. Plum has great local programs as well as the shared content from our 7 other stations (Aspen, Vail, Telluride, Nantucket, Miami Beach, Sun Valley and The Hamptons).

Anne: Do you create videos all year long? or just seasonally?

Tina: We create content all year long, Plum is a year-round business.

Anne: Why is the Vineyard such a perfect setting for Plum TV?

Tina: The Vineyard is perfect for Plum because of the people, the beauty, the arts and the optimism.

Anne: Who have been some of your most famous guests?
Tina: There have been so many! Tony Shaloub, Dan Aykroyd, Hillary Clinton, Howard Dean, Carly Simon, Arlen Roth, Bill Murray, Keith Lockhart, The Neville Brothers, Geraldine Brooks, Jim Belushi, Cam Neeley, Norman Bridwell, Charlane Hunter Gault. I could go on and on!

Anne: Care to share one of your most interesting guests or stories?

Tina: I’m going to have to go with Dan Aykroyd speaking about UFO’s check out plumtv.com (clip at bottom of the post!)

Anne: And, your favorite thing about the Vineyard?

Tina: The community. We simply wouldn’t be what Plum TV without this outstanding community of people – the people we highlight on the show and the viewers. It’s the people that make the Vineyard so special.

This week, I decided to stroll over to the other side of our Sandpiper office and talk to my colleague, Elaine Miller, about the state of the housing marketing – buyers, sellers, on the Vineyard and across the U.S.

Anne: What’s your take on the national housing market?
Elaine: The housing market escalated in a short period of time to extremely high values.  It was realistically necessary for it to plateau and moderate as it did before and as the same cycle in the stock market needed to be corrected.  The economic crisis exacerbated the downward motion of the real estate market and followed the spiral of everything else.

Anne: And the market on the island? Is it different or the same? How?
Elaine: We are a second home market and no one needs our product.  It is a luxury item and the easiest item a potential buyer can remove from their wish list.  On the other side of the coin is the fact that the majority of our owners are not financially required to sell their property and will either resort to renting it or waiting out the current low market.  Though we have a large inventory, our average reduction in value is approximately 15% whereas the balance of the state is experiencing a 30% to 40% value reduction.

Anne: What do you predict will happen with the market on the island this summer?
Elaine: I have increased the size of my crystal ball and it is still not providing me with concrete answers.  I do however feel that once the confidence level in our economy is stabilized, buyers will realize that they are experiencing the best values with the lowest interest rates that they may see again for a very long time, and that this is the time to make a purchase.  The low value reduction of 15% in one of the worst economic crisis the country has seen in several decades is a further indication of the strength of making an investment in real estate on Martha’s Vineyard while enjoying all the benefits of your investment.

Anne: We’ve all heard the rumor that the Obama’s will be joining us this season – either for the entire summer or just for a visit, do you imagine that will have an impact on the island’s economy?
Elaine: The Clinton’s constant visits to the Island gave it global panache.  When they left, some of that public awareness went with them.  If the Obama’s return to enjoy the pleasures of our great Island, their visits will highlight the beauty and desirability of Martha’s Vineyard.

Anne: Any advice for folks looking to buy or sell a home right now?
Elaine: If you are planning to sell your home get a realistic Opinion of Value from a real estate agent, have confidence in the office and agent representing you and be patient. If you are a buyer, this is the moment.  The inventory provides for a broad selection of wonderful homes and don’t let this opportunity pass.

Thank you, Elaine!

If you’re interested in buying or selling a home on Martha’s Vineyard, I’d be happy to connect you with Elaine!

Over the years, as a real estate and vacation rentals agent on Martha’s Vineyard – I’ve had many conversations surrounding the Own vs Rent debate. Of course, as with every good debate, there’s a positive argument to be made for both sides.

The benefits of Renting a house on Martha’s Vineyard:

• Variety. Renting gives the ability to explore different parts of the island. You can rent in Chilmark on the beach one year and downtown Oak Bluffs the next!
• Walk in walk out. Talk about no hassles – the house is waiting for you when you arrive and when you leave, you just say, ‘see ya later!’
• No ongoing expenses. When you rent, you have no maintenance fees, no new roofs to put on, no property taxes, etc.
• Source of income? Purchasing a house that will pay for itself through rentals hasn’t happened in on Martha’s Vineyard for 15 years or so.

The benefits of Owning a house on Martha’s Vineyard

• No time schedule. You can come whenever you want, stay as long as you like and use it however you like.
• Renting out your house. As I mentioned above, rental income won’t pay for the house, but it certainly can’t hurt to earn some income on the house when you aren’t using it.
• Rental income can certainly offset property taxes, bills and maintenance. In fact, many people that buy Vineyard houses rent them out to start – working towards retiring on-island down the road.
• It’s a dream come true. How many people do you know that dream of owning a house on the island?
• Check the market. Right now we’re living in a buyer’s market – so this would be a great time to buy.