On Martha's Vineyard
Vineyard Open House Real Estate
Vol I, No. 2 December 2014
Headlines
Wind and Rain and Nor'easters, Oh My!
Vineyard Stories: When Santa Is Your Grandmother
Mortgage Trends
Market Update
On the Market
Home under $500,000
Home under $1M
Home under $2.5M
Next Issue
The Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown sparkles for the season.
Wind and Rain and Nor'easters, Oh My!....
Winter and the holiday season are in full swing on Martha's Vineyard. As I write this the wind is howling outside with gusts over 50 mph. It has been raining all day and water is flooding through the streets.
BUT, I am on the Vineyard. The wood stove is cranking out the heat and if I put my head outside the front door, I can hear the comforting blast, like that of an old steam engine, of the ferry as it prepares its return to Woods Hole.
A walk through town will reveal store windows dripping in sparkling lights, cheery window displays and comfy come-ons to buy warm and cozy presents. You can walk into your favorite restaurant (except maybe for Offshore Ale) and get a seat, and holiday events such as the choir sing at Edgartown's Old Whaling Church bring a tear of rememberance to your eyes.
However, the holiday season is just another wonderful reason to be on the Vineyard, it doesn't really matter
Main Street, Christmas afternoon, shows only a pair of solitary walkers (my daughter & son-in-law)
what time of the year it is. It is always a pleasure. And as we head into 2015, I look forward to seeing you again on-island during those moments when you can break away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland.
Main Street Vineyard Haven, a tree lights up next to the Capawock Theater.
Here, our mission is to help you create your own Vineyard stories and forge memories that will last a lifetime and echo through the generations. Those are the best kind. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!--David Lott, Owner, VOHRE
When Stanta Is Your Grandmother, Or How the Red Stocking Fund Began
"Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!" That’s how my grandmother, Addie Crist, would greet me when she came to visit my parents and me for the holidays. She would walk in the house and the front hallway — all five-feet-two inches of her — grab both my hands and dance around in a happy circle and repeat the phrase over and over. If any season or time of year ever came to represent a person in my life, Mimi’s, as I called her, was most definitely Christmas. What I didn’t know at that time of my youth was that Addie Crist’s special season was eventful for far more than just me and my family. She had been married to Harris Crist and lived for many years in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was the longstanding managing editor and ultimately co-owner of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. The Eagle was a respected daily in its day and had bureaus throughout the world, competing fiercely with all the majors papers.
Harris sold the paper in the mid-thirties and retired to the Vineyard in 1936. He and Addie had a home designed and built that overlooked the harbor in Vineyard Haven. An elegant structure with five fireplaces, a stately study with a harbor view and five bedrooms, it would be their home until it was sold to the Strock family in the early 1950s.
While Harris was an avid golfer and played “every day there wasn’t snow on the ground” at the Oak Bluffs Country Club (now Farm Neck), Addie immersed herself in Vineyard life. A talented musician who could play by ear, she played the organ at Grace Church. While there, she must have been struck during her favorite time of the year to realize how many children did not receive any presents at all or simply needed clothes such as a jacket or mittens.
Thus, in 1938 Addie got a few friends together and knitted six Christmas stockings, filled them with toys and gave them away to needy children. It was a small beginning, but now 76 years later, the Red Stocking Fund is a major Island initiative that helps more 300 families each year, and most important to my grandmother, spreads the message of Christmas giving far and wide.
I remember vividly Addie’s last Christmas at our house in 1965. Despite a weakened heart, she danced with me in circles in the front hallway and happily gave out her presents on Christmas morning. The next day, while resting in bed with the sounds of her children and grandchildren filling the air around her, she put down her book, folded her glasses on the side table and quietly passed away. She had determinedly made sure that she had spent one last Christmas with those she loved most.
Merry Christmas, Mimi! Christmas is coming, Christmas is here!
- See more at: http://vineyardgazette.com/news/2014/12/23/when-santa-your-grandmother?k=vg545c3d9f60162#sthash.oV06UKfT.dpuf"Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!" That’s how my grandmother, Addie Crist, would greet me when she came to visit my parents and me for the holidays. She would walk in the house and the front hallway — all five-feet-two inches of her — grab both my hands and dance around in a happy circle and repeat the phrase over and over. If any season or time of year ever came to represent a person in my life, Mimi’s, as I called her, was most definitely Christmas. What I didn’t know at that time of my youth was that Addie Crist’s special season was eventful for far more than just me and my family. She had been married to Harris Crist and lived for many years in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was the longstanding managing editor and ultimately co-owner of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. The Eagle was a respected daily in its day and had bureaus throughout the world, competing fiercely with all the majors papers.
Harris sold the paper in the mid-thirties and retired to the Vineyard in 1936. He and Addie had a home designed and built that overlooked the harbor in Vineyard Haven. An elegant structure with five fireplaces, a stately study with a harbor view and five bedrooms, it would be their home until it was sold to the Strock family in the early 1950s.
While Harris was an avid golfer and played “every day there wasn’t snow on the ground” at the Oak Bluffs Country Club (now Farm Neck), Addie immersed herself in Vineyard life. A talented musician who could play by ear, she played the organ at Grace Church. While there, she must have been struck during her favorite time of the year to realize how many children did not receive any presents at all or simply needed clothes such as a jacket or mittens.
Thus, in 1938 Addie got a few friends together and knitted six Christmas stockings, filled them with toys and gave them away to needy children. It was a small beginning, but now 76 years later, the Red Stocking Fund is a major Island initiative that helps more 300 families each year, and most important to my grandmother, spreads the message of Christmas giving far and wide.
I remember vividly Addie’s last Christmas at our house in 1965. Despite a weakened heart, she danced with me in circles in the front hallway and happily gave out her presents on Christmas morning. The next day, while resting in bed with the sounds of her children and grandchildren filling the air around her, she put down her book, folded her glasses on the side table and quietly passed away. She had determinedly made sure that she had spent one last Christmas with those she loved most.
Merry Christmas, Mimi! Christmas is coming, Christmas is here!
- See more at: http://vineyardgazette.com/news/2014/12/23/when-santa-your-grandmother?k=vg545c3d9f60162#sthash.oV06UKfT.dpufWhile Harris was an avid golfer and played “every day there wasn’t snow on the ground” at
Thus, in 1938 Addie got a few friends together and knitted six Christmas stockings, filled them with toys and gave them away to needy children. It was a small beginning, but now 76 years later, the
Tell us about your Vineyard stories and we'll print some of the best in the future.
Whither Mortgage Rates?
Mortgage rates dipped slightly in December, pleasing home buyers eager to get their offers in before the end of the year.
30 Year Fixed Rate 15 Year Fixed Rate
Martha's Vineyard Bank 4.00% 3.125%
Santander Bank 3.875% 3.125%
Cape Cod 5 3.875% 3.125%
TIP: Paint Your Trim. Peeling paint on the trim of a house is an eye-catcher a home seller should avoid. I have seen so many houses that look down in the mouth simply because the trim is shabby. Trim that looks in good shape with working gutters is an important part of good curb appeal.
Sold! This 2.7-acre waterfront compound in Edgartown went for $15M, $4.5M less than the asking price.
Thirty-three single-family homes were sold on Martha's Vineyard in November with a median price of $550,000 and a total value of $47.5M. While sales declined from October, it was still the sixth most active month of the year. For the year, 369 homes have been sold, 3% fewer than last year.
Homes, on average for the year, are selling at 93% of the asking price and 110.5% of assessed value.
Luxury Market Strong
The luxury market in Edgartown continues to lead the way with 11 sales in the month, followed by Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs with 10 each. West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah all had three sales.
Edgartown had the top 3 most expensive homes which went for a combined $23.3M. Overall, 13 homes sold for $1M or more, 20 homes went for less than $1M.
A Tale of Two Markets
In regards to pricing, the strength of the luxury market is bringing up the average sale price, but the median price of homes sold is actually lower than last year.
This tells the story of two markets, with upwards pressure on the top of the market, but downward pressure at the lower end. What we're also seeing is that homes that are well-prepared to go on the market--appliance upgrades, up-to-date-maintenance, fresh paint--are selling. Add in a good location, and they go quickly.
Here's a sampling of homes for sale in three different price brackets. Please contact me if you want to know more, or want to investigate other properties.
Edgartown, 43 Boylston Drive - $485,000
3 BRs, 1.5 BAs, 1,344 SF, .50 acre
Set on half an acre, this cape style home is located in a nice development with easy access to all island towns. Features include southern yellow pine floors on the first floor, kitchen with stainless steel appliances and center island. The kitchen is open to the dining area and a separate living area. First-floor bedroom, many updates w/large deck and a nice size backyard. Near bike paths. Send me more information about this home!
West Tisbury - 145 Great Plains Road - $679,000
4 BRs, 3 BAs, 2,344 SF
Well-maintained Cape Cod-style home built in 1995 and sited on 1.5 private acres. This move -in ready home has an ensuite master on the second floor and features central a/c, central vac, garden shed, mahogany decks, screened porch, gourmet kitchen with cherry cabinets and walk-in pantry. Property abuts conservation and owners have the option of joining the adjacent Stoney Hill Association to enjoy the amenities of tennis, pool and basketball. Send me more information about this home!
Edgartown - 202 Katama Road - $2,150,000
4 BRs, 4.5 BAs, 3,882 SF, .50 acre
Located in the heart of Katama and reduced $450,000 from its original selling price, this custom home was built in 2007 and offers 4-bedrooms each with a private bath. A cathedral ceiling enhances the family room with a wood-burning fireplace and access to a well appointed screened porch. Gourmet kitchen, hardwood & radiant heated floors, state of the art sound, 2nd floor bonus room, den and a two-car garage. Ideally located just off the bike path and only minutes to the village of Edgartown. Send me more information about this home!
Looking out to Martha's Vineyard from the ferry coming out of Wood's Hole. That water looks cold!
Next Issue:
- 2014 Year in Review
- New to Market
- Market Update & Trends
______________
'On Martha's Vineyard' is published by Vineyard Open House Real Estate. Copyright 2014-15.
For real estate information or questions about listing your house with us, please contact: David Lott, Owner/REALTOR, 10 Union St., Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA. Office: 508-338-2495, Cell: 203-270-9357. Broker, Mary Sullivan, Sales Associate/REALTOR, Kristin Zern, cell: 914-439-2047, or send us an email
Great job! I loved hearing about the red stocking.
I have some memories of spending nights on the Spaulding farm and
Boating to some rowdy, friendly good time square dances! How is the square
Dancing these days? Carol Carpenter
Posted by: CarolCris Hudson | January 01, 2015 at 10:35 AM