Martha’s Vineyard Properties: Understanding Unique Challenges

Vineyard properties present distinct challenges that many off-island appraisers and banks simply don’t understand. Whether it's seasonal occupancy, weekly rentals, water rights, accessory apartments, or high-end homes with unique features, appraising properties on Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, or Cuttyhunk requires a specialized understanding. This expertise isn’t something that can be gained overnight—it’s built up over time and in proximity.

Simple factors like the small size of the market, limited property turnover, and the lack of sufficient comparable sales data make appraisals more complex. It requires not only the expertise to navigate these unique challenges but also the ability to explain them to an off-island client in a way that they can understand.

Ultimately, it comes down to understanding the islands like a local. While you don’t need to be a multi-generational islander, a washashore who has chosen to call the island home—who has been professionally involved in the local real estate pulse for decades brings invaluable insight. This perspective allows us to deliver accurate, reliable, and well-informed appraisals that reflect the true value of island properties, which cannot be appraised with a "one-size-fits-all" approach. I have seen and appraised hundreds of properties here in my 40! (ouch) year career.

If you’re buying, selling, or managing estate matters on Martha’s Vineyard, (or Nantucket, or Cuttyhunk), trust MV Appraisal, a local enough expert who truly understands the intricacies of this one-of-a-kind market.