Top Five Reason’s Why Renting a Home is Better than Staying at a Hotel

5.Pets: As a rental agent and pet owner, I understand how hard it is to go on vacation and leave behind the four legged member of your family. In some cases, landlords will allow you to bring your pet with you.  Although, a pet security deposit and extra cleaning fee are usually required, you will be able to have all family members with you during your Martha’s Vineyard vacation!

4. Solitude : Enjoy a cup of coffee on your front porch, a backyard barbecue or just curling up with a book in the living room. Renting a vacation home allows you and your family the privacy that is needed to enjoy your vacation.  Staying in a home allows you to truly escape, relax and get away from it all….

3.Space-: A home that will fit your family and friends is another great perk of renting. Instead of limiting yourself to a hotel room your family will embrace the fact that they have rooms to relax in and your kids will have the ability to “escape” their siblings. When staying in a vacation home you are able to enjoy peace and freedom while having the ability to invite family and friends to help join you in creating countless Vineyard memories!

2.Home Away from Home: Cooking your own lobsters, enjoying an outdoor shower and even being able to do a load of laundry is something that you will have the freedom to do in your rental home. What better way to fully enjoy your Vineyard vacation than by having all the luxuries that you left at home right at your fingertips. Offering homes in all six towns and on Chappaquiddick you are able to choose what area of the island you want to call “home”.  Staying in one of our properties allows you to feel completely at home, which will just add to your whole Martha’s Vineyard experience.

1. Cost Effective The most obvious reason to rent one of our homes is that it is more cost effective than staying at one of the many fabulous hotels, inns or bed and breakfast’s located around the Island. By choosing a home that fits into your budget you are able to enjoy all the freedoms and comforts of staying in a home!

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Charming Oak Bluffs Retreat

This condo, located in the heart of Oak Bluffs ,is the perfect place to enjoy your Vineyard vacation. Offering 2 bedrooms with 2 baths this is the perfect retreat for a romantic getaway or a fun filled escape for your small family!

You cannot beat the location!  The shops and  restaurants of down town Oak Bluffs are located     just steps away!  There is no need for a car,    although parking is available, because even the    beach is within walking distance.

Offering a quaint and charming atmosphere, which the private deck located on the second story, as well as the garden patio enhances, this rental will help you fully enjoy your Martha’s Vineyard vacation.

Providing all the amenities you would come to expect from your vacation rental this condo would surely be one of the highlights of your Martha’s Vineyard vacation! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding this rental or any other vacation rental on Martha’s Vineyard!

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Deep Bottom Pond

This spacious rental in West Tisbury offers a view of Deep Bottom Pond. This luxury rental provides association access to Deep Bottom, which provides a dock, which is great for launching small boats.

The beautiful open kitchen and large living room make this rental  the perfect place to enjoy your Martha’s Vineyard vacation.  With  the ability to accommodate eight, this 4-bedroom 3- bathroom, is  sure to be a crowd pleaser.  Equipped with all the amenities you  would expect to find to enhance your vacation this property is a  great home base for you summer getaway!

Located with in great proximity to Long Point Beach the waves of the South Shore are easily accessible.  The beach also provides access to a pond with quiet water to accommodate everyone’s needs!

Please contact me if you have any questions about this vacation property, Deep Bottom Pond or any other vacation homes located on Martha’s Vineyard!

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Katama Cape

What better place to spend your Vineyard vacation then in this beautiful Katama Cape. Situated between the roaring surf of South Beach and the quaint streets of Edgartown this property is in the perfect location to enjoy all that the Vineyard has to offer.

Offering 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms this home  accommodates 6.  Offering all the amenities that you would  expect from a vacation rental, this property will allow you  to spend your vacation in comfort.

Unwind from a busy day at the beach on the fabulous outdoor deck. Whether you are enjoying a puzzle in the living room or gazing at the star filled Vineyard sky at night, this property is sure to please everyone in your family.

Please feel free to contact me for any questions you may have on this vacation home or any other Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental.

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental: Beautiful Cow Bay Contemporary

This gorgeous 5 bedroom 6 bathroom rental property has all the amenities necessary to enjoy your Martha’s Vineyard vacation.  The house has wonderful spaces for private enjoyment or even small gatherings.

This contemporary home offers a beautiful kitchen area with  a separate breakfast nook and sitting area.

The views of Nantucket Sound and the in ground swimming pool are just two additional features of this property. So whether you are taking in the views from the screened in porch or enjoying the lazy days of summer by the pool, this property is sure to be the highlight of your Martha’s Vineyard vacation.

Please contact me for more information regarding this property or other vacation rental properties located on Martha’s Vineyard!

Take A Ride Over To Chappaquiddick

Hop on the On Time Ferry and take the journey across Edgartown Harbor to Chappaquiddick. Learn all you need to know about the ferry and also tour one of the fabulous rental homes located on Chappy.

Please contact me for more information on this ultimate escape and Chappaquiddick rental properties!

Photo Courtesy of: Jeff Nickerson

Looking For a House on Martha’s Vineyard? Yeah, We’ve Got That.

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…

My Martha’s Vineyard Fisherman

At my house, you don’t have to look very far for some real and authentic Martha’s Vineyard-ness. You see, I happened to have married a Mayhew – the Island’s founding non-native – family. And my hubby Jonathan’s a longtime commercial fisherman to boot.

So, I sat him down and got him to spill the beans so that I could share my personal slice of this island with all of you…

Anne: How long have you been fishing on Martha’s Vineyard?

Jonathan: I grew up in a fishing family. So I’ve been at this for 50 years – since I was 7. My father and grandfather, and my great grandfather too, they were all commercial fisherman.

Anne: What kind of fish do you mainly target?

Jonathan: My favorite species to fish is harpoon swordfish. But in my life, I’ve caught them all: sea scallops, squid, cod, haddock, yellow tail flounder, grey sole, monkfish, fluke – my father was a lobsterman – bay scallops, quahogs (clams). Honestly, it would be easier to tell you what I haven’t caught!

Anne: Tell me about the camaraderie of the fishermen on the Vineyard?

Jonathan: We actually have great camaraderie here. In other places in New England there’s a lot of conflict between fishermen of different species – because their gear can get mixed up – nets and traps can get tangled, etc. But on the Vineyard – we supply bait to each other and we have good communication about gear use – so this doesn’t happen.

We even formed the Martha’s Vineyard Duke’s County Fishermen’s Association. We work together to preserve the environment of our waters and our fish. For example, we’ve agreed collectively not to use harmful gear – like the gill net.

Anne: You’re a Mayhew – the founding non-native family on the Island – what does this mean to you?

Jonathan: I’m an 11th generation Vineyarder…that and 50 cents will get me a cup of coffee on the docks of Menemsha!

There’s always been discussion about the wash-ashores being the newcomers – but the truth is that we were wash-ashores too – just a little earlier than everyone else! The only true natives on the island are the members of the Wampanoag Tribe. Some people put stock in how long your family’s been on the island, but most of the Mayhew’s don’t put any stock in it at all. My dad used to say, ‘The mayhews are like a hill of potatoes – the best of them are underground.’ Today there are at least 20 families above ground.

Anne: What’s your favorite thing about fishing in Vineyard waters?

Jonathan: It had always been the freedom of making your own choices and the challenge of making a living out of fishing here. But that’s changed a lot with government regulations. Some of them are good, don’t get me wrong – but they’ve really hurt the small fishing communities along the east coast. Maybe it wasn’t their intention, but it’s been the consequence. We’ve lost a lot of access to the big fisheries, the corporations. It’s been painful and destructive. Similar to agriculture and the damage done to the small farm. Sadly, it’s been a long fight with little satisfaction.

Anne: Where’s the best place to take kids to fish?

Jonathan: Up-island, I have to go with off the dock’s in Menemsha. Dutcher’s dock is public, has easy access, not a large expense – all you need is a small rod and a pack of frozen squid. You can also fish off the jetties. Another option is beach fishing – you need a little more knowledge (like sunrise and sunset are best). And even if you don’t catch anything, it’s still fun.

Down-island I’d hit the bridges between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. You can get striped bass and bluefish, and if you’re lucky you’ll get a bonita – they’re fast action, big fight, you need a good rod and reel.

Anne: And the best place for a seasoned fishermen?

Jonathan: I’d go with the charters. There are fantastic fishermen taking folks out all over the island.

For a list of great Martha’s Vineyard fishing charters click here.

You Know It’s Spring on Martha’s Vineyard When…

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!!!

Places to Explore on Martha’s Vineyard: Sheriff’s Meadow

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!

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